“He’s into you, Rio. I would be all over him if I were you.” She nudged my side with her elbow just before we reached her car.
As we buckled up, she continued, almost musing to herself. “I mean, a guy like that—perfect for a no-strings arrangement.”
Thanks for the gut punch, Ruby.
“We’re sleeping together,” I blurted just as she pressed the gas pedal.
Maybe it was the shock, but Ruby slammed the brakes, stopping short.
“Drive. I’ll tell you. Just drive.”
She pulled away, but the massive grin she shot me told that she was literally proud of me, as if I cracked the atom.
I exhaled a long breath. “I didn’t tell you because ... to be honest, I don’t know how to define it. Us.”
“Howlong ago?”
“Not too long. A few weeks?” I knew the exact time, right down to the second, but I didn’t want her to know how long I kept it from her.
“And not a word to me? How many times have we spoken since?” Ruby sounded half-mad now, but I knew she wouldn’t actually be mad at me. She was easygoing when it came to relationships. Too easygoing.
“I’m sorry.”
“I could tell something was going on between you two just now in the kitchen!” She was smiling again.
I huffed a nervous chuckle.
“And why do you have to define everything? Can’t you just enjoy the moment? Define it as sex.”
“I’m trying to. Mind-blowing sex, by the way.”
Ruby chuckled and smacked her hand against my thigh. “Atta girl!”
She was contagious. For absolutely no reason at all, I suddenly felt proud of myself.
“Simon found out.”
“Oh, no. I really like your brother and appreciate him, but he can be an ass sometimes.”
“No, it’s not like that—”
“Wait, I want to hear it all, but let’s get in first,” Ruby said, parking in front of Shore Thing.
“I don’t want to talk about it in front of Evangeline and Daphne.”
“Don’t be silly. Trust me, they have their own issues. It’s lucky we even managed to get Daphne to come. Being a cop, she doesn’t really have time for us, plus, she’s going through something, so ...” Ruby said all of thatwhile unbuckling, climbing out, locking the car, and hooking her arm through mine like I was a flight risk.
She’d met Daphne and Evangeline in Coral Bay, through the inn. As part of the local police force, Daphne had answered a few calls from there, and since she and Ruby were about the same age, they went from professional acquaintances to friends. Evangeline’s flower shop supplied the inn, and the road from there to Ruby’s heart was paved. If only men could enter it as easily as friends did.
Ruby sailed across the floor to a table at the other end of the bar.
I liked Shore Thing, but sometimes, I dragged Ruby to meet me after work in Riviera View at Life’s A Beach—an equally great mix of bar, beach restaurant, and coffee shop.
“Hi, girls,” Ruby leaned down and kissed both Evangeline and Daphne on the cheek.
I just smiled and waved. “Hey.”
I liked them a lot, but our relationship was mostly through Ruby. It was just easier with her—my bestie since third grade, and with June, who I worked closely with and who was much more a friend than a boss.
