1
Ruby Keller crept past a row of ornate marble statues into the gardens beyond. Her heels clicked against stone pavers as she followed a path leading away from the Langdon family estate. Behind her, the wedding reception was in full swing, music and laughter drifting on the air, as rich as the scent of the rosebushes blooming on either side of the path.
She wasn’t running away from her best friend’s wedding. On the contrary, Elle and Theo’s wedding was by far the most beautiful and amazing event she’d ever attended, held at this beautiful estate just outside London, but there were drawbacks to being here without a date. Ruby was accustomed to flying solo at events. It usually didn’t faze her. But usually she had her best friends by her side. Now, Elle was married, and Megan was here with her boyfriend, Jake, and they were adorably, disgustingly in love.
For the last half hour, Ruby had fought off the advances of an obnoxiously drunk man named Ellis who couldn’t seem to take a hint, not even when she’d pointedly turned to her cell phone and begun scrolling through her social media while he droned on about stock portfolios and dividends. So, when he went to the bar for another drink, Ruby decided to make herself scarce.
She was officially peopled out for the night and hoping to find some peace and quiet here in the gardens. Just for a little while. Then, she’d be a good maid of honor and go back inside to join the party. But, honestly, events like this were exhausting for an introvert.
“Ruby? Are you out here?”
Ellis’s deep voice echoed through the garden. It was a shame he was such an ass because he had a sexy voice, and she’d always had a thing for British accents. He wasn’t hard to look at either. But he was obnoxious to the point it bordered on harassment. She’d already told him she wasn’t interested—several times—and yet, here he was. She stepped off the stone path, walking between two rows of rosebushes.
“I saw you come out here and thought you might like company,” he called.
You thought wrong, buddy.
She extended her middle finger in his general direction as she ducked behind a rosebush, bending awkwardly in her floor-length satin dress. There was a sharp tug at her hair, and she reared back with a gasp, right hand raised reflexively in case she needed to defend herself, but no one was there. She was alone, deep in the garden away from the lighted path, her hair snagged on a rosebush.
Well, this was embarrassing. She tipped her head forward, attempting to tug free, but to no avail. Her glasses slid off her nose and tumbled to the ground, out of reach. Ruby exhaled in frustration as she reached behind her head, pricking her finger on a thorn in the process.
“For crying out loud,” she muttered. Her fingers encountered more thorns…and more hair. Her meticulously constructed up-do was now engaged in a tug-of-war with the rosebush, and her hair seemed to be losing.
“You look like you could use a hand,” a man said from behind her.
She tensed, half-blind without her glasses and unable to turn around, stuck in a ridiculous crouch lest she rip her hair out by the roots. But this voice—while still deep, masculine, and British—was different. Softer. Kinder. Not Ellis. And she really could use a hand.
“You could say that,” she said.
“Hold still,” the man said, and a moment later, she felt a gentle tug at the back of her head and fingers poking through her hair. “Let me know if I’m hurting you. It’s tangled pretty badly back here.”
“It’s fine,” she said, wincing slightly. “Do what you need to do.”
“Almost got it,” he said.
Ruby rested her palms on her thighs, attempting to balance in her awkward position. Her rescuer had a nice voice, rich and soothing. He sounded young, and yeah, she was still digging the British accent.
“You’re free,” he announced.
“Thank you,” she breathed, straightening to her full height. One hand went automatically into her hair, which felt like a disheveled mess. The man in front of her was tall and slim, with dark hair and wearing a black tux, like nearly every other man in attendance tonight. That was about all she could tell without her glasses. “I really appreciate it.”
“Happy to help,” he said, extending a hand in her direction. “Flynn Bowen.”
She took it and shook, impressed by the strength of his grasp. “Ruby Keller.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Ruby.” He leaned forward, his voice dropping conspiratorially. “So, who are you hiding from out here?”
“Excuse me?” She crouched, feeling around for her glasses. Her fingers closed over them, and she slipped them onto her face, standing to face Flynn. Andwhoa. She blinked, attempting to school her expression, because he was hot…in an adorable sort of way. His dark hair was slightly longer than what seemed to be the acceptable “dress code” for the other men here tonight. An unruly lock had fallen over his forehead. His eyes were crinkled in a friendly smile, sparkling with humor.
“See, I was already out here…also hiding,” he said with a wink. “My entire family is in there. The Bowens are longtime friends of the Langdons. My parents, brother, sisters, and all their spouses are here tonight. I’m the youngest of five,” he explained. “And the only single one. My mother won’t stop trying to introduce me to every available woman in the ballroom, so I came out to wander the gardens. And then I saw you sneaking off into the bushes.”
“I guess I’m out here for similar reasons,” she told him as she attempted to smooth over what remained of her hairdo. “No family here, though, but I’m the only single one left in my group of friends. I’m surprised your mother didn’t already introduce us.”
“I expect she would have if she knew you,” Flynn said, his easy smile never faltering. “But alas, you’re American, so I think she might consider you a lost cause.”
“She doesn’t want you to date an American?” Ruby asked.
“Oh, nothing like that. It’s just, I imagine you’re only here for the wedding and will be flying home soon after. My mother isn’t exactly trying to find me a one-night stand.” His grin widened.
