“I don’t know anything about video games, but now I want to.”
She grinned. Could he possibly be any more charming? She never wanted this night to end.
A woman with dark hair wearing a long Bohemian-style skirt approached their table with arms extended, leaning in to kiss Flynn on each cheek. “I couldn’t believe it when Marlie told me you were here tonight.”
Flynn gave her an affectionate hug before turning to Ruby. “Ruby, this is my sister, Pippa.”
5
Flynn watched as Ruby and Pippa chatted like old friends. Maybe he’d known they would hit it off. Maybe it was part of the reason he’d brought Ruby here tonight.
“What show are you guys going to see?” Pippa asked.
“Wicked,” Ruby told her. “I’ve had the soundtrack in my playlist for years, and I’ve always been a huge fan ofThe Wizard of Oz. I can’t wait to see it in person.”
“Oh, you’re going to love it,” Pippa told her. “Amy and I saw it last year.”
“It’s my first show, so I can’t imagine it will disappoint.”
“Your first?” Pippa asked, eyebrows raised.
“Yeah. I’m from Florida. We have a lot of theme parks, not so much theater,” Ruby said.
“Well then, you’re in for a treat, and I’m sure my brother is just the person to show you around London.”
“We’ve had a blast today.” Ruby looked over at him, her expression full of a pure kind of affection that made his chest feel too tight.
“I’ll leave you two to your meal, but I hope you have a wonderful time tonight, and if you ever find yourself in London again, please do stop in.”
“I definitely will,” Ruby told her.
Pippa leaned in to give him another hug. “I love her,” she whispered in his ear.
He nudged her away playfully. “See you later, Pippa.”
Pippa waved over her shoulder as she walked away, only to be replaced by Marlie, who brought their bottle of wine and took their dinner order.
“Alone at last,” Ruby said with a wink as Marlie headed toward the kitchen.
“Perhaps I didn’t think through the logistics of bringing you here,” he admitted.
“Do you bring dates here often?” Ruby asked, sipping her wine and watching him closely.
“You may be the first, come to think of it.”
“Interesting.” She took another sip. “Well, for the record, I really like your sister. I’m glad you brought me here.”
“You haven’t tasted the food yet,” he teased, attempting to downplay the unexpectedly intimate moment.
“I’m sure I’ll love it, but even if I don’t, I’ve enjoyed the rest of the experience enough to make up for it.”
“I’m glad.”
Conversation flowed easily as they drank their wine, although he was distracted by the way the overhead lights played in Ruby’s hair. She wore it up again tonight—he was beginning to think she hadn’t been exaggerating when she told him she always wore it that way—but it shone with reflected red and blue and green tones, shifting like a kaleidoscope as she moved her head.
He could stare at her all night, or it felt like that, anyway. He’d never had much luck keeping his focus on any one person or task, a byproduct of his ADHD. But right here, right now, he felt like Ruby could hold his attention forever.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked.
