Oh? It appeared there was more of a story there. But it wasn't hers to know, and she wasn't going to push.
Mary cleared her throat delicately. “So, Ruby. Jackson mentioned you're interested in the New Orleans festival?”
“Obsessed is more accurate.” Her eyes lit up. “The arts showcase is supposed to be incredible this year. They've got installations from all over the world, plus live music, and this absolutely insane parade route that winds through the French Quarter. There's this one artist, Margaux Vartolomei, she does these massive textile pieces that are basically sculptures. I've been following her work for years.”
She stopped herself, suddenly aware she was gushing. “Sorry. I get excited about hyper specific things.”
“Don't apologize,” Braden said. “It sounds amazing. Your interest is why Jackson connected us.”
Right. The phone call from two weeks ago, Jackson's voice crackling through a bad connection.I might have a solution to your New Orleans problem.Then Braden, smooth and persuasive, explaining that his ex-wife, Celeste, needed a travel companion.
Ruby had asked the obvious question: “Celeste Russo? Tall, terrifyingly smart, looks capable of taking on any obstacle in the world and coming out on top?”
Braden's pause had been telling. “That's the one. How do you know her?”
“We were rivals or, more specifically, academic nemeses. I beat her for top ranking sophomore year. She never forgave me.” Ruby had laughed, but the memory still stung a little. She'd wanted Celeste to like her so badly back then and had competed for her attention the only way she knew how, by being smarter and more visible.
It had backfired spectacularly.
According to Braden, Celeste held grudges. He hadn’t even been sure it would work.
Ruby had offered to back out. She didn't need the drama, didn't need to spend more than a week with someone who actively disliked her. There were other ways to get to New Orleans, even if they were more expensive.
But Braden had gone quiet for a long moment before saying, “No. She needs this trip. I'll make it happen.”
And Ruby, curious despite herself, had agreed.
Now, watching him across the table, she tilted her head. “So what's your grand plan? Because based on our extremely warm reunion today, Celeste would rather eat glass than voluntarily spend so much time with me.”
Braden's smile was pure mischief. “I'm not going to trick her.”
“But?”
“But I might have neglected to mention who her travel companion would be.”
Jackson raised an eyebrow. “Babe. That's the definition of tricking someone.”
“It's strategic omission. Look, if I'd told her it was Ruby, she would've said no immediately. Not because she hates you, but because she's scared of anything that doesn't fit into her planned out life. This way, she'll show up, you'll both already be committed, and maybe she'll actually let herself have fun for once.”
Ruby rubbed her forehead. “That's either brilliant or completely insane.”
“Could be both,” Mary offered. “Braden has a gift for chaos disguised as good intentions.”
“I prefer 'controlled spontaneity.'” Braden looked at Ruby. “I know it's asking a lot. But Celeste is my best friend, and she's been drowning. She won't admit it, but she is. This trip could be good for her. If you're willing to deal with some initial hostility.”
The waiter arrived with their food, buying Ruby a moment to think. The chicken parm looked incredible, steam rising off the cheese. She cut into it absently.
She should tell Braden this was a terrible idea and ambushing Celeste would only make things worse.
But there was something in Braden's voice when he talked about Celeste. A kind of concern that came from being aware someone was suffering and not knowing how to help.
She understood that feeling. She'd been drowning herself for months now, avoiding calls from her agent, ignoring increasingly desperate emails from gallery owners.
Maybe she and Celeste had more in common than she thought.
“I hope your plan works. Because I need this trip too.”
More than she wanted to admit. More than she'd tell anyone at this table, even Jackson, who'd known her since she was fifteen and wearing her brother's hand-me-down band shirts.
