“Cash,” called Dad through the curtain. “That organizer guy is headed this way.”
Cash brushed his thumb over Rubi’s chin before standing up. “I’m coming,” he called. “Eat as much as you like, and if you need anything, I’ll be right through here.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” She reached for the peach shake that was leaving a puddle on the tray.
“’Kay.” Cash watched her for just a moment, his heart cramping with the knowledge that she would leave him when the lights went out on the expo and he gave her Trent’s number.
CHAPTER NINE
Rubi surveyed what was left of Cash’s booth. Price tags and receipts littered the floor. A plastic bag poked out from under a crooked table cloth. There was one box of packs left and not a stitch of clothing. Even the Sweet Birch sign sagged, as if it too had spent the day smiling for photographs.
Mr. Grammar had hovered around their booth on and off throughout the afternoon, dropping hints about having her back next year or signing for another event. She’d given him Bobby’s card, which was the best she could do at the moment. He tucked it inside his suit coat and nodded.
“Looks like we don’t have much to pack,” said Major. He’d been a real trooper all day long, chatting up the customers and taking their money. He had one of those happy auras that made others open up. They’d tell him about their vacation plans and he would recommend a certain trail or hike. By the end of the day, Rubi pictured him walking from one end of the state to the other, eating only the fish he caught and granola bars. He put his hands on his lower back and stretched. “Thanks Rubi. You saved my aching back.”
Rubi lifted her hands. “All I did was sign stuff.”
Major put his arm around her and pulled her in for a side hug. “You did much more than that darlin’. You gave my boy his dream.” He kissed her head before releasing her. She grinned up at him, even letting her bottom teeth show—something she’d been trained not to do, but she just couldn’t help herself. Major was so much like her daddy.
She kicked the carpet. “It would have been a lot harder if Sweet Birch Gear wasn’t so great.” She’d started out wanting to show up Brett and his smug little attitude, but after talking with Cash at lunch, her focus changed. She wanted success for him—especially after turning him down for a date. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to go out with him. The sly glances and little jokes they’d shared were enough to whet her appetite and leave her wanting more. What held her back was her career. Lasting relationships were hard to come by in the biz. So instead of going out with Cash, she’d sold his stock, and people had been happy to buy.
She glanced over at Cash, who was listening to Mr. Grammar thank him for bringing in such a big name. “I don’t know what you did to convince her to come, but I’m impressed.”
Cash cleared his throat, his jaw shaking with silent laughter. Rubi coughed to hide the giggles. If only Mr. Grammar knew what she’d put Cash through.
Major shook his head. “You’re too modest.” He drew back and eyed her. “We’ve got a family barbecue tonight. Why don’t you come on by and we’ll feed you good.”
Cash’s ear turned towards them while his eyes were still on Mr. Grammar.
“I should probably get back to my sister and check in with my assistant. And ” She glanced down at her crumpled shirt. “Shower.”
“Bring them with you. The more the merrier. I’m gonna be in the doghouse with Grace if I can’t convince you.”
“Well ”
Cash shook hands with Mr. Grammar, promised to be in touch for next year’s expo, and said goodbye. He joined them, putting his hand on her lower back just like he’d done many times that day. By now, she should be used to the way her joints turned to glop. Should be, but wasn’t. “Mom makes the best coconut cream pie in the state.” Cash’s words were a challenge as much as an invitation. “Rematch?” he asked.
She rolled her eyes. “How can I say no to that?”
“Whois this man?” asked Rubi’s mom, Bonnie.
Rubi switched the blow-dryer to the other hand, flipped her head over, and scrunched the roots to add volume. She wanted that tussled and tangled look so she didn’t look like she was trying too hard. “He’s Trent’s boss,” she yelled over the blow-dryer.
“I’m not sure I like this,” Mama yelled back.
Rubi flipped her head to the side and squinted up at her mom. “There’s nothing to like.” She turned off the blow-dryer and straightened. “Or not like. And you’re welcome to come see for yourself.”
“Your father and I have tickets to the Magnolia Theater tonight.” Mama’s impromptu visit all of a sudden made sense. Her parents often met at her home before a night out. Mama had a reading nook all to herself for a few hours while Daddy finished up his golf game. He kept several suits in a spare bedroom and could be ready in minutes.
“Oh?” Rubi had heard of the Magnolia Theater, Mark DuBois’s new project. How could she not when Mark’s bestfriend, Beau Mckay, was her co-star inEgypt’s Gold? “What’s playing?”
“Bandstand.”
Rubi paused with the mascara brush in air. “I didn’t know they did musicals.”
“It’s their first.” Mama sniffed as if the idea of a musical was bad enough, but a first one by a new theater was as questionable as unlabeled food in the refrigerator.
Rubi went back to applying mascara. “Mark does everything well. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.”
