"Sure," she said. "I'll have a Coke."
"And?"
She looked at me, confused. "And ice?"
"That's it? Just a Coke?"
"Yup." She smiled. "I'm driving tonight. And I don't really drink anyway."
I turned back to the bar and ordered two Cokes. Adam caught my eye over his shoulder and raised an eyebrow. I ignored him.
We talked so much that we lost track of time. We closed the bar that night.
* * *
I turned back to the bar and called over the bartender. "Can I get a Coke?"
Adam looked at me.
"What?" I said.
"Nothing." He was smiling.
"Don't."
"I didn't say a word."
I picked up the Coke and turned from the bar. Ruby had moved from the column, but she didn’t get far. She was talking to Olivia, Adam's wife, near one of the high-top tables at the edge of the room. She was laughing at something Olivia said, and theexpression on her face was different from the one I'd seen just before, lighter.
Adam and I crossed the room toward them.
"There she is," Adam said.
Ruby looked up. A half smile flickered across her face when she saw me, but then she looked at Adam, and the corners of her mouth tugged up further, spreading her smile over her entire face.
"Adam." She hugged him. "I feel like I haven't seen you in ages."
"You look wonderful, Ruby.”
"You're sweet." She said it simply, without deflecting, the way she always did with Adam.
“How’s Jeremy doing at Pratt?”
“Great! I’m so proud of him, even though I’m constantly checking on him. I can’t help myself,” she said with a laugh.
“He’s a good kid, but I know how it is. Olivia was ready to move into Jenna’s dorm when she first went to college.”
“Oh, stop,” Olivia said as she playfully swatted Adam’s arm. “I wasn’t that bad. But trust me, Ruby, it gets better.”
“A Coke. With ice,” I said, as I handed Ruby the beverage.
She put the untouched champagne glass she was holding onto a nearby table, and took the glass from me with a smile.
“Listen, Ruby,” Adam said. “I know the big guy here doesn’t want anyone talking work tonight, but I could really use your help.”
“Come on, Adam. All I ask is for one night where we’re not talking about work,” I said.
“I know that, but Ruby doesn’t work with us anymore, and I think she can help with Ocean City.” Adam’s voice was full of frustration.
