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“What about a small dog?”

“No.”

“A medium dog?”

“Aiden.”

That evening, after closing, I present my research. I’ve organized it in a processing tab—breeds, temperaments, training methods, dietary requirements, studies on the psychological benefits of canine companionship.

“Before you say anything,” Ruby says when she comes upstairs, “if this is about dogs—”

“It’s about dogs.”

She sighs. But she sits down. And she listens while I walk her through everything, and she watches me talk with that look—the one where her eyes go soft and her mouth is almost smiling and she looks at me like I’m something she didn’t expect to find.

“You really want a dog,” she says when I finish.

“I want a lot of things I didn’t know I could want.”

Chapter Six

Ruby

Mother Knows Best

I’m behind the counter, ringing up a regular, when my phone buzzes. It’s my mother. I let it go to voicemail. She calls again. I let it go again. The third time, Jess gives me a look, and I step into the back and answer.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Sweetheart! I’m not interrupting, am I?”

“You are, but go ahead.”

“So, I talked to Natalie’s mother about the seating chart, and I want you to hear this from me first.” She pauses in a way that is clearly rehearsed. “Josh and Audrey are at the table next to yours.”

I lean against the prep table and close my eyes.

“Not at the same table,” she adds quickly. “The next table. So you won’t be, you know, elbow to elbow.”

“Mom.”

“I tried to get them moved, but apparently the groom’s family is very particular about the chart, and Josh is practically like family to them, and Natalie didn’t want to make it awkward—”

“It’s already awkward.”

“I know, sweetheart. I know.” She’s quiet for a beat, and when she comes back, her voice has softened. “Are you bringing someone?”

“Mom.”

“I’m not pushing! I’m asking. Because if you’re going alone, that’s fine, that’s perfectly fine. I just want to be prepared for—”

“Prepared for what?”

“For making sure you’re okay.” Another pause. “Oh—I almost forgot. Do you know Caroline Whitfield?”

My hand tightens on the phone. “The name sounds familiar.”

“She’s the groom’s aunt. Runs that big food festival downtown every summer, the one you’ve been trying to get into? She’ll be at the wedding. I thought maybe you could introduce yourself, make a connection. You know. Network.”