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I squint down at the table trying to remember when I would’ve been at his place. “Not that I recall. Does he still live way down Heritage, in that last house?”
“No, he hasn’t been there for a while, although I believe he still owns that place and rents it out in the busy seasons. He’s been in the same condos as Wyatt for years now.”
I run my hand down my jaw. “I’m not sure Ruby was aware of that. Fairly certain she’s not.”
She lifts her shoulder. “You have all the room in the world, and the perfect place for Dolly,” she says nonchalantly. “No reason she should uproot that sweet bird all over again.”
“Mm-hmm,” I mutter.
“What?” she asks innocently.
“I see that look in your eyes, Grin.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Put all of that matchmaking out of your mind.”
“She’s such a lovely girl,” Grinny tsks. “Whywouldn’tyou pursue someone like her? I know you like the ladies…that’s still true, isn’t it?”
I snort. “Yes, I still like the ladies.”
“Well then. Ruby is absolutely delightful. And she seemed very fond of you. Why not ask her out?”
“Besides the fact that she’s not a local? She’s also nine years younger than me…andshe hasn’t been out of a relationship for long.”
That’s downplaying it, I know, since Ruby was literally a runawaybride…but that doesn’t feel like my story to tell.
She shakes her head, her smile widening. “Those are not issues at all. Except for her not living here.” She leans in closer. “You just need to give her a reason to stay.”
“Not what I excel at,” I grumble.
“Nonsense. You are so good at—” She pauses and turns to look at me before glancing at the table across from us. “Are those girls taking photographs of you?”
I glance over at the table and see the back of five heads, their phones held up high, as they selfie themselves and…me.
The fuck?
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
WAKE-UP CALL
RUBY
“It is so good to see you, Uncle Pierre.” I reach across the table to squeeze his arm as he smiles at me. “And I love The Dancing Emu.Absolutely love it.”
His eyes crinkle at the sides as he looks around his restaurant. It’s bustling around here, and there have been times he’s had to go take care of business throughout the night, but we’ve still managed to havethe best visit.
“I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to have you here,” he says. “I feel terrible that I wasn’t here when you needed me.”
“No, please don’t. There’s no way you could’ve known I was going to bail on my wedding and come here.”
He makes a sad face, his large brown eyes full of concern. “Now that I hear the details about Junior, I’m relieved you didn’t marry him. He sure played the martyr card that day. What anass.”
“No one deserves to be left on their wedding day, but…”
“Juniordid,” Uncle Pierre jumps in. “Don’t you dare feel bad for him. I’m having a hard time not being angry with your parents about signing away that property when it should have been yours. That will take me a while to work through. Believe me, I let your mother know my feelings.” His eyes lift to give me a pointed look. “But anyone who belittles you the way Junior did…it’s just not acceptable.” He shakes his head and sucks a breath between his teeth. “If I’d heard the things he said and youdidn’tleave him, I would’ve hauled you out of there myself. I’m still irate that he used the wordmehregarding you. There is nothing about you that is not fabulous.”
“Says my uncle.” I laugh.
