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Of course, the nagging question, the one she refused to acknowledge or think about, was the one she needed to ask the most.
What would it take for Ruby Montgomery to be happy again?
Chapter 21
The crap mood Travis had been in since he left Ruby’s followed him to his brother’s place. He tried to shake it, Lord knows he’d tried, but alcohol and the darkness he felt didn’t mix, and he was smart enough to know it. Neither did people for that matter, but he was here now and couldn’t leave. Zach was back at the cottage with some girl he’d met on the golf course, and unless he left town, there wasn’t anywhere else he could go and be alone. Travis was stuck here and would make the best of it.
Regan’s bungalow was beautiful, and though the yard was not nearly as impressive as Ruby’s, there was more than enough space to host a get-together. The two-tier deck was something out of Better Homes & Garden, and Travis watched from inside as Wyatt barbecued up a storm, while Regan kicked back with Gwen and Brad. Their son, Patrick, was at a sleepover, leaving Travis the odd man out.
He frowned and reached for the garden door, his hands full of the condiments he’d been asked to grab, when the doorbell went off. No one could hear it outside, and with a halfhearted curse, he set down the condiment tray and headed for the foyer. The place was open concept, bright and sunny from an abundance of windows, but Travis noticed none of this as he walked to the door. It must be Hudson and his wife, Becca. The oldest Blackwell had called earlier to say he’d be late—something about a dirty diaper.
He yanked open the door and froze. Ruby stood in front of him, a bottle of wine in one hand, a mixed bunch of summer flowers in the other. She wore a baby-blue sun dress that left her shoulders bare, and white slip-ons. Her hair was left loose, the soft, silky waves spilling down her back, and the only makeup she sported was light pink gloss on her lips. She looked so damn beautiful, and if he was feeling in a generous mood, he’d have planted a kiss on her so fast, her head would spin.
But he wasn’t in a generous mood. In fact, he was still mad as hell. He arched an eyebrow questioningly. “You lost?”
She was surprised, that he could see, but like always, she recovered quickly. “No, Travis, I’m not lost.”
At that moment, a car door slammed shut, and they both had a look over Ruby’s shoulder. Hudson and Rebecca made their way up the steps, the baby and all the necessary paraphilia associated with said baby in tow. Rebecca had that flustered I hope I remembered everything look, and might have said something more, but one look at Travis and she offered a quick hello before heading inside.
“Hudsy,” Travis said, offering his hand for a shake and settling on a diaper bag in return. His brother grinned and nodded to Ruby before following his wife.
“You sure you’re not lost?” he asked.
“I didn’t realize it was a dinner party.” She looked like a deer caught in the headlights.
“Brad Bergen and Gwen are here too.”
“Oh.”
“That all you got?” He watched her closely, his anger held in check—barely. She looked uncomfortable, which made him feel pretty damn good. Childish, he knew, but there you had it. His tone must have set something off, because her eyes fired up and her chin jutted out.
“Are you going to let me in?”
“Not sure. Depends.”
She looked like she wanted to throw a punch. “On what?”
“On how effectively you convince me to move out of the way.”
She said something unintelligible, and her eyes narrowed. “I could move you if I wanted to.”
“I’m sure you could. A well-placed jab with your fist…and knee to the groin. But I’m looking for words.”
Travis was starting to enjoy himself. He leaned on the door and waited. He knew he’d won at least a small victory—she was standing in front of him. But a part of him needed to hear the words, and damn if he was going to feel bad about it.
Ruby’s chest rose and fell rapidly. Her cheeks were flush and her eyes flashed bloody murder.
“What do you want me to say, Travis? That I acted like an idiot before?”
“Sounds about right.”
“That I’m sorry?”
“I’ll take that too.”
“That you drive me freaking crazy, and I lose my mind when I’m around you?”
He waited a heartbeat. “Why?”
