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Ruby: Quit calling me ‘Ruby-mine’. I’m not yours, Vander. I don’t know if I want to do this with you.
Vander: Who the fuck else would you do this with? Yiayia? Is she going to be able to drive you into Toronto?
I was a complete asshole, an utter bastard, for playing on her weakness. I hated myself for it.
Ruby: You swear a lot.
Ruby: It’s irritating.
Ruby: Toronto? I’m sorry. No. I can’t go. I can’t. It’s too far. Not enough notice. It’s not in my safe zone. Can’t he come here?
It killed me to hear her talk about safe zones. If only I had come to her in the beginning. I pushed the thought away. Going down that road of recriminations that led to guilt and doubt wasted time I could not afford if I wanted to convince Ruby to take a chance on me.
Vander: Ruby-mine, I’ll take you. Happily. You don’t have to commit to anything, just hear what the man has to say. He’s an expert in the field and he’ll give you his honest opinion.
Vander: And fuck is just a word.
Fifteen excruciating minutes passed. Her dots appeared and disappeared several times over the course of those interminable seconds.
Ruby: I feel like I’m using you.
Vander: You love me, Ruby-mine?
Ruby: That’s not the point.
Vander: I’m at your disposal.
More excruciatingly long minutes passed. More of my hair turned grey waiting for her to respond.
Ruby: It’s just a business meeting. Okay? It’s not a date.
Vander: I’ll pick you up at six-thirty.
Ruby: Okay. Thank you.
Vander: And Ruby?
Ruby: Yes?
Vander: You’ve always been mine. Just like I’ve always been yours.
