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He got in his car and headed out of Citrus Pines to the next town over in order to get some supplies and as the sun set, he headed back to Ruby’s Diner, eager to see Rebelle.
Chapter 10
Rebelle hovered outside Ruby’s Diner, peeking in the window to see if Will had arrived yet.
You’re an independent woman, remember? You can go inside and sit down on your own.
She smoothed a hand down her dress, a dress that Taylor had sneakily snuck into her bag one day at the laundromat months ago so that she had something to wear to Christy and Dean’s wedding. It wasn’t fancy, it was a plain navy cotton dress, but it was Rebelle’s favorite garment, and she didn’t want to think about why she’d felt the urge to put it on to meet Will.
She pushed open the door and entered. A quick glance around the diner had Rebelle relaxing. There were a few people inside but no one that she knew. She hurried to a cracked, red vinyl booth.
“Well look at you, pretty lady.” Ruby whistled low as Rebelle passed.
Rebelle ducked her head in embarrassment and picked up the pace, sliding into the booth and burying her face in the menu. She didn’t like drawing attention to herself. She never wanted to stand out, always wanting to blend in like a wallflower. There but missable, that way she would be left alone. A shadow appeared next to her and it was apparent that today was not that day.
“How you doing, sweetie?” Ruby’s croaky voice drifted over her. Although it sounded like she smoked thirty cigarettes a day, it had a pleasing effect on Rebelle’s sense.
“Fine, thank you,” Rebelle replied quickly and faced her menu again.
“Every day he comes in here, you know, that fine-ass billionaire, looking for something nice to bring to you each morning,” Ruby said, her tone curious.
Rebelle swallowed thickly, “I…I didn’t ask him to.”
“No sweetie, I know that. I’ll bet you didn’t want him to bring you anything, did you?”
Rebelle shook her head forcefully.
“But that’s how big his heart is, that he was so desperate to find something to please you. That’s very interesting, don’t you think?” Ruby cocked her brow and one side of her red lipsticked mouth quirked up.
Before Rebelle could reply, Will’s booming voice echoed around the diner. “There’s my two favorite girls!” He approached them, still in the same formal attire he was in this morning, his smile wide and Rebelle’s eyes immediately flicked away from his lips.
“There’s my man, I missed you,” Ruby sighed and leaned into him when he was close enough.
Will shocked Rebelle by dropping a kiss on Ruby’s cheek and she was surprised to see the old woman blushing furiously.
“It’s only been a few hours, but I just couldn’t stay away,” he replied, and Ruby giggled, pushing him away in thataw shucksway. Did Will manage to charm everyone he met? For some reason it annoyed Rebelle to see that he was the same with everyone, his easy charm, his friendly smiles and booming voice and laughter. None of it was for show. And she wasn’t special, this was just who he was.
“Sorry I’m a few minutes late, I’m usually very punctual,” he said sheepishly when Ruby finally left them alone.
Rebelle couldn’t help herself. “Not in my experience.”
But her tone wouldn’t deter his stupid smile. “It was like four minutes late, same as today and it gave you time to catch up with Ruby. Now then, what’re you thinking of having?”
She placed her menu down, ignoring her rumbling stomach. “Oh, nothing for me, thanks.”
His eyes flicked to her over the top of his menu. She always latched onto his green eye first, finding the shade so startling that she looked to the other one to escape the intensity, only to find herself drowning in the deep ocean blue color.
“Did you eat today?”
She prickled at his question, unable to shift away from the burning intensity of his gaze. “Yes.”
His smile turned playful. “Liar. What did you eat?”
She arched a brow. “You want me to list my food?”
“I want you to list your food,” he chuckled.
“An apple and…erm…” she floundered.
