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When I noticed Miss Dottie’s complexion begin to get pale and her eyes growing heavier and heavier with each blink, I knew it was time for me to let her rest. I couldn’t hide in the senior center forever. It was time I went out and faced my problems in the real world.
“I’ll come by and see you tomorrow,” I promised as I said my goodbyes.
“Where are you going to stay?” she asked.
I shrugged. “I guess with my mom.”
It wasn’t a permanent solution, but it was either that or sleeping in my car. I just needed to do something to get enough money so I could at least afford the Come On Inn, which was the only accommodation in town besides an Airbnb, which I couldn’t afford.
I was hoping I could pick up some shifts at either The Tipsy Cow or The Pig Pen, which served as the sole fine dining establishment. I’d been a server off and on for the entire eight years I’d lived in New York. It was the only way I’d been able to pay my bills between gigs.
If neither of those places were hiring, I’d have to resort to The Greasy Spoon. It wasn’t that I thought I was above being a server at the diner; it would actually be the place where I’d be the happiest. I’d been a cocktail waitress and also worked in Michelin-star restaurants, but I was most at home in casual dining. The problem was, I didn’t think working side by side with my mom would be a great idea.
My mind was working overtime to come up with alternate solutions as I bent down and kissed Miss Dottie on her cheek.
“You could stay with me,” she offered as she patted my hand.
“Where?”
“Here. You can sleep on the couch, or I can have Emilio bring in a cot.”
As tempting as it was to pull a Rose from the book In Her Shoes (also the movie starring Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette), where Cameron’s character moves in with her grandma in a retirement community when her life was falling apart, I knew that wasn’t the answer to my problems. It wasn’t even a short-term solution.
“I wish I could, but they don’t allow overnight guests.”
“No one has to know.” She pulled my hand, so I leaned down closer to her as she whispered, “I can smuggle you in after visiting hours.”
“In this place, everyone would know.”
“Yes, you’re probably right.” She patted the top of my hand. “I know that this isn’t what you wanted, but I’m so happy to have you here a little longer and have more time with you. And you never know what’s around the next corner. This could be the best thing that has ever happened to you. A blessing in disguise.”
I smiled and nodded, even though I did not share her optimism. I did agree with one thing she said, though. If this was a blessing, it was definitely wearing a Groucho Marx nose, mustache, and black-rimmed glasses with bushy eyebrows attached.
On my way out of the building, I checked the time. It was almost three in the afternoon. I could hit up both The Tipsy Cow and The Pig Pen before they opened to see if they were hiring. With any luck, I’d have a job before I headed back to the trailer and asked my mom if I could stay a little longer.
I pulled my headphones out of my purse and was about to start a podcast to listen to as I walked the mile and a half to the Tipsy Cow when I heard my name. The sound stopped me in my tracks.
“Ruby!”
It was Kane. I knew that voice anywhere.
This morning, I’d awoken in his arms and snuck out of his bed after staring at his sleeping face like a stalker for nearly an hour. I’d wanted to avoid any awkward goodbyes. I didn’t want to take the chance of him telling me that he was feeling guilty about what we’d done or even just seeing regret in his eyes. I wanted to keep what we’d shared perfect, at least in my mind, and not let anything tarnish it. I would have had a clean getaway if I’d been on the cruise ship. But now it seemed I was going to have to face the music.
Last night, I’d felt so bold, and empowered, but in the harsh light of day, I wasn’t feeling as adventurous. When I’d done the things I’d done with him, and said the things I’d said to him, it had been because I thought I’d be long gone by now. I figured it would be another eight years, at least, before I’d see him again.
But I was wrong.
My heart was pounding wildly against my ribcage as I slowly turned around. As soon as I saw him, my pulse quickened, and my mouth watered. Kane walked toward me, looking sexier than any man had the right to look. He wore a white t-shirt that molded to his broad, sculpted chest, blue jeans that were worn in all the right places, Timberland work boots, and a baseball cap. His eyes were shadowed, but sunlight shone on his strong jaw, peppered with stubble.
It was so unfair that he had to be that good-looking. Even if I wanted to, there was no way I’d be able to play it cool. I could feel my cheeks heating with a flush.
I lifted my hand in an awkward wave. “Hey.”
“You’re still in town,” he was saying it as if he couldn’t quite believe it.
“Yep. I, um, the job I had lined up fell through. So, yeah, I’m still here.”
“I overheard you talking to Miss Dottie.”
