Page 72 of The Mr. Right Checklist

“Whoa. Testy. Are you sure this dinner is a good idea?”

I feel her keen eyes assessing me and focus on the dress, because I’ve been asking myself that same question all week. But I want to go, so I brush her off. “Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Because meeting his family is a big deal.”

And there it is, the elephant in the room. But the mouse is in the same room, speaking loud enough for us both to hear her. “Not in our case. The reason he asked me to go to the wedding with him was to get them off his back, remember? Meeting them now will help sell that.”

“Des, you buy him socks.”

Have I bought him a few pairs? Yes. But it’s not like I’m buying his underwear. “He has bad taste in socks. He needed a little color.”

“And the love notes?”

“They’re not love notes. They’re friendship notes.”

She rolls her eyes. “You hung planters at his house, and you’re still walking his dog.”

“I love Molly. Is there something wrong with that?”

“No, but you really like Fletch.”

“So? I really like you, too. Is that a problem?” I know it’s a stupid response, but I don’t want to face what she’s trying to make me own up to.

“You don’t end up mattress dancing with me every night.”

“It’s not like we plan it. It just happens.” The way we’re drawn together is one of the things I love most about us. There’s no pressure, no schedule to adhere to. We see each other because we want to and we’re on each other’s minds. Not out of obligation. But I don’t share that with Ruby, because saying it out loud will make it too big, even to me. “And it’s not every night. I’m out with you tonight, and I won’t see him afterward.” I hang up the dress and meet her worried gaze. “You’re the one who told me to go for it, remember? Why are you even bringing it up?”

“Because I love you, and when you said you’d protect your heart, I wanted to believe you could. But you’re falling for him, Destiny, and I’m afraid you’re going to get hurt. I’ve never seen you like this.”

Emotions clog my throat, but I force my words out. “Like what? Do you see something bad that I don’t?”

Her expression warms. “No. That’s the problem. You seem truly happy, not just like your normal peppy self. You’re different. I can’t explain it, but I can feel it, and I’m pretty sure you can, too.”

My eyes tear up, and I turn away from the other customers in the boutique.

Ruby moves with me. “I’m not trying to upset you.”

“I know you’re worried about me. But I’m okay. I know what this is, Rube, and I know how it’s going to end.”

“Do you? Because I feel like you’ve been fooling yourself.”

“Maybe I was, but I’m not anymore. I am falling for him, and I know he’s not my Mr. Right. But I also know how quickly life can be snatched out from under us, and for the first time ever—ever, Rubes—I feel cherished and special and safe in a man’s arms, and I like that. I deserve that. You’re still looking at me like I’m some dreamy-eyed girl, but I’m not. Hear me when I say I know he doesn’t love me, and he probably never will. He’s not capable of the type of love I need. He doesn’t believe in it the way I do. But he cares about me, Rube. I can feel it. He cares about me a hell of a lot, and I’ll take it for now.”

“Of course he cares about you. You’re an amazing, smart, warm, fun person, and you don’t just lead with your heart. You pour it into everything you do.”

“That’s just it. What I’ve realized this past month is that I have to be me, and if that means following my heart down a dead-end street with him, then that’s what I’m going to do.”

“In that case, I’ll be waiting for you at the end of that street.” She takes out her phone and starts thumbing out a text.

“Who are you texting?”

“John.” She doesn’t look up. “We need to buy a big, fast truck.”

“Why?”

An evil grin curves her lips. “Because after I run Fletch over, I’ll need to haul your ass out of there to heal your broken heart so I’m not burying two bodies.”

“No wonder I love you. But I haven’t died from a broken heart yet, and mine’s been put through the wringer twice.”