Page 120 of Heart & Hope

He leans in, all clean-shaven, cologne, green eyes, and square jaw. “You bet, beautiful.”

I twist the wedding band on my finger. I’m not usually nervous at events, but today has been too much already. And despite the event prep coming off without a hitch, something’s off. Reed’s focus drops to my hands.

He closes his fingers around my left hand and raises it to his lips. Pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles, he winks. “Go impress the panties off them, Mrs. Robbins.”

With a wry smile I peck his cheek and wander through the growing crowd to where Mary-Sue stands. She greets me with open arms. “Ruby, you have outdone yourself, darlin’.”

“I’m so happy you like it. Elegance was the element I was going for, I thought it suited the innandits owner.” I lean into her, and the older woman squeezes an arm around my shoulders.

“Where is that gorgeous husband of yours?”

“He’s finding our table.” I glance Reed’s way. He is mid-conversation with Bill.

“Well, I imagine you two will want to settle down and have yourselves some beautiful babies very soon.” Mary-Sue grins at me.

“Ah, actually we?—”

“Ruby Robbins, or is it Rawlins? I’m getting it all mixed up between New York, Great Falls, or is it Lewistown. Tell me, which is it, Ruby?” The light voice should sound friendly, but its familiarity sends a chill down my spine. I hesitate before turning to find Starr, dressed in an apron with a silver tray propped on one hand. Her smirk is almost sickening, and when she tracks her attention to Mary-Sue, my breath stops.

Fuck me.

“Rawlins?” Mary-Sue says, confusion lowering her brows. “I thought Reed didn’t know the Rawlinses, are they relations on your side?”

“Ah, they are, um . . .”

“So, which is it, Robbins or Rawlins?” Starr says too sweetly.

“Robbins,” I choke out.

Mary-Sue’s staring at my wedding band, her focus shifting to Reed as he laughs at something Bill says. Heat rushes my neck and face. A waiter floats past, and I snatch a tall glass of champagne from the tray, throwing it down in three gulps.

“It’s Robbins, hon,” Mary-Sue says to Starr. “You know that. You should keep moving, we can’t have the guests going hungry or thirsty. That’s not in the event plan.”

“Sure, wouldn’t want to ruin anyone’s evening.” She swaggers off, tray held high as if that’s herfuck-you-Rubytrophy.

“That girl is so daft, I swear, she’ll forget her own head one of these days.” Mary-Sue turns from the receding waitress’s form to me.

Fuck. That was too close. I thank my lucky stars she didn’t bring up the lawsuit. I have no idea how I would explain that away to Mary-Sue.

My last event in Montana must go smoothly. Stalking my way to the hostess at the other side of the big doors with the tablet to check in guests, I give her a warm smile. “Everyone here?” I ask.

“Every last one. Your party is goin’ to be stellar, Ruby.”

“Mary-Sue’s party, and yes, it’s all going to plan. Thanks. Keep me posted if you have any worries with guests or anything else, okay?”

“Sure, enjoy your night.”

I weave through the mingling of perfumes, tuxes, and shimmering floor-length dresses toward Reed. The seat beside him is empty, his arm draped over it, as if he’s saving it. He’schatting, laughing, and when he takes a sip of his beer and I scan the table, the next man I find runs heat up my spine.

Morley.

Fuck me.

And he’s sitting right next to Mary-Sue.

I lean over Reed and let my hair fall around his face as I level my lips to his ear with my softest whisper. “Morley is hereagain? How the hell does that happen twice?”

He turns, glancing up at me with a cheeky wink. One that tells me he’s got everything under control. I hope he does.

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