Page 23 of Heart & Hope

A large box sits in Addy’s grasp. The cake.

I jog over and drape myself over Ruby like a rag doll from behind, letting my chin rest on her head, arms hanging over hers. She smells like strawberries. Her soft, silky blonde hair is curled and down, her slim figure wrapped up in some designer dress that makes her look like a million dollars.

So when Addy gives me a curious glance, I drop my mouth to Ruby’s ear.

“Do we tell her now or later that we’re fake married?” I whisper.

She slaps the side of my head like you would a sibling. I wince, chuckling, and rub my head, glancing sideways at her with narrowed eyes before extricating myself from her soft body to open the gate for Addy.

“Keep your comments to yourself, Reedsy.” Ruby scoffs.

Addy chuckles at us, and I take the cake as we head inside.

“Reed!” Hudson calls me over, standing by the stereo and speakers. Right, that’s my job tonight. DJ. Oh, yay.

I deliver the cake inside, securing it in the space Rubes made in the fridge earlier. Hudson is at my back a heartbeat later. After a minute or so of him relaying the instructions he and Pa have been reiterating all day, I sigh. “Yep, got it. Music, then dinner.”

“Right. Make sure you’re on top of this, Reed; it has to run perfect, okay?”

“Yup, got it. Drink your beer, man; loosen up. You’re getting all weird.”

He swigs his own beer as Lawson appears through the door and onto the patio.

“Where’s Addy, Huddo? Haven’t met her yet.” Lawson glances around.

Like Hudson oughta talk. Has been hiding out here since Addy showed up. Wish those two would get a room already. Like a fucking matchmaking service, I hunt Addy down in the kitchen, only to find Ruby neck-deep in the wine fridge, her friend right behind her.

“You need another beer, Reedsy?” Ruby says without looking back.

“Nope. Addy, Lawson wants to meet you.”

“Oh, sure. I was getting there, I promise, but I wanted to talk to your ma first.” Addy is as pent up over this as Hudson.

I glance to where a gathering has now blossomed around Ma. She is holding up a bracelet. I guess she likes it.

“I’ll be out in a sec,” Addy says.

She is all dolled up in a dress that’s gonna break my big brother’s heart. And I can’t help but let my attention wander to Ruby. Bent over, I’m getting a perfect view of her ass and those long, slender legs. And then I see them. Those ridiculous red heels.

The ones that made me salivate over her the first time I saw her. I lean on the bench and force my focus to somewhere less volatile for my mind.The woman is working, Reed. Jesus fucking Christ, mind out of the gutter, man.

An hour later, and three more prompts from Pa and my brothers, I stand behind the table, working the music. With a break for dinner, I schedule a string of slow country songs to play. A small hand slips into my own as I make my way to thelong tables. Ruby bumps my shoulder and leads me to my place setting, right next to hers.

Now, in the fading light, with the miles of fairy lights we hung earlier, I take in her vision. Each of the tables is adorned with Ma’s favorite flowers, silverware, cream linens, and porcelain plates. Candles are dotted between the centerpieces. I hold her chair out for her and tuck her in before dropping into my own beside her.

It’s magnificent.

Ruby has outdone herself.

The way Ma’s face lights up when Pa brings her out for the meal and she sees every single guest seated and waiting sends a stone to my throat. I squeeze Ruby’s hand.

When I dip my gaze down at her, tears line her eyes.

Damn, beautiful, don’t go lookin’ like that or I’m goin’ to have to pull you onto my lap and make it all better.

“I think she likes it, Rubes,” I whisper into her ear.

She nods, and her face crumples a little as she leans into me more. I can tell this makes her happy, the way the emotion takes over her beautiful face, filling those brown eyes. This work lights her up. Seeing her happy makes me want to kiss that beautiful mouth like nothing else.

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