Page 17 of Together at Ruby's

“I’m sure we can come up with something,” Nikki said.

“Exactly,” Marty added as she and Rey sat with them. “This is the most creative group I know.”

Slipping from the booth to stand, Nikki nodded. “But maybe we should get dinner first,” she said. “I’m starving, and I think I heard we were having Greek.”

“If that’s all right,” Allie asked.

“Absolutely,” everyone seemed to say at once.

“Perfect. I’ll go to Uncle Peter’s cart and grab us all something,” Nikki said. “Liza, will you walk with me and help carry everything back?”

Liza was a little surprised at the request. Normally Nikki would’ve taken Marty but then she realized Nikki wanted to be alone with her.No doubt to give me the third degree, she thought.I can’t blame her.“I can do that,” Liza said. Slipping from the booth, she looked at the group. “We will be right back.

As Aurora Pricefollowed Tate through the Pearl District of Portland in her Audi TT, Tate wondered what the hell she was doing.Why did I cave into her?she wondered.I need to get to Ruby’s and back to Liza. Yet she did know why—her career. If what Aurora said was true and she could be part of saving the firm lots of money, it might be what she needed to get over the last hurdle toward a promotion she knew she deserved.I’ll make sure we keep it short. At least she had been smart enough to think of a restaurant near Ruby’s. That would save a lot of time later. There was a little Italian place two blocks away where she knew the service was good but also quick.

Pulling into a parking garage across the street from the restaurant, she slowed to make sure Aurora saw where she turned. The little red car was right on her bumper, and Tate led the way to a pair of spaces one level up. Getting out, Aurora was all smiles as she looked over the top of her low-profile car. “This is so exciting,” she said. “I’ve been trying to find new places in Portland to explore. Even with our short drive through this neighborhood, I can see there are many little shops and restaurants I need to try.”

Tate nodded. “Yes, the Pearl District is known for that sort of thing.” As she started walking toward the elevators, Aurora fell into step beside her, and their shoulders bumped. The woman was walking so close to her, Tate felt uncomfortable and veered a little to the left to add space.

Yet when they reached the elevator and she pushed the button to go down, Aurora closed in again, only this time put her hand on Tate’s arm. “I don’t suppose this area also has a gym? Maybe somewhere you like to go,” she said, her eyes taking on a sultry look. “I mean clearly...” She ran a finger down Tate’s sleeve. “…you work out.”

Tate felt her face flush from the touch, but not from attraction. The sensual gesture embarrassed her. For whatever reason, Aurora was attracted to her, and there was no mistaking it.

Again, she stepped back and that time a hint of displeasure showed on Aurora’s face. “I do go to a gym near here,” Tate said, not sure she wanted to give more information than that. The gym was special to her and having Aurora show up would ruin things. Luckily the elevator arrived, and when they stepped inside, Tate made sure she stood near the wall away from Aurora.

Neither said anything on the ride down, but once they were on the sidewalk and walking in the direction of the restaurant, Aurora started again. “So, this place we are going to, is it special to you?”

“Not really,” Tate answered. “It’s relatively new, and I’ve only been there once.” She looked at Aurora. “With my girlfriend.”

“Yes,” Aurora said. “Your girlfriend. Who I spoke with on your phone.” Her smile was smug. “I’m not sure she appreciated my call.”

Tate didn’t see any reason to answer as they reached the restaurant. Out of habit, she held the door for Aurora to step through. As soon as she did it, Tate wanted to kick herself. Aurora’s glance over her shoulder told Tate it had been a mistake. Clearly the woman was reading any kind gesture as flirtation. With a sigh, Tate stepped up to the hostess. “Table for two,” she said.

“Right this way,” the woman said and led them through the restaurant to a nice place near the corner windows.

As Tate sat, her phone buzzed, and she had no doubt it was Liza wondering where the hell she was. “I need to look at this,” Tate said as she fished her phone out of her pocket.

“Of course,” Aurora said, meeting her eye. “This is after work hours.” There was a hint of suggestiveness in her tone that Tate didn’t like, but she let it go to read the text.

“We are at Uncle Peter’s getting dinner,” Liza’s text said. “Do you want a gyro or a souvlaki wrap?”

“Souvlaki,” Tate sent back. “I’ll be there soon.”

With multiple bagsof Greek food in hand, Liza and Nikki started back to Ruby’s. “Thank you for coming with me,” Nikki said, and Liza glanced at her.

“I thought you were going to give me the third degree, she said. “About how Tate and I are doing.”

Nikki shrugged. “I thought about it,” she said. “But then changed my mind.”

“Why is that?” Liza asked. “I know you’re concerned.”

Nodding, Nikki adjusted the bags in her hands. “I am concerned a little,” she said. “But I know how much you and Tate love each other, so I am giving you the benefit of the doubt.” She gave Liza her charismatic smile. “It will be good to have you both at Ruby’s tonight.”

“Yes,” Liza said. “Ruby’s is special, and it is where we met, so—” Out of the corner of her eye, Liza saw something that made her heart nearly stop. She froze on the sidewalk and stared.

Nikki took a couple more steps but then paused as well and followed Liza’s gaze. “Oh shit,” Nikki muttered under her breath, but Liza was already in motion. Through the window she clearly saw Tate sitting at a dinner table with another woman. Someone with long auburn hair.

Storming inside she brushed by the hostess and made a beeline for the table where her girlfriend sat with someone else. At the last second, Tate glanced over, and her eyes widened when she saw Liza.She looks guilty, Liza thought for a fleeting moment.Maybe this is what she’s been doing behind my back all long.

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