Page 23 of Together at Ruby's

“I don’t think it’s romantic necessarily,” Liza interrupted. “But it just feels off.” There was a pause, but Tate was patient and Liza continued. “Tate, I need you to be completely honest with me. Is there something weird going on between you and this woman?”

At the question, Tate held her breath. She could admit to Liza she was being harassed by Aurora Price.But what if I’m blowing things out of proportion?She wondered.And I’m reading everything all wrong?The problem at work was something she needed to take care of on her own. “It’s nothing I can’t handle,” Tate said and there was silence on the phone.

“That’s not the answer I was looking for,” Liza finally said. “I have to go.”

“Liza, wait,” Tate started but the call was over. Dropping the phone onto the desk, Tate leaned back in her chair and covered her face with her hands.Why can’t I just tell her the truth?she wondered, but she knew why. Even if Liza didn’t hold Tate somewhat to blame, she knew the woman would be angry, and then all hell will break loose. Still, she had to do something about Liza’s insecurity, and as she sat there, the reality of what she needed to do was crystal clear. Picking up the phone again, she dialed Allie.

Her friend answered on the first ring “Tate,” Allie said. “Is everything all right?”

“Sort of,” Tate said with a hint of relief from knowing she was finally making a decision to move her and Liza forward. “I need a favor. What are you doing tomorrow?”

“I have a meeting with one of my clients in Old Town early in the morning, but my afternoon is free,” Allie said. “What do you have in mind?”

Taking a deep breath, Tate steadied herself for what she was about to do. “I am going to take the day off tomorrow,” she said. “I need you to go shopping with me.”

“Shopping?” Allie said, clearly surprised by everything Tate said.

“Yes, shopping,” Tate said. “I’ve made up my mind. I need to buy Liza an engagement ring.”

17

As Liza’s eyes fluttered open, for the first time that week, she actually felt like everything might be okay. Morning sunlight drifted through the window in Allie and Vivian’s cute guest room, and she heard birds singing in the trees around the building. She had a hazy memory of a dream that was fading, and she could not remember the details except that it felt good. One thing did stand out however, and that was Tate. Whatever the dream was about, and she knew it wasn’t like the horrible one about her wedding day. It centered around her love for Tate.

Sitting up and rubbing her eyes, Liza looked at the clock and saw she needed to get out of bed if she was going to be in time for work. Yet even though it was for different reasons, Liza thought she would take a second day off. She had plenty of personal time banked and her boss was always telling her and the others to take breaks when they needed one.And maybe I can use this time to get my life back in order,Liza thought.This feels like it could be an important day. She knew the reason why everything felt so clear at last. She had picked her love of Tate. Late last night, while she tossed and turned trying to make up her mind, the reality she would lose Tate if she kept acting like she had hit her. Thinking what that would feel like finally helped her realize what she wanted in life. She wasn’t giving up on the idea of marriage or having a child, but if she had to choose, she would pick the life she had established with Tate. The woman fulfilled her and was more than Liza could ever ask of someone.

So what am I waiting for?she wondered.I should call herand tell her how I feel. Picking up her phone from the nightstand, she dialed Tate’s number. Even though it was still early, Tate would likely have been up for hours. She would either be at the gym, which was what Liza hoped, because that was what Tate loved most about mornings, or already at work. Liza felt a pang of unease when she thought about Tate at work, but she pushed it away. Over everything else, Liza trusted Tate. When her girlfriend didn’t answer, Liza was disappointed but not particularly surprised. It was likely she was on the weight bench with Nikki or, worst case, in a meeting. “Tate,” she said, leaving a voicemail. “I’m ready to come home and talk. I love you.”

Hanging up, she held the phone in her hands, contemplating what to do with the rest of her day. She would go to the house that she lovingly decorated and made a home for them. A special place she shared with Tate.And take a long hot bath,she thought.Finally let this all go.An idea came to her. “What if I put on something I know Tate likes and go to her work,” she said to the empty room. “I’ll get there right before lunch and surprise her. We can go out together and find a quiet place to talk at last.”

Reaching the gym,Tate saw Nikki waiting for her near the treadmills. The woman grinned as Tate walked closer. “There you are,” Nikki said. “You’ve been skipping our morning routine, and I have been missing my spotter.”

Happy to see Nikki, Tate smiled. “I hope to be back on my normal schedule now,” she said, appreciating the closeness she felt with Nikki. Even though the woman was witnessing the unfortunate circumstances going on in Tate’s life, Nikki never judged.She’s always there for me, Tate thought.She’s always there for everyone.

“What do you say we knock out a couple of miles on the treadmill to warm up and then hit the weights?” Nikki asked, turning in the direction of the machines as if she already knew Tate’s answer. It wasn’t surprising, because the pair often warmed up with a run together. They would go side-by-side on two treadmills while still keeping up an easy conversation, letting their bodies warm before they tested their muscles. It was all part of a process Tate loved. She appreciated everything about going to the gym. The way she could make her body feel—strong and capable of accomplishing anything.Especially today, she thought.When I go buy a ring for Liza.

Setting a fast pace on the treadmill, they had only gone a minute when Nikki started in with her questions. “So, tell me what’s in your head,” Nikki said. “Don’t leave out any details.”

As her heart rate was slowly increasing, Tate laughed. “You have a lot of demands,” she said. “But I guess it’s only fair. You’ve been patient all week. Where you want me to start?”

“That’s a tough one,” Nikki said. “You have a lot going on.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Right,” Nikki said. “I guess first fill me in on how things are with Liza.”

Tate increased the speed of the belt beneath her feet. “Well, we haven’t talked much, but today I hope to reconcile that. I’m not going into the office today.”

“Whoa,” Nikki said glancing over before she increased the speed on her machine to match Tate’s. “This is serious. When was a last time you missed a day at work?” Tate had to think before she answered. It had been years since she didn’t show up for work. In fact, she had never officially called in sick, and only in a few emergency situations had she missed any unplanned time off at all, but never a full day.The firm demands a lot of me,she thought.And all along I’ve willing given it, and yet… look at where I am now.

With a shake of her head, Tate let that line of thinking go, not wanting to ruin the day. “Never,” Tate finally answered. “But you know what? It feels really good.”

“That’s what I like to hear,” Nikki said. “What is your plan for the day then?”

At that, Tate smiled wide. “I’m meeting Allie for lunch,” she said. “And then I’m going to do something that I should’ve done a long time ago.” She increased her speed a little more and enjoyed the challenge as well as the feel of her body loosening. Blood pumped through her faster as her muscles became warmer.

Nikki followed suit. “Don’t hold me in suspense,” she said. “Wait… are you…?”

Grinning, Tate loved knowing that her plan for the day would change her life for the good. “Yep. That’s exactly what I’m doing,” Tate answered. “I’m going to buy Liza an engagement ring at last.”

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