Page 28 of Together at Ruby's

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Driving across Portland with Allie on the way to Ruby’s, Tate felt a new kind of excitement. After a long day of searching, she had found the perfect ring for Liza. When the shopkeeper of the amazing antique store reached into the display case, Tate held her breath. After seeing so many rings that day, she figured it was her last hope. The woman set a small, red velvet box on the glass countertop. “This is what you want to give to a woman like you described.” she said. “She is special and deserves a ring that has emotion.”

Tate nodded. “You are right,” she said and looked at Allie. “Would you agree?”

With a smile, Allie clasped her hands together. “I do agree with it completely,” she said. “Now open that thing before I go crazy waiting.”

With a laugh and a tingle of excitement, Tate picked up the box and held it in her palm for a moment, closing her eyes and wishing the ring was the one she was meant to find for Liza.Let this ring have a history of long, loving marriages,she thought. Let it be a ring that protects our love.Finally, Tate opened her eyes and lifted the lid. Inside was a brilliant round-cut diamond surrounded by smaller rubies. When it caught the light, it almost seemed to glow. A word popped into Tate’s head.Dazzling.She heard Allie suck in a breath as Tate met the shopkeeper’s eye. “It’s beautiful,” Tate said. “It is exactly what I’m looking for.”

The woman’s wrinkled face broke into a wide smile. “Of course, it is,” she said. “I’ve had that ring a long time, as if it was only meant for you and your future bride. Have you waited a long time to marry this woman?”

Feeling a faint blush on her cheeks, Tate nodded. “Yes, I have. Hopefully not too long.”

Seeing Ruby’s neon sign ahead, Tate thought of her words. She had truly meant them. Losing Liza would devastate her, but it might also be her own fault for waiting so long. Hopefully, tonight she would be able to convince Liza to come home. “Tate,” Allie started, making Tate look over. “I have to ask you a question.”

“All right,” Tate said. “I’m ready.”

“Well, maybe it’s none of my business, but I was wondering what your plan was is around the actual proposal.”

At that, Tate sighed. “I wish I knew,” she answered. “I had big ideas of taking her away somewhere, maybe back to Hawaii, but for now, I need to focus on getting Liza home with me. And then we’ll see what happens.” As she pulled into the bar’s parking lot, she thought about Allie’s question.What will I do?she wondered, and then remembered how she felt finding the ring and knew her heart would tell her when the time was right.

Well into herthird margarita and looking forward to the next one, Liza wondered if Tate would show up at Ruby’s tonight. Considering she had not bothered to go to work, the woman would have no excuse for not coming to help prepare for Pride tomorrow.Unless whatever she is doing monopolizes her into the evening, Liza thought.It’s not like anyone is giving me any information. Frustrated, she took another sip of her delicious, traditional, tequila-laced margarita and contemplated what to do next. Amazingly, Allie had yet to arrive, and Liza wondered if she was somehow in on whatever it was that Tate was doing.But does that really make sense?Or am I grasping at straws?

Deciding she wanted answers, Liza looked for Vivian. She was talking with Kelly, Ruby’s usual Friday night bartender, while she made a drink for a customer. Impatiently, Liza waited for her to finish, and once Vivian was done, she waved her over. “Another?” she said pointing at the drink Liza had nearly finished. “Or are you going to take a break?” As Liza contemplated her question, Vivian raised an eyebrow. “There’s nothing wrong with switching to seltzer.” Liza pursed her lips. After drinking at home and drinking at the bar, she was seriously feeling the effects of the alcohol.But does that matter? How drunk do I want to get tonight?she wondered.And is there any reason I shouldn’t?

Before she could decide and answer Vivian, the door opened. Liza didn’t bother to look because the bar was getting busy with the Friday night crowd. People had been streaming in for the last half hour. It wasn’t until Vivian’s eyes lit up that Liza glanced over her shoulder to see who the woman was looking at—Allie. And Tate was behind her.

Seeing her, Liza’s heart raced a little. As angry as she was, Tate still took her breath away. The chemistry between them was undeniable, and as Liza’s eyes traveled over Tate’s amazing body, stopping at her handsome face, she felt the usual pull toward her. Matching her gaze, Tate gave her a small smile as if looking for encouragement. Liza was about to motion for her to come closer when she remembered Tate not being at work and giving her no explanation.

With a frown, she turned away but not before seeing the look of disappointment on Tate’s face as she moved closer. “Do you mind if I sit here?” Liza heard Tate say behind her.

A stool had opened beside Liza and knowing she couldn’t stop her, Liza nodded. “You can sit wherever you want,” she said. “I don’t own this bar.”

Not commenting, Tate took the stool and sat very close to Liza. So much so Liza felt the heat from her strong body and the scent of her skin. “I want to talk to you,” Tate said softly, the words almost lost as the music started. “Will you come home?”

Liza wanted to go home with Tate. The alcohol was having the opposite effect of what she thought it would. Instead of giving her courage, it was making her sad. Still, she was never one to give in to a fight, and she shook her head. “I’m not ready to come back to you,” she said and knowing she couldn’t sit next to Tate and keep her resolve, she decided it was time to dance. Sliding off her stool, Liza saw the dance floor was starting to fill and with a look around, she noticed Marty sitting beside Rey in their usual booth. Deciding she needed a partner, Liza wandered across the bar to Marty and Rey. “Can I steal Marty away for a few minutes?” Liza asked, tapping her friend on the shoulder. “I need a dance partner.”

“Oh,” Rey said with raised eyebrows. “Of course, have fun.

Marty looked part surprised, and part confused, but she was a good friend and gave Rey a quick kiss before following Liza onto the dance floor. Swaying to the music, Liza closed her eyes and tried to let all her conflicting emotions go for a minute.Just enjoy the music,she thought.And forget about everything.Yet, when she opened her eyes to look at Marty, she saw Rey and Tate had taken a spot beside them. Her eyes widened with surprise because Tate never danced.She is making an extreme effort to lure me back.A part of Liza’s heart went out to her and before she could stop her emotions, Marty leaned toward Tate. “Want to swap?” Marty asked and Tate nodded. Suddenly Liza was dancing with her girlfriend, the woman she had given her heart to, and she thought was her whole world. Moving closer, Liza let herself be caught up in the moment. As Tate put her hands on Liza’s hips, they swayed together in rhythm with the dance music.

For a moment,it seemed like everything was going to be okay. Tate had Liza in her arms, and they moved to the music as one. Although not much of a dancer, Tate put everything she had into that moment. When their eyes met, the instinct to kiss Liza was strong but before Tate could move closer, the woman’s eyes grew wider. She put her hands on Tate’s shoulders. “No,” she said pushing against her. “It’s not going to be that easy. I want answers.” With that, Liza walked off the dance floor.

Tate swore under her breath. “Liza, wait,” she said, following her girlfriend. She expected Liza to go sit in the gang’s normal booth but instead she kept going across the bar.Where is she going? Tate wondered, ready to reach for her arm and stop her so they could talk.

As if reading Tate’s mind, Liza whirled around and put her hand up to stop her. “I’m going for a walk,” she said. “Don’t follow me.”

“Wait a minute,” Tate said. “You’ve been drinking. Let me come with you.”

Liza gave Tate a glare. “Suddenly you have time for me?” she asked. “Whatever you have been up to all day is done?”

“Yes,” Tate said as patiently as possible. “You are my entire focus.”

Liza lifted her chin. “Well, I’m going for a walk. You can do whatever you want,” she said, heading for the exit.

Just as Liza reached it, the door opened and in swept Nikki with Jen, the beautiful young blonde woman from the gym, on her arm. “Whoa,” Nikki said, almost running into Liza. “What’s the rush?”

“I need some fresh air,” Liza said, pointing a finger at Nikki. “And don’t think I’m not mad at you too.”

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