Page 46 of Waiting for Redemption

“So…” Ruby’s voice brings me back to the present. When I look up she’s walking back over to me, and I can tell by the obnoxious singing coming from the kitchen that it must have been Marco that set off the alarm.

She gently brushes my pinky with hers, standing close enough to me that it would raise suspicion if someone were to walk in right now, and when I meet her gaze, she lookshappy. Really fucking happy, and that’s enough to make me put my worries about the flashbacks that have started up again to the back of my mind—for now at least. Though it’s hard to rid the concern completely when I’ve never had one while beingwithRuby. They’ve always happened before she shows up or when she isn’t around at all.

“Do you want to come over tomorrow and learn how to make that casserole? Maybe we can talk about… whatever is happening here.” She grins, linking her pinky finger with mine.

“I’d love that.” I smirk, glancing toward the kitchen door before planting a quick kiss on her forehead. I give her a wink as I back away and start getting the tables ready while she starts counting the register down. Everything about our shift together is as normal as any other day, except now, every time I catch a glimpse of her, I imagine what it would be like to bend her over any one of these tables and make her mine in every sense of the word.

* * *

I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous in my entire life. I was less anxious before going on missions where there were active threats on my life, but that was something I was trained for. Having an honest conversation about what I want with the woman I’m falling in love with?Nothinghas prepared me for this moment.

Knock knock knock.

“I got it!” I hear Hendrix yell through the front door, easing some of my nerves. The door swings open and he immediately runs out and hugs my legs.

“Tank!Finally, I’m starving and mom won’t let me have a snack.” He pouts, pulling me into the house behind him.

“Well, yeah little man, can’t be spoiling your appetite before dinner.” I shut the door behind us before walking into the kitchen to see Ruby setting ingredients on the counter.

“That’s exactly what I told him.” Ruby gives him a warning look making him slump his shoulders.

“Okay…Can I watch TV while you make dinner?” he asks, not looking up from the floor.

“No, buddy, no TV right now. Why don’t I get your crayons and some paper so you can color and hang out here with me and Tank. Then you can watch TVafterdinner,” she counters, winning a smile from him.

“Okay! I can get my crayons, I know where they are!” Everything this kid says sounds like the most exciting thing in the world. He runs to a closet in the hallway and I take the opportunity to pull Ruby to the side for a quick kiss. She relaxes into me immediately and I love how natural this already feels. She pulls away and smiles just before Hendrix re-enters the room.

“I brought you some wine.” I clear my throat, setting the bottle of her favorite red wine on the counter.

“Thank you so much becauseI…am out,” she says, finishing the glass she already had poured. “Okay,” she claps her hands together. “You ready to bake a casserole?”

“Let’s do it.” I nod in agreement. Ruby pulls out her recipe, and we get to work assembling the casserole.

Combine chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and rice.

Place in a greased 13x9 baking dish.

Combine crushed crackers and butter—sprinkle over mixture.

Bake uncovered at 350° for 30 minutes.

“So…what’s the secret to the recipe?” I ask, unable to pinpoint which basic ingredient we used is supposed to be themagic touch. I wipe the rest of the counter down as Ruby pulls herself up on the already clean end, holding her drink.

“I use rotisserie chicken or cajun seasoning to give it more flavor.” She giggles as she takes a sip of her wine.

“Wait, that’s it?” I tease.

“Hey, it makes abigdifference, thank you very much. Just wait until we add the hot sauce.” She wags her eyebrows at me, making me shake my head.

“How much longer?” Hendrix grumbles, laying his head on the table dramatically.

“Just ten more minutes buddy,” she says sweetly.

“Okayyy,” he drags out, making us both snicker.

I’m always amazed at how easily the conversation flows when I’m talking to Ruby. No matter the subject, it’s never boring. I often find myself daydreaming about late-night conversations with her about what our future might be like, but up until tonight that was just some distant fantasy I thought never had a chance to see the light of day. But now? Who knows, maybe it had the potential to become our reality.

I walk over to where she’s seated on the counter and run my hand along her thigh. Her eyes—much like mine—watch in anticipation for what might happen next. I rest my fingers along her hip and wait for her eyes to meet mine. When they finally do, I catch a glimpse of the same desire I can feel burning in mine. The microwave timer goes off—woefully cutting through the growing tension—as Ruby takes a quick breath in and looks over at Hendrix who has suddenly perked up at the sound.

---