Page 34 of No One's Like You
Ellie, on the other hand, receives the news like a kick to the ribs. Route 66 is Ruby's dream, not hers, but they had agreed to go together. Ellie knows she would be willing to pay her own weight in gold just to see her friend's eyes light up when they started the journey. That gives her pause, because all her life she has been willing to do absolutely anything to be by Ruby's side and see her smile.
"I didn't know you were thinking about preparing for the trip."
"I've picked up the idea again, yes," Ruby answers with certainty. "You know that, for one reason or another, I haven't been able to do it, and I think we're at a point where the bar is working pretty well. It's a good time."
Ellie doesn't know whether to remain seated in the office or literally leave like a madwoman and attack anyone who crosses her path. She feels rage, confusion, and disappointment. Three negative feelings that drown her in her own stupidity because not realizing what's under her own nose is absurd. No, it can't be, Ruby is her best friend and nothing more. An attentive, caring friend with the mostaddictive lips she's ever tasted. Shit, she needs to get out of there.
"I've seen three locations advertised," Ellie changes the subject as she stands up. "They fit what we need in terms of location, space, and especially because they're quite good. With the money we have, we could pay the deposit and make some changes."
"Can you arrange the viewings?" Ruby isn't looking at her because she's checking emails on her laptop, she doesn't notice her friend's red complexion.
"We'll have to find some free time now that you're so in demand by the girls on the app," Ellie couldn't stop her venomous tongue.
Ruby looks up, tilts a smile, and winks at Ellie in a way that pinches her soul.
"Duty first," she says in a playful tone, "then pleasure. Schedule the appointments and we'll be there."
Ellie remembers that time when Ruby preferred to ride the go-kart with Isabella Duster instead of her. She chose someone else over her best friend. Ellie threw a tantrum, crossed her arms, and refused to get into that contraption with Oliver, that boy who was always sweating. At that moment she was about ten years old and could justify it, but now she's thirty-three, she can't behave like a brat, even though her body begs her to stomp on the floor, utter three curses, and storm out of the office. Instead, she pretends the comment amused her, smiles, and exits like the decent lady she is.
After helping store a frozen food order, Ellie goes out to the back patio to clear her head. She doesn't want to think any more about Ruby or this strange feeling that's invading her. She prioritizes solving the bar problem because that place is her life, the one that feeds her and where she's been very happy. She picks up her phone intending to call the first contact for one of the locations when an unread notification reminds her that tonight she has a date with Seducer64; Tom or Ted, she's not sure. She has the same desire to go as to receive a punch to the stomach, so she opens the message and, with a poorly crafted excuse, cancels the dinner. She sighs because she would like to see Ruby tonight and talk until their throats go dry. No one is like Ruby and that creates a pang in her heart. She shakes her head to push those thoughts away and gets moving to arrange viewings of the possible locations where the Early Bayou will reopen its doors.
Chapter 21
"Well, tell us, Ruby," Jerome says when the three friends sit down to have drinks as they usually do at least every two weeks.
On this occasion, the stylist has asked to move up their meeting because, being the gossip that he is, he needs to talk about the high school reunion dinner with his friends, and they haven't seen each other since that night.
"What do you want me to tell you?" Ruby asks, placing both hands around her beer, feeling off-balance.
"How was it kissing your old high school girlfriend again?" he asks expectantly.
Ruby lets out a small laugh remembering it. Ellie tenses like a reed.
"I didn't feel anything, but I have to admit she's improved a lot in that department," she says, and Jerome claps ecstatically.
"At least she's good at something," Ellie blurts out suddenly, consumed by jealousy she can't control.
Her expression shows no trace of a smile or anything to indicate she's joking. Ruby and Jerome exchange glances and raise their eyebrows.
"Well," Jerome takes advantage to continue with the topic. "And what about your kiss?"
Ellie's mouth goes dry and her tongue turns to cardboard as she remembers it. She stays quiet, afraid to say something she shouldn't that might expose her feelings.
"Looks like we put on quite a show, didn't we?" Ruby says casually.
Ellie glances at her, offended because she expected much more. At minimum, some comment hinting whether she felt anything similar to all those feelings keeping Ellie awake at night, but apparently for Ruby it was nothing more than a silly kiss to add to her list.
"Yeah, doesn't your jaw hurt from all the mouths you've been kissing lately?" Ellie snaps, feeling cursed inside.
Jerome's square jaw drops and Ruby looks at Ellie, unsure how to interpret that question. Today she notices Ellie acting especially strange and finds it difficult to identify if she's serious or just trying to make a joke that didn't land. She's about to ask if something's wrong, but her phone rings and Ruby sees her mother's name.
"Sorry, it's my mom, I'll be right back," she says, moving away from the table to answer the call.
"Bless Adele. How timely," Jerome says, leaning forward across the table.
"Why?" Ellie asks without understanding.
"Because now you and I can talk about something that intrigues me greatly, Ellie," the stylist lowers his voice. "When are you going to tell Ruby how you feel about her?"
