Page 133 of Sassy Love
No wonder Ruby loves doing this. The hope and potential have my body abuzz with something I haven’t felt for years.
Excited to bring happiness to people.
Excitement, period.
Chapter 33
LAWSON
After hours spent fixing the last of the decorations and settings for the gala—with Ruby’s help, of course—my bones are weary. Who knew building out a space for a prestigious event would be so damn intense. The boys all came to give us a hand. Miles for the muscle. Dex and Griff got put on centerpiece duty, not daring to argue with Rubes.
Damn, it was amusing. Bossy little sister had all three of them sorted out.
Reed worked his tail off, scaling things to hang lights, despite the Met staff insisting he was an occupational hazard. That got a chuckle out of him.
Ruby and I sent Carlie home early to get ready and spend some much-earned time with Millie before tonight. She’s been killing herself over this gala. And since the whole ‘lying until we can fix this problem’ thing was my stupid idea, I feel responsible for her current exhaustion.
Plus, Rubes wanted to add some extra touches to the enormous space as a surprise, and I can’t wait to see the look on Carlie’s face when she experiences the full Ruby Robbins experience.
I straighten my bow tie, brushing imaginary lint from my tux. I’m nervous.
As I fucking should be—I could have sunk everything by withholding Serenity House’s real situation. And I fully intend on taking the blame if this implodes on us. It’s the right thing to do.
Besides, I made a promise to Carlie to protect her heart, and this is definitely included. Her work, her career, is her life. She’s done well for herself and kept a roof over Millie’s head. God, how many people can claim that level of humility?
I double-check my hair in the mirror and don some aftershave. It burns my skin after the second shave of the day. I highly doubt five-o’clock shadow is Met-Gala appropriate. Or maybe it is...
My phone lights up.
Are you on your way? Don’t be late picking us up, okay, Cowboy?
I chuckle and tap out a reply.
Wouldn’t dream of it, Princess.
My little control freak. Who am I kidding, I love it. I grew up under the guidance of a strong, capable woman. My brothers each married one. It’s familiar to us.
And Carlie just fits.
Inexplicably so.
My phone lights up again.
We should be there a few minutes early, my love. See you there!
Ma.
She’s been jumping out of her skin since she received the invite. Which is hilarious, since it came from Rubes.
But I know she is dying to spend time with Carlie and be part of our lives for even a moment. My mother is the essence of unconditional love.
I send a message back.
See you there, Ma.
The message pops with a heart.
I swipe up my wallet and keys and head downstairs. The Uber I ordered waits out front. Not exactly a knight in shining armor. I don’t even have my own vehicle, for fuck’s sake. Carlie offered to take her car, but that defeats the purpose of me picking her up.
