Page 2 of Holding You
Born and raised in Lovers, I left to go to college. I’d always planned to come back, but then my parents moved away, and I met Susie’s mom, and life happened.
It took me a lot longer than I planned to get back here, but I did it.
“The town will be just fine if they find out quietly.”
Even as I say the words, I know they are pointless. This is Lovers. Gossip is basically a rite of passage here.
“Well, between you and Ruby moving back within the same week, I can only imagine what they will say.”
“Ruby moved back. That’s amazing. Is this her son?”
Paul beams as he nods. “Having them back has meant the world to me.”
I don't know much about the story there, but I remember my parents talking about how hard it was on him when his daughter left.
Ruby Asher is younger than me. I went to school with her twin brothers and didn’t really know much about her. Heck, her brothers and I were complete opposites, and even though we lived in a small town, we hardly spoke.
“She’s actually moving into my house.” He points at the one next to mine. “I’m downsizing into an apartment Miles built for me behind his shop.”
“That’s great.” My eyes drift to where Susie is attempting to show Max a trick shot. He fails and lands on his butt, and the two of them erupt into laughter.
“Oh, here she is now,” he says.
The patio door to his house slides open for a third time. A bare leg steps out. Next, it’s an animal-print skirt that has a slit up the side, and from the way it flows, a pair of short,shortblack shorts underneath. Then my gaze falls to the simple white shirt that hugs her curves and displays a full chest.
I suck in a breath as her face comes into view.
Strawberry blonde hair frames her pink pretty lips, high cheekbones, and bright green eyes.
“Dad, have you seen Max?” she asks, clearly oblivious to the fact that the guy on the other side of the fence just spent a solid thirty seconds taking in every inch of her.
Wow.
Ruby Asher is nothing like I remember.
She’s grown into a stunning woman, and I can’t peel my eyes off her.
“He’s playing soccer next door,” Paul says and then he claps. “I think he made a friend.”
“What? Really?” Ruby lights up and then rushes to the fence to peek over.
I’m hit with a floral scent, and my heart picks up.
It’s been years since I’ve reacted like this to a woman.
I was beginning to think Susie’s mom broke me.
But it seems maybe not.
“This is great. I’ve been worried about him making friends since we moved back.” Ruby turns her attention to me, and a sweet, almost shy smile touches her lips.
Our eyes lock, and I swear she sucks in a breath.
“Hi,” she says. “I’m Ruby.”
“Ruby, hun, you know who this is, don’t you?” her dad asks.
She blushes and shakes her head.
