Page 17 of Christmas in Mistletoe
Ruby wanted to curl up in the footwell, but one glance at the tiny space and her long legs made her reconsider. “Here to help,” she replied.
Chapter 7
Ruby’s facewas still a picture as she tried to clamber over her awkwardness.
However, Ruby’s flushed cheeks and stuttering had helped to ease Fran’s funk about the car. It wasn’t helping either of them. Plus, as she kept reminding herself, the whole point of this trip was to thaw the relationship with Ruby. Being snarly wasn’t going to win Fran any popularity points. Perhaps sharing something of herself would make Ruby feel more at home. Who knows, they might even become friends.
“My Malaysian curry was a favourite of my ex.”
Ruby stretched her legs at that. “You see, I told you it would lead to a sure thing.” She smiled. “My ex was a fan of my pasta bake, too. Although she did constantly tell me I might die an early death if I kept eating it. Either from heart failure or obesity due to the amount of cheese and cream.”
Fran glanced her way. “Seeing as your stomach is impossibly flat, the obesity dilemma seems sorted.”
“You never know about heart failure, though, do you? You hear all the time about people who run marathons and drop dead.”
“Don’t run marathons. They bugger your knees and then you keel over and die.”
“Good point.” Ruby paused. “Are you cooking your curry for anyone at the moment?”
Fran shook her head. “I’m not. I broke up with my ex two years ago. I’m done with women.” She snagged Ruby’s gaze with her own. “What about you?”
“Confirmed singleton, too. Meal deals for one.”
“Sounds like we both need to start a supper club. Or at least a meal exchange.”
“Or just get laid.” Ruby blushed again. She was cute when she blushed.
“Nah, I’m off that, too. After Delilah…” Fran stopped.Shit. She hadn’t meant to blurt that name out. They’d never been out publicly, which was one of the reasons they’d broken up.
But Ruby was already staring at the mention of the name, her forehead furrowed as she pieced Fran’s history together. “It was Delilah who ate your curry?” Astonishment tinted her words.
Fran bristled. “Is itthatimprobable?” She’d always worried she was punching above her weight. She didn’t need it confirmed by Ruby.
Ruby shook her head. “I didn’t mean it in a bad way. I’m just surprised she’s actually gay. I’d heard rumours she was seeing someone, but we hardly run in the same circles. Now I find out it was you.”
“It was me.” There had been something there from the first moment they met. “I don’t normally date musicians. Not because it’s unethical — it happens all the time — but rather because I know it’s a difficult road, with touring, fans throwing themselves at you, all of that.”
“I don’t get nearly as much of it as she would.” Ruby twisted her mouth one way, then the other. “I never saw you with her, though. How long were you together?”
“Nine months.” They’d been split for a while now, and Fran was over it. But saying Delilah’s name still cloaked her heart in sadness. She’d wanted it to work, but it hadn’t.
“My dads knew, and my colleague, Damian. But apart from that, I was sworn to secrecy. It couldn’t get out while she was trying to make it big, so we had to be super careful everywhere we went.” Fran shook her head, remembering. “It was more than tiresome. Plus, I’ve been out and proud since I was 17. When you have two gay dads, you don’t have to hide who you are. Going back into the closet was hard. My parents hated it as much as me. Plus, they could see that despite us getting along, it was never going to work. But I had to learn the hard way.”
“I bet.” Ruby paused. “No wonder you snapped off her music earlier.”
Fran took a deep breath, then shrugged. “When we broke up, I asked to be taken off her team, and she endorsed it. But she’s off on tour now, and things are really hitting the big time. I’m pleased for her, but she needs to be who she is. Come out as queer.”
“Why wouldn’t she, though? It’s hardly taboo anymore. Maybe in the film or TV industry. But in music, people have always been able to be way more themselves.”
“That’s the irony, isn’t it?” Fran was quiet for a moment. “Does whatever I tell you in this car stay right here?”
Ruby nodded. “Of course. You have my word.”
Fran hoped she could trust Ruby. She was in the business, too, and she didn’t strike Fran as the gossipy type.
“For Delilah, it’s her parents. She might be the woman of the moment with chart-topping hits, but her parents are crazy-religious and she’s not out to them. Until she does that, she can’t be who she truly is.” Fran shrugged. “Pop stars have hang-ups, too.”
“More than most from the ones I’ve met,” Ruby replied. “Wow, I can’t believe you were with Delilah.” She waved her hands at Fran. “Again, not inthatway. I just thought she’d want a bit more of a starry girlfriend. Someone she could share the spotlight with.”
