"And the first day I saw you again, I wanted to make it right," Rory said earnestly. He took Ruby's hand in his. "How can I make this right, Ruby?"
Ruby looked down at their clasped hands. Her pulse was leaping uncomfortably and she wanted to drag her hand away from his. Instead she looked at him and swallowed. "What do you mean, make it right?"
"You and I were meant to be together." He caressed her hands slowly. "We could leave our respective spouses and start over together, just the way we were always meant to be."
His eyes clung to hers. "I have been thinking about it for years. What if I left Sue-Ann and came to find you? Would you have accepted me? Would you see how much I still love you? Hadn't gotten over you, not even for a second?"
Ruby dragged her hand from his and rubbed it slowly. "Tonight is my anniversary. I can't be hearing this." She almost got up out of her chair but then she spotted the smiling waiter who had taken their orders heading down to their table.
She sat back in her chair and pasted on a smile for the waiter. When he left after a friendly bon appétit she looked at Rory, a look of panic in her eyes. "Don't you dare speak to me like that again, you hear me!"
Rory nodded. "Okay. Have it your way, but you still feel something for me, don't you? And it scares you."
"Shut up," Ruby growled. "I mean it."
Rory made a gesture of zipping his lips but his eyes had a knowing look, as if he knew that he had managed to unsettle her big time. Ruby picked around her fish slowly, but it was huge and her appetite had fled.
"You do realize that Sue-Ann lied to you all those years ago, don't you?" she asked, remembered pain in her voice.
Rory nodded. "She confessed her role in it a few weeks ago but I had my suspicions. I really wanted to tell you I was sorry back then. I actually searched for you for a little after that—over a year."
He sighed, sitting down in his chair. "I was low on emotional fuel and everything was just bleak and dreary without you around. I hadn't managed to move from the old place yet. A part of me was still hoping that you would come back to me at the old place. I prayed and hoped that you would see some sense and come back.
"One night—I think it was Christmas Eve, or the night before; I am not sure now—I got several presents. They were under the tree in the living room and two of them were wine. I have no head for wine, never did. I drank them, though, and I wasn't quite drunk but very buzzed when Sue-Ann found me in the living room singing Christmas tunes off key under the tree.
"She had on your perfume; I don't know why. She had been trying to copy you for a while after you left. I had found it kind of creepy, so I told her to stop, but she kept wearing the perfume.
"That fateful night that she saw me under the tree she kept declaring that she loved me and she actually lay on top of me, kissing me. I slept with her. Didn't remember much of what happened but the next morning I woke up beside her."
It was Ruby's turn to wince.
"She found out she was pregnant the same day I got through with the school of religion at university. I had to marry her."
Ruby nodded. "Sorry. I would not wish Sue-Ann on anyone."
"How did you meet Ian?" Rory asked. "Was it the romance of the century, and are you happy now?" He stiffened his body, not really wanting to hear, but anticipating her reply at the same time.
Ruby considered not telling him. She had a good life. She wasn't exactly happy but that was not really Ian's fault. He was a good husband.
She sighed. "Ian and I met at an event right here, six years ago. His band was recommended to us. My business partner Cynth and I used the band for an event."
She stirred her drink and almost forgot that Rory was in front of her. Her mind wandered to the past...
Chapter Six
May 2004
"The guy who recommended them said that there are six of them in the band." Cynth was whispering to Ruby, wide-eyed, as one by one they filed past both of them and stood in the shadows, clipboard in hand.
Ruby was antsy. This was her first large event. Cynth had started the event planning business, Let's Party, two years earlier and was on the verge of closing the business when she arrived in Montego Bay, brokenhearted and listless and looking for something to sink her teeth into.
Fortuitously they had been neighbors in the same apartment complex and they had immediately hit it off in the laundry area one Sunday. Cynth had wanted a listening ear for her business woes and Ruby had gladly listened to her problems instead of dwelling on her broken heart.
Cynth had invited her to partner with her in running the business. Having not used all the money that her grandmother had bequeathed upon her for college because she had a scholarship, Ruby invested in Let's Party.
Ruby and Cynth stood in the shadowy hallways of Marcus' that rainy evening for a send-away party for one of the region's favorite policemen. Cynth was eight years Ruby's senior and actively man hunting and having a field day of it.
"I am not into police officers," Cynth said staunchly. "The job is too risky," she was whispering fiercely to Ruby, "but is that a member of the band?"
Cynth was literally jumping on spot.
Ruby looked around to see who she was so excited about and almost started jumping as well.
"Ooh la la," she whispered, the clipboard almost dropping from her hand. "He is eye candy."
He was the color of milk chocolate and had light, almost golden eyes. The combination was stunning: dark skin light eyes, hunky body, sexy smile.
"He's wearing contacts," Cynth said when he drew near. "Surely that can't be his real eye color? Look at his biceps. Ruby, I think I am shivering."
And then he did the unpredictable; he almost stopped near them. He had a case in his hand.
"Excuse me, ladies," he asked smoothly, "where is the band supposed to set up? The stage is not big enough."
Cynth was so busy drooling, Ruby had to stepped forward to answer him. "Yes... er... sir."
He chuckled. "Ian Scott."
"Yes, Mr. Scott. We were thinking..."
He shook his head, "Ian. My father is Mr. Scott. In fact he is somewhere around here. He is a friend of the inspector."
"Oh...er... sorry." Ruby almost forgot what she was going to say. "Can the pianist set up at the left side of the stage? That would give the drum set ample room."
"I suppose so." He looked at the stage and then back at her. "What's your name? I can't really call you Shorty, can I? I hear that is a disrespectful way to address women."
"You can call me Shorty." Cynth stepped forward, finally gaining some composure. "I wouldn't mind."
Ian looked at Cynth as if he didn't remember that she was there. She was almost the same height as he was.
He chuckled. "Could I have your names, please? I heard you were organizing this shindig."
"Yes," Cynth said before Ruby could speak. "I am Cynth."
Ian nodded and when he didn't hear any other name he looked at Ruby quizzically. "And your name?"
"Ruby." Ruby inhaled nervously. "Ruby... er... Lloyd."
His eyes lingered on her and then he walked toward another band member, who was gesturing to him from the front.
"Drat it," Cynth said when he walked away. "Eye candy with the golden eyes likes my friend. Why, Lord? I have been on the market much, much longer than Ruby."
"You think he likes me?" Ruby asked. Her voice was excited, like a teenager who was meeting her first crush. Gone was the thought that she had been embroiled in a very torrid love affair that ended badly just a few months before; all she knew was that she felt alive again. "Hush Cynth, don't sound so downcast. There are other guys in the band."
Cynth perked up at that. "You are right. I only see five of them, though. I wonder where the sixth is. Wasn't this supposed to be a six-man band or something?"
"Eeek!" Cynth shrilled, "That one's wearing a wedding ring." She pointed at one of the guys, the pianist. "That one's delicious." She pointed to the one who was doing the sound check.<
br />
She straightened her black skirt and patted her hair. "Okay Ruby, I am going in."
"I'll check up on the kitchen staff," Ruby said, shaking her head at Cynth again. "Remember, golden eyes is mine. Where is he?"
She was joking when she said it and hadn't even realized that golden eyes was behind her.
"Is that so?" he asked. He had a cup of water in his hands and was laughing at her.
Ruby jumped guiltily and looked around. "It was a...a...a joke," she stuttered. "Have to go check up on the food… I mean kitchen... er... place where... er... food is." She almost ran toward the kitchen area.
Ruby spent most of the night on the boardwalk, in the dark. She and Cynth had prepared for every eventuality and the event was going well. She could relax but she was feeling wired and hugely embarrassed.
She wanted to see Ian again but she was too embarrassed to face him. Mortification was now her companion. Cynth came to sit beside her nearly at the end of the event and handed her a piece of paper.
"Golden eyes said to give you this." Cynth sounded miffed. "Can you imagine—the vocalist, the one with the honey voice and the gorgeous face, is married too? I think his name was Carson. My gosh, if he was my husband I would never let him out of the house!"
Ruby chuckled. She wanted to read the note but she couldn't see in the semi-dark.
"And the one named Aaron is so dismissive. I asked him why they were called the New Song Band, and what was the old song? He picked up his saxophone and told me that I could call his office and make an appointment to interview the band. He asked me which news outlet I worked with. He thought I was a reporter. Argh!
"And the big one has the cutest puppy dog eyes. I wish he wasn't so vertically challenged, and you know I am not into big guys. If he lost weight, he'd be a stunner. I think his name was Jayce.
"The other one at the piano…his wedding ring was flashing under the stage lights. I didn't even glance his way. He didn't seem approachable anyway. I think his name is Logan. And the one band member—the only one—who seemed like he was available or single handed me a note and said to give it to you. What does the note say?"
"Don't know," Ruby said. "I'll check it later."
"Check it now," Cynth said. "Suppose he wants you two to meet for drinks after or something. I don't know. Maybe you guys can get it on."
"Get it on, as in sex? No. Surely not," Ruby said, shaking her head violently. "I am doing relationships the right way this time around. After my last relationship, I realize that anything can happen. Besides, they are a Christian band. I would hope they are not the kind to say one thing and do another."
Cynth shrugged. "Who knows? I'd get down and dirty with golden eyes right now."
"That's why you are always getting your heart broken," Ruby said to Cynth, a smile in her voice.
Cynth mumbled. "Ruby, I am no prude, I am a liberated woman of the twenty-first century who appreciates good loving anywhere she can find it."
"And then when you invest time, emotions and your body with a guy you end up hurt." Ruby's voice cracked. She was in no condition to lecture Cynth. The difference between her and Cynth was that Cynth didn't mind getting hurt over and over again. Once was enough for her.
When she got to her apartment on the outskirts of Montego Bay after the event, she kicked off her shoes and read the note from Ian.
Hi Ruby, my number is 854-9000. Call me.
Ruby tried playing hardball. She was joking when she called him her golden eyes. She didn't want him to get the wrong idea. She decided to dial his number after a week had passed. If he hadn't answered on the first ring she would have hung up and forgotten about him, or so she fondly thought.
"Hi," he answered huskily. His voice had a familiarity to it as if he knew it was her when he answered the phone.
"Hi," she said breathlessly. She was fighting to gulp air into her lungs all of a sudden.
"I am working on a construction site on the hip strip," he said before she could justify her call or even re-introduce herself. "Want to meet me after work?"
"Yes." She could barely recognize the squeaky voice as hers.
"Cool. You really made me wait for this call, Ruby," he said before he hung up, leaving her with a jittery feeling in the pit of her stomach.
Chapter Six
After Ruby finished reminiscing, she looked at Rory. He hadn't moved a muscle, and he looked as if he was clenching his jaw. When her phone rang she picked it up and answered without looking at the call display.
"Hi," she said guiltily when she heard Ian's voice.
"I am flat-out tired." Ian groaned, "but I had to call you before I took a shower. Love you honey. I am coming in at around midday tomorrow."
"Love you too, babe," she said. When she hung up the phone she looked around for a waiter. She had no appetite left now, and she really wanted to go home.
Though she found it preposterous, Rory's suggestion that they leave their partners to be with each other, if she was to be honest, at one time she had a fantasy that just that would happen. But it was just that, a fantasy.
Fantasies had no place in real life and she almost resented Rory for suggesting to her that she leave her husband. She was nowhere near as unhappy as he was. He deserved Sue-Ann and her scheming and plotting ways. He had sided with her when it mattered most and that had cost them their relationship. In her book, there were no do-overs; marriage was serious business.
Rory hadn't moved and she indicated for a waiter to come to their table. He was staring at her as if he was seeing her for the first time.
"You didn't say if you are happy," he finally said after the waiter had taken their plates away. "You told me how you met Ian, but you never said how you felt."
Ruby frowned. "Why would you ask that? I am fine, Rory. I am blessed. I am..."
"Not happy," Rory said almost smugly. "You can't say it, can you?"
"I want a child," Ruby finally admitted. "I think after the baby I'll feel complete, that's all." She shrugged. "No big deal."
Rory was looking at her, his head to one side. "I can give you babies."
Ruby stood up. "Stop it this moment, Rory Panton! What you are suggesting is...is...I have to go."
She grabbed her bag and pulled out a wad of cash. "Pay this for me, will you. You can keep my leftovers. See you around."
"Ruby," Rory said softly, "don't leave like this."
Ruby held her head straight and swiftly walked out of Marcus', his words like yapping dogs at her feet, spurring her toward her car. She got in, slamming the door, making sure she locked the doors, and putting her head on the steering wheel. How dare he casually taunt her like that! How dare he suggest in his careless tone that he could give her babies—how dare he!
She shakily pushed the key into the ignition and then drove out of the parking lot. This anniversary was turning out to be an emotional drain. She drove to her apartment complex, happy that she hadn't walked because her legs were not feeling quite steady. She parked in the front parking lot before her block of apartments.
By the time she had let herself into the apartment she was breathless, keyed up, and so drained. She didn't make it as far as the bedroom. She threw herself, fully dressed, into her settee.
The moonlight was throwing shadows against the ceiling. The curtains were billowing in the light breeze, which was also rattling the wind chimes that were on the balcony.
She breathed in and out, deliberately taking long, deep breaths and letting them out slowly. She imagined that she heard the sea in the distance as it lapped the seashore. She heard the tooting horns of cars, the murmur of voices.
She tried to distract herself with everything but her racing mind. She needed to remember her college years but she didn't want to, not tonight. The fluttering of her eyelids brought back images of the past and she realized that she had never really resolved that period in her life.
August 2000
"I am not comfortable with you living here," Ruby's mother said, a co
ncerned tinge to her tone, "in this house with men. Nobody told me that men would be living here."
Ruby sighed and looked at her mother, who was as old fashioned as they came when it dealt with male and female relationships.
"We have separate rooms, Mommy. It's not as if I am bunking with any of them. We share the same kitchen. I have my own bathroom and there are just three of us downstairs."
"And one of them is your high school boyfriend," her mother fidgeted with her wedding ring. She had been wearing it for the past eighteen years of Ruby's life and she hadn't seen the need to take it off, even though her husband was long dead. "When you suggested this place I had no idea that Rory would be living here as well."
Ruby rolled her eyes. "The house is near the university campus—ten minutes' car ride—and Rory has a car, so we can carpool. The rent is more than reasonable. What more can you ask for? Me living here save us from paying a lot for rent, as it is neatly split in thirds. You would be more free to go and take care of Grandma in America, without worrying about me."
"Not worrying about you is like asking me not to breathe," Pearl said, a twist to her mouth. She brushed her wavy black hair out of her almond shaped eyes. "You promise to go to church?"
Ruby chuckled. "Sure."
"Every week," Pearl insisted, "not every other month."
Ruby shrugged. "I don't know. Suppose I don't feel well some weeks?"
Pearl sat up straighter on the bed and Ruby tensed up for a lecture. Her mother was good at dispensing parables and lectures at the drop of a hat. "The story is told of a King..."
Here we go, Ruby thought. "No Mama. Please… no stories, no lectures. I'll go to church."
Pearl laughed dryly and ignored Ruby. "So this particular king would give his son, the prince, a yearly allowance so the son only needed to go to the king every year for his allowance. When the king realized that he was not seeing his son often enough, he decided to dole out the allowance every day instead. He gave his son his daily allowance so that the prince would have to return to see him often.
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