Borrowing Love

Ruby balanced her phone between her shoulder and ear as she wound her bike chain around a tree. “Have you decided what you want on your cake? I just arrived at the bakery.”

“I told you, it doesn’t really matter to me. The cake is going to be delicious either way,” Katie said.

It mattered to Ruby. An ache settled in her chest and she paused outside the bakery door. “What about pink baby booties in the middle with the writing surrounding them?”

“Yeah, sure. That sounds great.”

Ruby sucked in a breath. What had she been thinking? She shouldn’t be the one planning Katie’s baby shower, all things considered. But Katie didn’t have any sisters to do this for her, so as her sister-in-law, Ruby felt obligated to offer. She wished Katie had said no.

“Any last-minute thoughts? Now’s your chance, because I’m ordering the cake in about two-point-three seconds.”

Katie laughed on the other end. “Really, Ruby, I’m fine. You’re much better at this type of thing than me. I trust your judgment.”

“Okay, but no throwing the cake at me if you don’t like it.”

“I never throw a cake when I can eat it. Remember at Sam’s and my wedding?”

Ruby smiled. She remembered. Katie had made such a big deal about Sam not smashing cake in her face at the reception, saying that “it would be such a waste.” That girl loved her desserts.

“All right, point taken. I’ll talk to you later,” Ruby said. She hung up and slipped the phone into her purse as she entered the bakery. Only one other person was in there. The man stood at a display that held nothing but miniature brides and grooms. He studied one of the couples and compared it against a picture in his hand.

The ache in Ruby’s chest intensified. She needed to order this cake as quickly as possible and get out of there.

“Hello?” Ruby called out, not seeing anyone behind the counter.

She glanced around the bakery and shuddered. Displays of different styles of wedding cakes surrounded her. Why did people only order fancy cakes for things like babies and weddings? Ruby was tempted to order a three-tier cake with the words, Congratulations, You Made it to the Weekend!

Ruby scanned the room for a bell she could tap, but then Rebecca walked in from the back.

“I’m sorry, Ruby, I didn’t hear you come in,” she said. She wore an apron with a giant wedding cake embroidered on it. “What can I do for you?”

“I need to order a cake,” Ruby said.

Rebecca’s eyes lit up. “It’s for Katie, no doubt.” She opened a large book, found what she was looking for, then spun it so it was now facing Ruby. “We have three pages of designs you can choose from, or you can customize your own.”

“I actually already know—”

The sound of the door opening diverted Rebecca’s attention and she hurried across the store to greet the newcomers. “Let me know when you decide what you want,” she said over her shoulder.

“I have,” Ruby said, but Rebecca was already talking with the small group. Ruby leaned against the counter to wait for her to come back.

The man who had been comparing bride and groom miniatures walked up and leaned against the counter next to Ruby. “How long do you think it will take for her to realize we’re just standing here and staring at her?” he whispered.

“I’m sorry?” Ruby said.

“I bet you it will take thirty full minutes,” he said with a wave of his hand in the direction of another group that was entering the bakery. “Whenever you have a group of people like that, they all want something different. It’s going to take them forever to decide—plus they’ll want to taste test, of course.”

Ruby stepped away from the counter, not in the mood to engage in conversation. “I’d love to take you up on your bet, but I have someplace I need to—” Ruby’s words caught in her throat when she saw who stood next to her.

“Parker?” she half-whispered. He looked a bit older than when she’d last seen him in high school, but he still had the same curly dark hair and obnoxiously beautiful eyes that could suck a girl in. When his eyes lit up in amusement, Ruby spun away and walked toward Rebecca. Ruby tried to get her attention, but Rebecca was engrossed in listening to a girl and her parents, who were all speaking at once.

With a sigh, Ruby glanced over her shoulder. Parker stood in the same spot, watching her. He wore a slight smirk that most women would consider attractive. Showed what they knew.

Ruby stalked to the other side of the store, where there was another book of cake designs, and she flipped through the pages.

“Really?” Parker said, materializing at Ruby’s side. “Are you sure that is the best choice? I mean, I know weddings can be a bit troublesome at times, but seems a bit dark, don’t you think?”

“I’m just making sure I consider all the options,” Ruby said before realizing that the page she was currently staring at featured a gothic wedding cake. It was kind of cool with black lace surrounding the bottom layer and black roses and pearls on the top. Not quite her style, but she could imagine a really awesome Nightmare Before Christmas themed wedding using it.

“So, when is the big day?” Parker asked.

Ruby’s thoughts turned to the baby shower. She hoped she’d make it through the next few days. “Thursday,” she said absentmindedly. Then she remembered who she was talking to. “Not that it’s any of your business.”

Parker cocked an eyebrow. “You waited this long to order a cake? Good luck with that.”

“It’s never been an issue in the past,” Ruby said, wanting nothing more than to abandon the conversation, and the store.

“So…you do this a lot?” he asked, his amused smile returning. “You don’t seem the type.”

“To do what, exactly?”

Parker’s grin widened, like he knew he’d gotten under her skin. “How long do you string the guy along? Do you make it all the way to the wedding day, or break it off right before? You obviously let it go on long enough to have to order a cake.”

He thought she was here to pick out a wedding cake. Alone. Looked like he hadn’t changed over the last eleven years. “It’s been a long time. You wouldn’t know what my type is,” Ruby said.

“I didn’t know what it was back then, either,” Parker said quietly. “Obviously.”

Ruby narrowed her eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He looked away. “You should know, and if you don’t, I guess I made a lot less of an impression than I thought I did.”

She folded her arms. “I haven’t seen you for over a decade, and you’re bringing up that one stupid date?”

“It’s only a date if you actually go on it,” Parker said. He turned his back on Ruby and approached Rebecca. His presence must have had the same effect on her as it had on everyone else in high school, because she immediately left the family she had been conversing with and followed Parker to the counter.

“You here to pick up the cake your mother ordered?” Rebecca asked him.

“Yes,” he said. “But as a surprise, I’d like to purchase two of your cake figurines to go with it.”

“Ooh, excellent choice. She is going to love it,” Rebecca said. “Which ones would you like?”

Ruby watched the exchange and wondered how long all this was going to drag on. “Rebecca, I already know what I want and wrote it down for you. Can I just leave it here on the counter?”

Rebecca glanced her way. “Of course, dear. Tell Katie congratulations for me.”

“I will,” Ruby said. She placed her purse on the counter and searched for the scrap piece of paper she had written on. She took out her wallet, three half-empty packages of gum, and two bottles of eye drops, but still no luck. Ruby finally had to turn her purse upside down before she found the cake design smashed on the very bottom of her purse. Of course.

Ruby smoothed the paper out the best she could and left it on the counter. She glanced Parker’s way and, even though Rebecca prattled on about how lovely the figurines were that he had chosen, his attention was on Ruby.

Shoving everything back into her purse, she bolted out the front door. Ruby didn’t know what Parker Loveland was doing in town, but she’d have to make sure she stayed out of his way until he left.

Parker watched Ruby hurry out the door. Her long dark hair bounced slightly with each step, and it seemed to glow as she walked into the sunlight. After all these years he still couldn’t help but watch her every move.

“Parker, did you want me to bag these up for you?” Rebecca asked. From the way she looked at him, it seemed like maybe it wasn’t the first time she had asked.

“Yes, please. Thank you.” As Rebecca rung up the cake and figurines, a flash of light on the counter caught Parker’s eye. He walked over and saw that it was a blue wallet. Tiny jewels sewn into the surface reflected the light that streamed through the window. Parker opened it and saw Ruby’s face staring back at him on her driver’s license. Except the license had expired. He closed the wallet and hit it against the palm of his hand, wondering what he should do.

“What have you got there?” Rebecca asked, walking over with the cake box.

Parker glanced down at the wallet. “Ruby left her wallet. Must have been when she was looking for her cake design.” He glanced at the piece of paper sitting close by. A rough sketch of pink baby booties was drawn in the middle with writing scrawled around it.

“If you give it to me, I’d be happy to make sure she gets it back,” Rebecca said. She held out a hand to take the wallet, but something held Parker back.

“I can take it to her on my way home. It’s not a big deal.”

Rebecca eyed Parker before retracting her hand. “Suit yourself. You’ll find her at Little Dumpling Daycare.”

Parker smirked. “So, she has kids.”

Rebecca stopped Parker with a hand on his arm. “You didn’t hear, then.”

Parker stepped back, disarmed by the sudden sadness in Rebecca’s eyes. “Hear what?”

Rebecca paused, like she didn’t know if she should say anything. “Ruby owns the daycare,” she finally said.

Parker could tell she wasn’t telling him everything but didn’t push it. He slid Ruby’s wallet into his back pocket and took the cake and figurines from Rebecca. “Thank you for everything,” he said as he backed out the door, trying not to drop anything.

It had been a long time since he’d thought of Ruby Freedman.

Parker stopped in front of a building with a dancing dumpling on the front. There were no words accompanying it, but this had to be the right place. His hometown of Amor had changed a lot since he’d last visited. It had been too long, he now realized. Amor had grown, though it was still tiny, and he wondered how much he had missed over the years.

Parker stepped out of the car and touched his back pocket, making sure Ruby’s wallet was still safely tucked there. When he walked through the front door, he wasn’t sure what he’d expected, but it hadn’t been seeing Ruby’s older brother, Sam, dressed in a bright pink shirt and painting with kids. There were several other tables filled with children engaged in a variety of activities. Two young women wearing pink shirts similar to Sam’s walked amongst them.

Sam glanced up from the small table he sat at with three little girls. He stood and walked toward Parker.

“Hey, how can I help you?”

Sam didn’t seem to recognize Parker, and he suddenly wished he’d let Rebecca return the wallet. “I’m sorry, I think I’m in the wrong place,” he said.

Sam raised an eyebrow. “You accidentally walked into a building with a huge dancing dumpling displayed out front?”

“Yeah,” Parker said with a nervous laugh. “Shows how oblivious I am. Thanks, though.” He turned to leave, but Ruby walked in. She stopped when she saw Parker.

“I just remembered, I have something to do in the back,” Ruby said, turning to leave.

“Wait,” Parker said, finding his voice. “You left your wallet at the bakery.” He pulled it out of his back pocket and held it out, almost like a peace offering.

Sam folded his arms. “I thought you said you were in the wrong place.”

“Guess not,” Parker said. He held out a hand to Sam. “I’m Parker Loveland. I went to high school with Ruby.”

Sam shook Parker’s outstretched hand. “I thought you looked familiar.” He then turned to Ruby and smiled. “But I don’t remember her ever mentioning you.”

Parker’s hands curled into fists. Of course she wouldn’t have. He was just a nobody, while she had been valedictorian. Ruby couldn’t be bothered with someone so—average. “I should probably get going. I have a cake in the car.”

“Let us at least repay you for returning Ruby’s wallet,” Sam said, pulling out his own.

“Really, there’s no need,” Parker said, backing toward the door. “Anyone else would have done the same.”

“Maybe,” Sam said. “But we’d still like to thank you.”

“I appreciate it, but I can’t accept your money,” Parker said. “I was happy to help out.”

“Then let us at least show you our hospitality by feeding you. Come over to the house and have dinner with us. For old times’ sake.”

Parker blinked. “Old times?”

“It seems you two were friends in high school and might want to catch up.”

Parker glanced at Ruby and felt some satisfaction when he saw her blush. Maybe he should feel some guilt at being glad she was embarrassed, but he figured it served her right. For old times’ sake. “Actually, that does sound nice. Just tell me when and where, and I’ll be there.”

Ruby’s gaze snapped to Parker, and she glared at him.

Yup, this would definitely be more satisfying than a night at home.

Sam grinned and clapped his hands. “Great. My wife and I will meet you at Ruby’s house tomorrow night at six.” Sam pointed to Ruby, then Parker, then himself, while silently counting. “You know what I just realized? This will kind of be like a double date,” he said, acting surprised, but doing a terrible job at it.

Parker’s stomach sank, and he noticed Ruby had paled as well.

Was now a good time to tell Sam that he and Ruby couldn’t stand each other?

* * * * *

“I know what you are doing, and it won’t work,” Ruby told Sam. “You can’t just invite random guys over for dinner—to my house—and expect me to fall head over heels in love.”

“He’s not random,” Sam said, walking back to the table where the little girls were now painting each other instead of the paper. “He’s an old friend of yours. It would have been rude not to invite him.”

“He’s not my friend,” Ruby said with an exasperated sigh. “He is a jerk who I’d really like to avoid, if you don’t mind.”

Sam grabbed a washcloth from the counter and started wiping down one of the girls. “You do a lot of that these days.”

“What?”

Sam glanced up. “Avoiding. Other than me and Katie, have you spent time with anyone besides little kids who struggle to talk in complete sentences?”

“I’m hanging out with Zoe tonight,” Ruby said. “So there.” She stuck her tongue out at Sam.

“I’m just trying to help,” Sam said with a sigh.

That was the problem. Everyone was always trying to ‘help.’ She was someone who needed fixing, and everyone was willing to try their hand at it. “I know,” Ruby said. “But have you ever stopped to think that I don’t need help? I own my own business, I have family and friends who care about me, and a niece on the way.” That last part hurt when she said it, but she’d been trying to be normal about it—prove to everyone it didn’t make her spirit ache just thinking about it. “Life is good,” she said, her voice quiet, and not quite as convincing as she wished it was.

Then it hit her. Hard. She’d had this conversation before. With Clark, when they had first met. Had she really gone full circle? It was Sam who was mayor of Amor now, instead of her father. And she owned a daycare instead of her own plane, but everything else…was actually worse.

Sam stood and walked to the sink. “It’s been four years,” he said, rinsing pink paint out of the washcloth.

Ruby felt the tears coming long before they clouded her vision. “I know how long it’s been,” she choked out. Why was Sam doing this to her? They didn’t talk about it. Ever. That was the rule. It was the only way she managed to make it through each day.

“I just want to see you happy again, that’s all,” Sam said. He slipped an arm around Ruby’s shoulders and held her close as the tears fell fast.

When Ruby wiped the moisture from her eyes, she noticed the kids staring at her. “You’re scaring the children, Sam,” she said.

Sam stepped back and Ruby managed to flash a smile to the kids so they would know everything was okay.

“Just promise me you’ll be nice to the guy when he comes over tomorrow night,” Sam said.

“It won’t change anything.”

“I don’t expect it to,” Sam said.

“You probably want me to not only host, but cook as well,” Ruby said with a frown.

“No, no,” Sam said. “You just be your lovely self and Katie and I will do all the cooking.”

Ruby gawked. “Neither of you can cook. Katie grew up on the streets and you’re—you.”

“Hey, come now. No need to be rude,” Sam said, though he was smiling. “Katie and I have been taking couples cooking lessons.”

“Oh yeah?” Ruby smirked. “How’s that been going?” She imagined the poor teacher must have the patience of a saint.

“You’ll find out tomorrow,” Sam said. “But for now, I better get back to the office.” He went into the back and when he came out, he was no longer wearing the pink dancing dumpling T-shirt, and instead wore a nice suit.

“Have fun, Mr. Mayor. Say hi to Zoe for me.”

“Will do. See you tomorrow,” Sam said with a wink.

Ruby paused as she watched Sam leave.

Zoe. Of course. Why hadn’t she thought of it before? Zoe might be Sam’s assistant, but she was also Ruby’s best friend, and Sam had never said she couldn’t invite additional guests.

Ruby smiled. Sam wasn’t going to pull one over on her that easily.