“We’re really lucky to have her,” Lily agreed.
I parted my lips, not sure how to respond. My heart swelled at their words, especially Ruby’s. “I, uh, that’s so nice of you to say, Ruby. I’m really happy to be spending the summer here, too. And it means a lot to hear about how my personality came through on the show. I haven’t seen the episodes. Going through it once feels like enough.”
“I don’t blame you at all. I actually don’t plan on watching future seasons. I doubt it’ll do anything—I mean, I’m just one person. Anyways, I’m glad you won. Seeing you on the show… I don’t know.” Ruby paused, biting down on her bottom lip. “It made me realize I can be unapologetically myself, too. My last ex told me I wastoo much.” Ruby rolled her eyes as she used air quotes. “It bothered me at first, but it’s his loss. Just like you’re a million times better off without Tony.”
I didn’t realize my appearance on the show could have such an impact on someone. I hadn’t even thought of that as apossibility when episodes were airing. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that. Why do men think they can say that to us?”
Ruby shook her head. “Not men—boys,” she corrected. “And it’s because they don’t know how to handle strong women.” Ruby crossed her arms over her chest. “Boys are afraid of strong women. Men see the strength in them.”
“Rubes, you’re way too wise to be in college. Are you sure you’re not older?” Lily asked.
“I’m sure.” Ruby let out a laugh, a grin on her face. “Anyways, I had to say hi when I saw you, but I gotta go help run some food. The fries here are to die for. You have to try them. We have house made ranch, too!”
“It was great to meet you, Ruby.” I liked everyone I’d met so far in Golden Falls, and it was so easy to see myself here. To picture what a life here could be like.
Ruby waved to both of us before floating through the crowd toward the back where I assumed the kitchen was.
“You’re winning everyone in town over.” Lily smiled as she led me over to the bar, where Eliza and Louise were chatting.
“Long time, no see, Jules,” Louise teased. We had recently gotten together for coffee to talk about her rental.
When Eliza started to reach for her purse, Lily waved her hand. “Wes is paying,” she informed Eliza before turning to Louise. Lily held out Wes’s card. “Could you put our drinks on Wes’s tab, please?”
“Oh, of course.” Louise took the card with a wink. She set our finished drinks on the bar: a hard seltzer for Lily, tequila soda for Eliza, and an Aperol spritz for me. “Have fun, girls.”
It was going to be a fun night, and I wanted to soak up every second of it.
26
WESLEY
I couldn’t stop staringat her. No matter how hard I tried to stop, my eyes found her in the crowd. Like there was something pulling me to her.
She was dancing effortlessly, hands above her head, hips swaying side to side, and singing every word. She wasn’t wearing a sundress tonight, like she typically did. She’d opted for a short black skirt—one that gradually rose up as she danced, showing even more of her tan thighs.
The pink strappy heels tied around her toned calves were the same color as her top.
There was no missing her. Pretty sure every goddamn man in this bar was looking at her.
Anyone who saw her observed how radiant she was. It was impossible not to. She took attention from the room without even trying. I was damn near speechless when she opened the door and greeted me earlier tonight.
“Got a little drool there, Wes.” Cooper tapped the corner of his mouth.
“Oh, fuck off, and take your turn.” I tipped my chin toward the pool table. I ran my hand over my jaw. Had my staring really beenthatobvious?
“It’s your turn, actually.” His grin widened as he corrected me. “I mean, if you want to give up and hand me the win, you certainly can. I’ll win on my next turn, anyway.”
With a low growl, I shifted my gaze back to the pool table. We were playing best two out of three, and Cooper had won the first game. I lined up my shot and sunk the first ball into the pocket easily but then missed my second shot.
Cooper only had the eight ball left.
“Eight ball, right corner,” he called. The ball sunk into the pocket effortlessly. He leaned the pool cue against the table and crossed his arms over his chest, grinning.
Normally, we were well matched and almost always played a third game to break the tie. That wasn’t needed tonight. He’d crushed me during both games.
“Damn it,” I groaned, shaking my head. I took a final swig of my beer and set the empty bottle on the ledge along the back wall.
“Funny how on your day off you still end up here. Even funnier you lost these two games so easily. Wouldn’t have anything to do with your pretty neighbor, would it?” He nodded over to where Juliette was dancing with Eliza and Lily.
