He smiled and headed down to the kennels, following the stream of people who’d already gone to do their job.
“Next please.”
By the time the last animal was out of the kennels, Ruby was feeling frazzled. Everything had gone to plan but she’d been on tenterhooks waiting for something to go wrong. Something to kick her in the butt and say, ‘Joke. This isn’t really happening.’
Now she was at the new shelter and everyone was settling in, the adrenaline slump hit her like a tank. Her shoulders drooped and she struggled to calm her shattered nerves. A lump rose unbidden in her throat and tears welled in her eyes. She couldn’t stop the wash of emotion.
“You okay?” Carly put a hand on her shoulder as a sob hiccupped in her throat.
“Yeah. I guess so. This has been a huge day and I still can’t believe we’re actually here.” If someone had told her a year ago that this would be on the cards, she would’ve called them out on it. Things like this didn’t happen to Ruby. She struggled to deal with good luck, always ready to accept the bad side of life. As much as she tried not to, dealing with dumped animals every day had taken the shine off of hope for her.
A car door slammed and a scuffle of feet on the pavement toward the office reached her ears. The door opened and her babies barreled into the office closely followed by Simon.
“What’s going on?” She knelt down and was covered in slobbery kisses, letting the tears have their way.
Simon shut the door and stood with Ziggy in his arms. “I figured you might need to see these guys after the day you’ve had.”
She shared a glance with Carly who raised her eyebrows. “I might go and get some pizza. What do you say, guys?”
Simon gave her a self-conscious grin. “Actually, Tyler is on his way over now with food. Poor guy was dying to help out but he had other things planned so this is his way of making up for it. I wasn’t sure how many people would still be here and I might have over-catered.”
“That’s very sweet of you, Simon but you didn’t have to do that.” It was amazing of him to think of them all. But that was the Simon she used to know. Kind, courteous and helpful. She had trouble marrying the old Simon to the billionaire he was now. Something had to have changed and she dreaded to find out what that was.
She wiped the backs of her hands over her face, trying to repair the mess the sudden onslaught of tears made.
* * *
Simon glanced between Ruby and Carly. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
“I’ll go and tidy up the kitchen before Tyler gets here.” Carly retreated and left them alone.
“Sorry. Big day. Emotional month and it’s getting to me.” Ruby tried to laugh but it came out as a sob.
Simon reached for her and pulled her against his chest. Her body shuddered and she gave into her tears. He smoothed his hand over her back until she calmed down.
“Sorry.” Her voice was muffled against his chest and his shirt was wet with tears but he was happier than he’d been in ages. Ruby was in his arms and letting him comfort her.
“Don’t be sorry. You’ve had a lot to deal with and you’ve done amazingly well. I’m proud of you, Ruby.”
She lifted a tear streaked face to look at him. “Really? You think so?”
He looped his hands behind her back and smiled. “Yeah, I do. You’re amazing and I’m proud to know you.”
Ruby blinked and licked her lips. That was the trigger. Simon lowered his head and touched her mouth with his. Bliss. She didn’t move away and he took that as a promising sign. He found the small curve of her top lip with his tongue and traced it before kissing her properly. She had the sweetest lips and Simon was lost in the kiss almost immediately.
This is where he wanted to be. In the arms of the woman he loved. They could do this, repair the past and move on. He was sure of it.
Ruby pushed against his chest and brought him back to earth. “I don’t think…you said just friends…”
He dropped his arms. He was rushing her, stepping out of line when they hadn’t even discussed the future. Had he blown it by being impatient? “Gosh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get carried away.”
Simon stepped back as the door opened and Tyler strode in, pizza boxes in his arms. “Hey, guys. Don’t let me interrupt anything.” He winked at Simon and gave Ruby a tip of his chin. “Looking good there, Ruby. Sorry I couldn’t get here earlier. Where should I put this?”
She moved away from Simon and the space between them grew cold. He rubbed a hand around the back of his neck and gave his friend a death stare. Tyler shrugged.
How on earth was he going to fix this? Had moving too fast pushed her away for good?
Chapter 13
Simon gave Ruby a couple of days to herself before calling her. “Listen, I have meetings today and a deadline for a program Tyler and I are working on but how do you feel about coming into the office and having dinner with us? Just like old times.” He held his breath. It was a gamble suggesting it but Simon couldn’t help himself. Would she be as interested as him in rekindling the past? Was she going to give him another chance? “I can arrange the food, you’d only need to show up.”
“Um, maybe. I have a late appointment for another adoption. That’ll bring the number to fifty-five this month. We’re going to meet the target.”
“Hey, good work. I’m impressed.” She’d done so well.
“You helped and everyone has been so good at sharing the
