“I had no idea.” She gave him a smile and turned back to the food.
“We don’t shout about it but we do it because it’s right. We also have programs that help vulnerable kids on the street. Homeless programs where they can get a meal and a safe place to sleep along with some friendly advice. We train them to help others if that’s where they think they want to go to give back too.”
“Sounds wonderful. I’m glad to hear it.” She made herself busy by opening the food containers avoiding his gaze. “I’m starving.”
Tyler came out with napkins and plates. “Been looking forward to this all day.”
Simon backed away from the conversation, already planning his next step. If Ruby didn’t want to talk about them, fine. He’d find another way to make it up to her. “So, tell me how things are going at the shelter. Everyone settled in well?”
A smile curved her lips. You could always guarantee talking about her beloved animals would put a light in her eyes. “Yes we are. Things are going better than I imagined. Oh, some of the animals are still unsettled but generally, everyone is doing well. It’s so good to not have the thought of being kicked out over our heads. I can actually relax more and do what I do best. Look after the animals. And we made our target.”
“That’s great to hear. But I knew you would. I’m so glad that worry is off your shoulders.” Simon handed her a napkin. “Listen, if you ever need anything, you can let us know. We like to help out where we can. Don’t we, Tyler?”
“Sure do. And you’re a friend so we like to help you more than most.”
Simon shot Tyler a look – he knew Simon wanted more but friends was better than nothing. For now. Her face remained blank which Simon didn’t take as a good sign. Maybe he should have shut up and kept things on a friendly basis. Left the money out of it.
“I think what you’ve already done has been more than enough. Which reminds me, I still owe you a date.”
“Two actually. You still owe me two dates which I will claim soon.”
Ruby looked up and met his gaze. There was something there. Longing or loneliness. He couldn’t be sure because she ducked her head before he could decide.
“Mom wanted to know if you’d like to go over on Sunday for dinner. Her and Dad haven’t seen you for ages and miss you heaps. Her words.”
Ruby swallowed and rubbed her throat. “Won’t that make things awkward?” She watched as Tyler grabbed more food and headed back inside mumbling something about getting drinks.
“Why? Aren’t we still friends?” He swallowed the bitterness the word conjured in his mind. She glanced up, a tinge of color on her cheeks. “Despite the fact I’ve never wanted anyone like I still want you, if all you’re prepared for is friendship, then I’ll take it. We’ve known each other forever. My folks miss you. Simple. Come to dinner.”
Ruby tucked a dark curl behind her ear. “No pressure?”
“No pressure.”
A wobbly smile surfaced before becoming a decent more relaxed grin. “Okay. Sure. I’ve missed them too. What’s the address?”
Simon shook his head. “I’ll pick you up on Saturday. And bring the dogs. Mom will be over the moon.” He looked up as Tyler came back out with three bottles of beer clutched in his hand.
“Time to celebrate I think.” He grabbed a bottle, twisted the top off and handed it to Ruby before taking one for himself.
Tyler held his dripping bottle up. “To old friends getting back together again and a better future.”
Simon held back a sigh of despair and gave his friend a blank stare. He just hoped he’d manage to keep Ruby in his future. There were no guarantees and she hadn’t made much of a comment when he said she was the only one he’d ever wanted. If friends was all she wanted, how would he manage to move forward?
Chapter 15
What did he mean, a better future? Simon was up to something, she knew it. Ruby rolled over in the bed and came face to face with Ziggy. The little dog had taken to sneaking up in the middle of the night and snuggling on her pillow. “You, madam, are supposed to be on the floor in your own bed with the rest of the ferocious beasts.”
Her cell pinged with a message. She picked it up. Tyler’s name came up. What does he want this time of night?
Tyler. Hey Ruby, I wanted to say something without Simon around. Is it too late to call you?
Ruby. No, I’m having trouble sleeping.
Seconds later her cell rang. She pushed the button and held it to her ear. “Hey, what’s up.”
“Sorry to call so late but I need to get something off my chest. It’s been killing me and Simon insists he’s to blame too. Not a good excuse but we’ve been arguing over it for years.” He blew out a breath.
“Spit it out, Tyler.”
“Back when we sold that first program, it was me that wanted to keep it quiet.”
Unease prickled up Ruby’s spine and she shuffled up to a sitting position. “What do you mean?”
“It was me that said to keep it quiet from everyone, you included.”
“Why would you do that?” She held her fingers over her lips to stop herself from cussing at him.
“I don’t know. My only excuse was what happened to a friend of mine. He came into some money and all these new friends came out of the cracks. Pretty soon he was alone again and broke.”
Ruby closed her eyes. “And you thought I was that kind of friend?”
“Truth is, I wasn’t exactly thinking, I was too busy freaking out. Think about it, Ruby. What would you do if someone
