“Hey, Ruby, I didn’t know you’d be here tonight.”
She flashed him a quick smile and stacked the trays on top of each other. “Yep, Gabe asked me to head up the second floor so here I am.”
“I’m surprised, I thought with Zane—” He clamped his mouth shut and turned beet red.
“Yes, I’ve heard that Zane will be here. Jeez, did everyone know but me?” And does everyone know I have an issue with him?
“Would you have agreed to work tonight if you did?”
They both knew the answer to that, and she wasn’t about to satisfy it with an answer.
“As long as he stays away from my bar we’ll all be just fine.”
“Uh huh…like last time?”
“I admit I might have acted a little out of character then, but that doesn’t mean anything. The man just knows how to set me off.”
“More like push your buttons if you ask me.”
“I didn’t, so let’s not talk about him anymore.”
She hefted the trays into her arms.
“Hey, let me help you with those.”
“Nope I’ve got it. Ex-firefighter, remember. You’re in charge.”
“Yeah, yeah, you never want any help, I’ve got it.” He pushed and held the door open for her. “Good luck tonight. I have a feeling you’re going to need it.”
Ruby swept through the door, ignoring John’s last comment. What the hell did he know anyway? She started for the stairs and detoured for the elevator at the last minute. No need to push her luck.
A quick glance at her watch showed it was already after eight. She’d have to hurry before the rest of the staff and some of the early birds started trickling in.
Now if she could just ditch the nagging feeling in her gut that tonight wasn’t going to turn out like she expected all would be right with the world.
