Red Rider (Little Ruby Red Book 2), page 14
Chapter Thirteen
I had been so busy rushing back and forth stocking up, that I hadn’t heard someone knock on the front doors until someone shouted for me.
“Ruby! There’s a delivery for you!” Zuri calls out to me as I frown. I wasn’t expecting a delivery today so who the hell could it be? Everyone usually came through the back door.
Walking to the doors I see Zuri smirking as he opens the door back up not being able to miss the biggest bunch of flowers I had ever seen.
“Who… What…” I stammer in shock.
“Miss Ruby Rider, there’s a card in the top,” the man holding them says as he passes me the flowers and walks back to his van.
“Someone loves you, that or someone did something very wrong,” Zuri chuckles helping me bring them in.
“Oh my god! That’s huge!” Tess says coming through the back doors.
“That’s what she said,” I say playfully before reaching carefully over the flowers to the card.
“Who are they from? A certain man?” Tess wiggles her brows.
Dear Ruby,
I was hoping I would see you sooner rather than later, but I’m afraid I will be away for a couple of days for a business trip with Dad. If I hadn’t needed to go then I may have stolen a few kisses from you tonight while you worked.
I heard from a little Viggo bird that no man has ever bought you flowers and I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t know what you liked so I bought a bouquet of a mix of beautiful flowers. I hope you like them. I promise we’ll go on that date as soon as I get back.
I’ll message you when I can.
See you soon beautiful
Dante x
“That is so cute,” Tess squeals over my shoulder.
“That has to cost a pretty penny for all that,” Zuri raises a brow.
My heart swelled with happiness, it was one of the sweetest things ever, the flowers were beautiful, though my favourites had to be the roses dotted about in an array of colours.
“Give me those, I’ll take them upstairs, they have their own water in the bottom so they should be good for the night,” Tess takes the flowers with a smile.
“Here I was going to ask you to go for a drink sometime, can’t compete with that,” Zuri says playfully to me. He was always such a flirt but I knew he didn’t have any real interest in me, we were just playful.
“It’s not all about what people spend, it’s the actions that count Zuri, whether it’s one single flower or a hundred,” I smile softly at him.
“Yeah, tell that to my ex,” he rolls his eyes scoffing.
“Well, she obviously wasn’t worth it, when you find the right girl she’ll appreciate what you do,” I reply.
“You’re single Zuri?” Tess walks back to us.
“Yeah, ain’t no girl wanting a guy like me,” he sighs.
“Why wouldn’t they?” Tess frowns.
“I’m thirty and I still live at home Little Mumma, I work nights, my family are a mess and my car is the only decent possession I have, otherwise it’s all been hand me downs for a long time,” he replies.
“So… You’re a fun, kind, handsome man, your family might be a mess in your eyes but even I can see they are important to you Zuri, that’s a positive in my book. So what your car is the only decent thing you have, as long as you are living and loving, who cares, it’s so materialistic. If you find the right woman they will want your time, not your possessions. You’ll find someone Zuri, you will,” I tell him.
“You obviously haven’t seen all the girls eyeing you up from the dancefloor, all of them want to eat you like they do chocolate pudding,” Tess says as I look at her an laugh.
“Chocolate pudding,” I snort.
“Are you sure I can’t persuade you to go for that drink Ruby?” He winks playfully at me.
“I’d love to, as friends,” I answer.
“Yeah, don’t worry your not my type either,” he chuckles.
“What is your type?” Tess asks.
“Brooklyn,” he answers.
“She’s literally just like Ruby!” Tess laughs.
“She’s completely different when not at work, trust me, she’s different,” Zuri says as I raise a brow.
“Oh hold up, are you two hanging out already?” I grin.
“We’ve met up a couple of times, we live close to each other, I’ve given her a ride to work a few times,” he shrugs.
I look at Tess as she grins cheekily, I knew she was planning to find out what was going on with Brooklyn already, she loved a good love story.
“So, how is she different?” Tess asks.
“She’s quite shy, it’s like she puts on a bubbly front at work, she doesn’t really have too many other people around her like you guys do, she’s a dark horse, whereas Ruby is an open book,” Zuri answers.
“We haven’t really integrated the new team in properly have we… Perhaps we need a night out as a team one night like we used to,” Tess says.
“Sounds like a great idea, I was thinking of making the club open six days a week instead of the whole week anyway, give the whole team a day to recoup. Shaun will be too, but we’ll do different days so one of the clubs is always open,” I answer.
“Sounds like a good idea to me,” Tess nods.
“Doesn’t that mean I will lose some of my hours? I can’t afford that,” Zuri says.
“Don’t worry, if you need the extra hours we can sort something out I promise, maybe if you can get in an hour or so earlier on the days you already work so you can help with set up or something, I promise you won’t lose out,” I say as he nods.
“Ok, great,” he nods smiling.
“Hey, guys!” Adam walks in with a grin.
“Hey Adam, how’s college?” I ask noticing his bag crammed with notes.
“Honestly it’s a chore, but I’m so close to being done!” he smiles.
“Then what are you doing?” Tess asks.
“I was thinking about university, but I’m not sure if the whole education route is my thing, I’m happy with how my life is right now, maybe I’ll take a few smaller courses in nearby colleges or something, I don’t know,” he shrugs.
“What about Yasmin?” I ask as I’m cleaning the bar.
“She’s off to university, I’m sure she’ll ace everything as she normally does,” he answers.
Tess and Zuri continue talking with Adam as I continue to sort the bar out, losing myself to my own mind, thinking about everything coming up, Toby and Ollie’s wedding before they leave, my birthday, when I would see Dante next, Tess and Colby’s wedding next year.
I get out my phone grumbling to myself that I had completely forgotten to message Dante to thank him for the flowers.
Me: Hey, thank you so much for the flowers! They are beautiful, for your information, the roses were my favourite, cliché I know… I hope you and your Dad have a safe journey. You’ll have to make it up with me for the lost kisses tonight, I would have looked forward to that. X
Dante: Hey Beautiful, you are more beautiful than any flower, who cares about whether something is cliché, if you like them you like them. Thank you sweet thing, I don’t often go with him but he needs me for a new branch he’s working on and needs me for the initial set up, once I’m back you’re stuck with me. I will definitely make it up to you when I get back. How is your day going? x
Me: If you could see me right now you’d see I was bright red from blushing so hard. My day is going good thank you, though my brother has decided that he and his fiancé are getting married in three days, lots of work to do! But I’d do anything for him x
Dante: That’s very abrupt, if there is anything I can do to help let me know. I should be back in two days. I love your little blush, it’s gorgeous X
Me: Thank you, I’m sorry but I have to go, work calls. Speak to you soon Dante and thank you again for the flowers xx
Dante: Have a good night beautiful xx
I can’t help but smile when I’m talking to him, but I really had to get back to work, the others were all busy setting up without me and I was beginning to feel bad as I was stood texting Dante.
“Finished texting lover boy?” Tess giggles.
“Sorry, I was thanking him for the flowers, didn’t mean to get so distracted,” I reply.
“It’s ok, you’re allowed to be happy Ruby, just do it on your own time yeah?” she says playfully as I shove her laughing.
“Who’s the boss here?” I laugh.
“You, but I’m a manager and one of your besties so I get away with it,” she grins.
“You’re getting too cocky,” I snort.
“Bite me,” she says.
“I’m sure Colby takes care of that one,” I retort as she bursts into laughter.
“Oh he does indeed,” she replies.
“Ok, come on you, let’s grab some stuff from out the back, I ordered a new whiskey to try,” I say before we get back into work.
“Hey, angel, sorry I was late, Amelia came over all queasy when she got home so I had to drop her to her parents for a while,” Cain says walking in as Colin was busy opening the club for him with John, I had called him for last-minute cover, I had been worried about Cain not turning up. I couldn’t help but be a little pissed that he was late for work, but also worried as to why. I was both a good friend but his boss too, managing both at the same time sometimes took it out of me.
“You should have called me Cain, at least warned me, I hope she’s ok but please next time just tell me so I don’t have to drag Colin out last minute, a text or something,” I sigh.
“I know, I know, I was just panicking, I don’t know how to deal with this baby stuff, it’s all new to me,” he says.
“It’s ok, you and Amelia are going to be ok, you’re going to learn together, you’re going to be great parents too, she’s going to get sick, morning sickness is a bitch, she’ll be ok,” I say placing a hand on his.
“Thanks, Ruby, I just don’t want to turn into THEM,” he growls the last part thinking of his parents.
“Cain, you’re not going to turn into them. You know that and I know that, you will always do the best for your family,” I tell him as he nods sighing.
“Thanks, I better go let Colin go huh?” he says.
“Yes, he’s got a really bad back tonight, you owe him,” I smirk.
“Shit, ok, see you later angel,” he says before dropping off his stuff and going to work, letting Colin free of his work.
“What excuse did the kid use for being late?” Colin grumbles taking a seat at the bar as we’re busy serving people, though it was still quieter than normal as it was still early on a weekday.
“Amelia was sick, he had to drop her to her parents so she wasn’t on her own,” I answer.
“Ah shit, now I feel like shit for snapping at the kid,” he sighs, I see the twinge in his face as he moves.
“You really need to see the doctor about your back Colin, it’s getting worse,” I say.
“I know, I just don’t like doctors,” he murmurs.
“Please Colin, for me, I’ll go with you if you need me too, I hate seeing you in pain,” I say placing my hand on his.
“Why can’t you be at least ten years older? It’s sweet of you Ruby, I’ll do it, I promise,” he nods.
“Thank you,” I lean over a press a kiss against his cheek briefly with a smile before getting back to work. He says goodbye to us all before heading home, leaving us to a club that was pretty quiet tonight.
“I’m guessing this will be one of the quiet nights of the week,” Tess says as we are waiting for someone to order a round of drinks.
“I’m going to keep an eye on it, if it is we might as well make it the night we all take off,” I nod.
“Why don’t you go head upstairs and get started on your paperwork, save yourself a job later, I’ll call you back if I need you,” Tess says.
“Thanks, babe,” I nod and head upstairs to get on with the paperwork piled on my desk.
Me: Turns out I’m stuck doing paperwork now, slow night. What are you up to Mr businessman? X
Dante: You’re quiet? I don’t believe that. Just got to the hotel babe, very lonely in here, I need someone to spend my nights with x
Me: Yeah it’s dead, I’ll send you a photo to prove it. Aww did you have someone in mind or were you thinking of going out to find someone? X
Dante: Wow, I can’t believe that it’s that quiet, though I suppose it is the beginning of the week. I do have someone in mind actually, she’s very beautiful, but I’m not sure how she feels about me yet, though I have an inkling x
Me: Oh? Lucky girl. I’m sure whoever it is can’t resist you. I’m sure your inkling is right x
Dante: Lucky girl, no, lucky me that she’s in my life. I haven’t known her very long but it’s like we’ve known each other for a lifetime. She’s a strong, brave, beautiful, independent woman who deserves the world. Can I call you? x
Me: Sure xx
My phone buzzes as I see he’s video-calling me, pressing the accept button I see his face pop up and butterflies fill my stomach from the gorgeous man looking at me through the camera.
“Hey beautiful,” his velvety voice booms, heating my very stomach.
“Hey handsome, so I guess I’ve lost my chance with you by the sounds of this woman you know,” I smirk playfully.
“Oh baby girl, you know it’s you, you’ve got me going crazy here, I almost told my dad no when he said I needed to come with him. I just want to see you all the time, spend every minute I can with you. I loved having you in my arms last night, it’s something I could get used to,” he replies as I blush.
“We’ll have to see what we can do about that when you get back then,” I reply.
“Dante have you seen my… Oh, hello Ruby!” Benji waves with a smile behind Dante.
“How the hell did you get in here old man?” Dante grumbles as I giggle.
“With the key… I’m your father and your boss, I got a copy,” he shrugs.
“Dad, I’m not fifteen anymore, you don’t need to check on me,” Dante rolls his eyes, raising his brow at me when he notices me giggling at them.
“I was just coming to see if you wanted to come for a few drinks with me with the new team, though I can see you’re busy. Ruby, I just want to apologise while you’re there for my behaviour towards you while drunk at the club. Seems some alcohol doesn’t agree with me anymore and I can’t keep my trap shut. When we get back I would love to take you for a meal so I can get to know you better, it seems you and my son seem to be spending more time together, so best we get to know each other eh?” Benji winks at me.
“I’d love to Benji, don’t worry about it, it’s all in the past now, if alcohol is no longer agreeing with you then maybe try a drink that you don’t down so easily,” I grin.
“And what would you recommend, I’m guessing you noticed I’m a tequila man,” he says. I had noticed, he downed them like shots of water.
“Perhaps something with a little more age to it, a scotch?” I reply.
“Never been one for scotch, never found one I liked,” he shakes his head.
“Perhaps I could help you find something you like when you get back, we’ll have a tasting session.”
“Sounds great! Oh, I love a girl that knows her drinks! A real business woman too! Dante you lucky bastard! Right I’m off kids, don’t be up too late doing god knows what with your video calling, I don’t need to find sex tapes leaking online from you two,” he says as I burst into laughter.
“I can guarantee you I won’t be doing any type of sex tape Benji,” I say.
“Are you apposed to sexting?” Dante wiggles his brows as I palm my face giggling.
“No, but I don’t think that’s appropriate around your father Dante,” I laugh.
“Good point, get out old man,” he says to his dad.
“Fine, goodnight you two,” his dad smiles waving at us both.
“Sorry for him, he doesn’t get better with age, I swear he’s losing his marbles,” Dante groans.
“It’s fine Dante, just wait until you meet my folks properly, I mean, if, well, if you wanted to, you don’t have to, I just…” I groan head in my hands, blushing from nerves.
