Rubi’s breath slid out in a slow exhale of wounded disappointment, but beneath lived that ever-present resignation. She wasn’t right for Wes, and by coming here, she was only prolonging the inevitable.
“Or…he’s really just looking to hook up with you because you’re hot, to tide him over until he finds another one of those sweet girls to settle with again. ”
The very reality of Lexi’s words might mean whatever relationship Wes and Rubi had been flirting with was already over. And she’d created this whole goddamned mess.
Tears crept up, blurring her vision. She certainly hadn’t been prepared for this twist. At least not tonight.
Wes’s hands finally pulled from his pockets, slid up the woman’s arms. Still, he didn’t push her away. A rock formed in Rubi’s stomach—not the pain of jealousy, but of loss. And damn but she felt foolish. So fucking foolish. The pain in her stomach spread to her chest and throbbed there.
Rubi closed her eyes and sank back into the seat, weighted like lead. “I’m such a fucking loser. ”
The whisper dissipated, and Rubi reached forward, turning the engine over. Without looking at Wes again, she pulled out of the parking spot and exited the lot for the freeway. And the airport.
Twenty-One
Wes froze at the feel of Melissa’s lips on his. The two of them had been getting along great the last two days, like the friends they’d once been. Like no time had passed. He’d settled into the comfort and camaraderie, proud of them both for being able to let the past go.
So this move was completely unexpected.
Time seemed to stand still. Memories flashed back—their first kiss, their first I love yous, their first time making love in the back of his truck. But this kiss didn’t bring back any of those old emotions. Not at all the way he’d once believed it would if he’d ever gotten the chance to kiss her again.
In fact, it felt wrong. All wrong.
Wes added pressure to Melissa’s arms. As badly as he wanted her mouth off his, he didn’t want to jerk her around. To dislodge her, he had to reach up and curl his fingers around hers, prying them loose. Then he was able to pull his head back and break the kiss.
“Missy,” he said, frowning. “What was that?”
She wasn’t at all the kind of woman he wanted. Not now. And looking back, probably not then either. But she’d fit the acceptable model for his family.
She turned her hand in his and threaded their fingers together. “It’s called a kiss. We used to be very good at it. ”
She leaned closer, her breasts pressing his chest. Instead
of desire, only anxiety and discomfort filled him. Beyond, in the parking lot, tires gave a curt squeal as someone popped a clutch too fast. Wes glanced that direction as a white BMW coupe turned onto the freeway.
“Let’s try it again,” Melissa said. “See if you remember this time. ”
She pushed up, but this time, with his hand trapped in hers, he pulled back. “I’m…seeing someone, Missy. ”
At least he hoped he was still seeing Rubi. She hadn’t responded to any of his messages since midday yesterday. At least when she was angry, she was still talking. Wes’s biggest fear was that the anger had grown old and she just stopped caring all together. With him gone and her not responding to his calls or texts or even videos, he knew that indifference would happen even faster.
“Oh. ” Melissa eased back, a frown turning her lush mouth down. “I…didn’t realize… Wyatt and Whitney said—”
“Wyatt and Whitney don’t know everything. ”
“Is she…special?” Melissa asked, a little pouty.
“Very,” Wes said. He had to bite his tongue to keep from apologizing to Melissa. He was not sorry he was in love with Rubi.
She took a step back and released his hand. “All right, then. ” She smoothed her hands down the front of her scrub top. “I guess we’ll call this…an old-times’ sake kiss and call it good. ”
Wes nodded. Forced a smile. “Sounds good. See you tomorrow. ”
“Yep. Good night. ”
Wes waited while she climbed into her car, a sensible blue Subaru four-wheel-drive, and backed out of her spot. Then he pulled out his phone and checked for messages from Rubi. Nothing. God, he needed to hear her voice.
He called her number and listened to it ring as he wandered toward his brother’s truck—Wes’s ride for the time he was in town. Her voice mail picked up.