Page 35 of A Tempting Seduction

“But not too fancy,” Zoe added. “This is still the Jasper Creek area. Our options aren't exactly limitless.”

“Maybe that new place in Pigeon Forge?” Fallon suggested. “The one with the mountain views?”

I listened to them speculate, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the restaurant's heating system. These women cared about my happiness, wanted to see me succeed, were invested in my story having a good ending.

“Whatever he's planned,” Maddie said finally, “you're going to look amazing.”

She gestured to the shopping bags around our feet.

“Ford Larson won't know what hit him.”

“Poor Ford,” Fallon said with mock sympathy. “He probably thinks he's getting dinner with the flannel girl who hides behind the coffee counter.”

“Instead, he's getting Ruby 2.0,” Maddie added.

I looked down at my new outfit. “More like Ruby 1.5. Let's not get ahead of ourselves.”

Zoe raised her water glass. “To Ruby 1.5 then. May she knock Ford Larson flat on his rear.”

“Again,” I added, and we all dissolved into giggles.

Chapter Nine

I stood outside Ruby's duplex, holding a bouquet of wildflowers and second-guessing everything about this evening. The house sat three blocks from the town square, an older Victorian that someone had split into two apartments with enough care to preserve the original character.

The wildflowers felt ridiculous in my hands. Daisies, black-eyed Susans, and some purple blooms I couldn't identify, all tied together with twine by the woman at the farmer's market. She'd assured me they were “cheerful and unpretentious,” which had seemed perfect for Ruby. Now they felt like I was trying too hard.

I climbed the three steps to the porch and knocked on the door marked with a brass “B.” My stomach twisted with nerves I hadn't felt since high school.

Footsteps approached from inside, and then the door swung open.

My brain short-circuited.

Ruby stood in the doorway wearing dark corduroy jeans that hugged her curves like they'd been custom-made for her body. Ankle boots added a couple inches to her height, and a dark green sweater molded to every line of her torso in a way that made my mouth go dry. The sweater's color brought out the green in her eyes and made her red hair look like it was on fire.

I tried to swallow and found my throat had forgotten how to work.

“Hi.” Ruby's voice carried a breathless quality that suggested she was as nervous as I was.

“You look...” I stopped, cleared my throat, tried again. “Incredible. You look incredible.”

Pink colored her cheeks. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Thank you. You clean up pretty well yourself.”

I'd gone with dark jeans and a button-down shirt, nothing fancy, but Ruby's gaze swept over me with obvious appreciation. I held out the wildflowers. “These are for you.”

Ruby's eyes widened, genuine surprise flickering across her face. “You brought me flowers?”

The wonder in her voice made something in my chest tighten. When was the last time someone had brought this woman flowers?

“They're wildflowers. I thought you might like them better than something formal from a florist.”

Ruby accepted the bouquet with hands that trembled slightly. “They're beautiful. I love them. Come in while I put them in water.”

I followed her inside, trying not to stare at the way her hips swayed as she walked. The view from behind was just as spectacular as the front.

At last, a woman who filled out a pair just right.

Ruby's living room was small but comfortable, decorated with warm colors and soft textures that felt like a hug. But what caught my attention were the plants. They were everywhere. Hanging from the ceiling, perched on windowsills, crowding shelves and side tables. The space looked like a greenhouse had exploded in the best possible way.