Together at Ruby's

TOGETHER AT RUBY’S KC LUCK This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons either living or dead is entirely coincidental. Copyright © 2023 KC Luck Media All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever CONTENTS Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 About the Author Thank you Also By KC Luck iReadIndies 1 Enjoying the warm June sun on her face, Liza Martinez walked through the busy, open-air corridors of the outlet mall a half hour south of her home in Portland, Oregon. Navigating the throngs of people all eager to find a good deal, she was flanked by Allie and Rey, her two best friends. All three had a spring in their step after some very successful shopping. All the summer fashions were already on discount, and Liza was particularly pleased with her finds, especially a pair of strappy, white and tan sandals that would go perfectly with the light green sundress she planned to wear that evening. Being a Sunday, it was date night with the love of her life, Tate Nilsen, and she knew the woman was especially fond of the color, particularly on Liza. The trio headed for the parking lot, laden with multiple shopping bags from a variety of stores, yet Liza saw one more place she needed to stop by for a minute or two. “I know we said we would be out of here by four p.m., but can we please take a look at the jewelry shop?” Liza asked. “Only for a second, I promise.” Allie laughed. “Now why are you interested in going there?” she teased, and Liza smiled at her friend’s question. “You know exactly why, Allie Dawson,” she answered, but before she said anything more, Rey playfully bumped her shoulder. “It wouldn’t be to look at engagement rings, now would it?” Rey asked. “For the hundredth time.” Liza gave her friend’s comment some consideration. I think I may have looked more than a hundred times, she thought. I’m an expert on diamonds now. She stopped walking, and when the other two did the same, Liza looked from one friend to the other. “Tate is going to propose to me any minute, I just know it,” she said. “But I have no idea what kind of ring she bought, so I need to look at some examples. I think you should both be rather interested too. It’s not like you two don’t have special people in your lives.” Rey’s eyes widened. “I think that’s a little more than I would expect,” she said, but Liza saw a hint of a blush on her cheeks. She was so happy Rey and Marty were finally a serious couple and not only roommates. They seemed to take forever to figure out their true feelings, but then the two were not like Liza. She never hesitated to say how she felt about anything. When she met Tate, Liza knew immediately that she was the one. Years ago, Allie had invited her to what had been the Ruby Slipper after the college class they shared. One look at the quiet and handsome, dark-haired woman sitting in the horseshoe booth along with all Allie’s closest friends took Liza’s breath away. She had been quick to let Tate know it, and luckily, the feeling was mutual. Starting to walk toward the jewelry store, Allie shook her head. “I don’t expect anything either,” she said. “But it’s always fun to look.” “Thank you,” Liza said, always loving getting her way, even when it was only with her best friends. “We will be in and out quickly. Ten minutes tops.” Rey held the door open for Liza and Allie. “We’ll see,” she said, but there was a twinkle in her eye. “I just love seeing you so happy.” Wiping away the sheen of sweat on her face with a white gym towel, Tate worked to catch her breath. Her heart had a rapid beat, but she felt it slowing already. After setting a personal 5k running record on the treadmill, she felt good, really good. She took pride in being physically fit, more muscular than average, but also never wanted anyone to think she showed off. Her friend, Nikki, teased her at times about the attention she attracted when she bench pressed a considerable weight, but the act was never intended to draw a crowd. According to her friend, more than one woman in the gym had their eyes on Tate. That meant nothing to her. She was only interested in one person, the woman who made up her world, and that was Liza Martinez. “New personal record today?” Nikki asked as Tate joined her at the weight bench. Tate nodded. “Yes,” she said. “By eleven seconds.” Holding up her hand for a high five, Nikki grinned. “Outstanding,” she said as Tate slapped their hands together. She appreciated her friend’s excitement over the accomplishment. They worked out early almost every morning at Tate’s favorite gym. If she could call anyone her best friend, it would be Nikki Vander. Although the woman was tall, blonde, extremely attractive, and had a body almost as fit as Tate, Nikki was surprisingly humble and had a heart of gold. If Tate ever needed anything, she could turn to her friend any time day or night. In fact, all the friends in Tate’s closeknit circle knew Nikki would always be there for them. In some ways, the woman was the glue that held their