Emma squinted up as she felt a shadow fall on her, blocking the sun.

"Rubes!" she groaned. "We have hours before we have to be at the diner. Our shift doesn't start till 4, which means we don't have to be there till 5:30." she turned over, letting the sun fall on her bikini clad body.

Ruby Lucas grinned as she sat down next to her best friend. "And this is why Granny is always telling me she should fire you." As usual, Emma noted absently, she was wearing as few clothes as possible, though for once, it was appropriate, considering that they were on the coast, enjoying a nice summer day at the beach in Storybooke, Maine.

"The first customer everyday is Albert Spencer, and he always arrives at 5:30 on the dot and orders the exact same thing every single day. The benefits of living in the most boring town in America is that you can predict everything to the minute."

Ruby laughed. "I don't think you're doing small town America right. Have you even seen Desperate Housewives? Living in a small town isn't about crappy little diners and overweight lawyers with disturbing toupees. Its about tawdry affairs...intrigue...excitement!"

Emma smirked. "Speaking of tawdry affairs, how's it going with Sean? Or is it Gus? Its so hard to keep track sometimes..."

Ruby scoffed. "I got rid of Sean weeks ago. He took me on a date to the diner. The one that my family's owned for years and where I've worked ever since I was 16."

Emma choked back a laugh. "Well, in his defense, there's aren't that many places to go around here..."

"He said that the best thing about being at the diner was that my bedroom was just upstairs."

Emma laughed again. "Wow. You pick real winners."

"I do what I can with what I'm given, something no one's ever accused you of." Ruby wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. "It wouldn't kill you to have a bit of fun. We are stuck here for the foreseeable future, after all."

Emma rolled her eyes, not liking the reminder. She hadn't quite envisioned coming back to Storybrooke after she graduated college. In fact, when she had packed her bags four years earlier and said goodbye to Archie Hopper, her guardian and the only family she had other than her older sister Mary Margaret, she had no intention of ever moving back. But plans change.

"That's what I get for creative writing and English," Emma thought grimly. The good thing was that both Ruby and Mary Margaret were living here too. Ruby because she never left and planned on taking over the diner one day. Mary Margaret because after college, she decided to come back to Storybrooke and teach Middle School.

"I think you have enough fun for the both of us, don't you think?" Emma said dryly. "Will I be able to find anyone in this town who isn't your sloppy second?"

Ruby scoffed. "Oh please. Other than Neil who you broke up with years ago, you haven't really shown interest in the men here, have you?" Emma rolled her eyes as she got on her back again. Ruby and Mary Margaret were the only ones in town who knew that she favored the fairer sex. In fact, said Ruby gleefully when she had been told, she knew this even before Emma did ever since sophomore year of high school when Emma wouldn't shut up about Mrs. Flint, their english teacher with a penchant for fine literature and inappropriately short skirts.

"Well, its not like Storybrooke has a thriving lesbian scene, Ruby. Unless I missed the gay club that opened next to Gold's pawn shop."

Ruby sighed. "Yeah, and there aren't even people willing to experiment around here. I'm the only one and you turned me down flat." She put on a face of mock hurt.

Emma snorted. One day last week, Emma had been in a particularly cranky mood that only got worse when she found out Ruby had eaten the last bear claw. As she greedily munched the bear claw, Ruby had offered to help her relax if it meant that she would stop being such a "moody little bitch."

"As much as I appreciate the offer, I think I'll pass and leave our friendship intact," said Emma as she closed her eyes. "I think its safe to say that Storybrooke will be the last place I meet someone."

Ruby nodded, not disagreeing. She was a bit disappointed as she really wanted to see her friend happy and in a worthwhile relationship. "Well, at any rate, things are about to get more exciting around here. Apparently Storybrooke is getting visitors."

Emma shrugged. Tourists sometimes came up to Storybrooke, drawn by the scenic mountains and beautiful coast. "Whats so special about that?"

"Apparently they are family friends of Gold. One of them bought that huge beachside house right off Mifflin. You know, the one that the Kramers were selling. Its going to be his summer vacation home or something."

"Damn," said Emma. "So when you say visitors, you mean we have royalty visiting."

"Ha, something like that. Have you heard of David Nolan?"

Emma wrinkled her nose in concentration. "That name sounds familiar..."

"His dad, George Nolan, owned a bunch of hotels all over the country. When he died, David inherited the empire. He's ridiculously loaded."

Emma groaned. "Last thing we need is a bunch of uptight businessmen around here. This blows."

"Apparently he's actually super nice. He and a few friends of his are already in town and he stopped by the diner to grab some food before seeing Gold. Pretty good looking too, if google images are anything to judge by."

"Who are his friends?" Emma stifled a yawn. Rich, good-looking playboys weren't really her thing.

"Apparently he brought two women and two men. Friends from college or something. Not sure who they are though."

"Well, I guess we'll find out."