Everyday at lunch, Ruby brings lunch to the hospital. She and Victor find themselves a secluded spot in the fields out back, where the trees scatter across the landscape and the lake bulges out just over the crest of the hill. They're often joined by little animals; Ruby can always smell them coming. She and Victor indulge in a quiet half hour until he is called back in to work. The food is always delicious, being from Granny's diner, and the conversation is even better.
The first day they had lunch together, Victor felt rather awkward and fluttery. But Ruby was her usual charming self, and eventually he was able to relax. That was several weeks ago. By now, the hospital staff greets Ruby as though she's the clock chiming noon. Her appearance is punctual and daily.
Victor worries a bit over whether he is supposed to get Ruby something for Valentine's Day. They haven't discussed whether they're actually together, but their interactions are always slightly more than cordial. Sometimes they hold each other's gaze for a second too long, sometimes Ruby touches him on the arm and doesn't withdraw right away, and sometimes Victor could swear that her smile means more than the one she gives her friends.
In the end, he settles on a nice bottle of wine. He himself won't be able to indulge too much, as he'll have to get back to work shortly after. But it's the gesture that counts. He figures Ruby will be pleased with it.
On Valentine's Day, Ruby arrives promptly at noon as always. She has a basket of food on one arm and a picnic blanket on the other. Victor greets her with a kiss on the cheek (more than just friendly?) and leads her out back to their usual spot. The weather is still cold; it is Maine in February, after all. Patches of snow litter the shadier sections of the grass. Sections of the lake are still frozen over. But Ruby and Victor are dressed warmly enough, so they don't mind the weather. Victor likes the rosey tint that the cold puts in Ruby's cheeks.
He shows her the bottle of wine, and she's delighted. She tells him that she never has occasion to drink nice wine. Victor assures her that it's his favorite brand. He pours them each a glass, and they toast to "us" (and what's that supposed to mean?).
Ruby pulls out lunch: sandwiches and scones. She's brought a ham sandwich and a blueberry scone for Victor (weeks of lunch together have taught her a lot about his preferences). They discuss the weather, work, and anything else for a few minutes, all the while skating around the topic of Valentine's Day. Victor has done his part, so he knows he's off the hook. But he can't shake the feeling that there's something anticipatory about Ruby's mannerisms today. It's not necessarily off-putting by much, but he knows her well enough by now that he can tell when she's not saying everything on her mind.
When there's only five minutes left in Victor's lunch break, he begins packing up the refuse from their lunch. Ruby stops him as he reaches for their napkins. Her slender fingers close tightly around his wrist. Victor looks at her curiously.
Ruby tells him she has a surprise for him and that he should close his eyes.
He does so. And waits.
Ruby shifts her hand so that it rests softly on Victor's. His heart starts to race; the gesture is definitely more than just friendly. He feels Ruby's breath tickling his mouth, and then she kisses him. It's soft and chaste, and it lasts barely longer than a few seconds. When she pulls away, Victor opens his eyes. He's sure that his cheeks are bright red.
She smiles like the innocent seductress she is.
Victor can only stare stupidly at her.
They pack up Ruby's basket, blanket and all. They rise to their feet and walk back to the hospital. They knock arms a few times as they go. Victor finds himself smiling even more than usual, which he didn't know was possible. Ruby tends to have that effect on him.