Ruby Jane
Six months later...
"Ruby, these cards are great today," Sadie says, grabbing the last of the new cards I had printed yesterday and placing them on the shelf of her quaint gift shop: Cardston's Cards.
"Thanks, hopefully these sell as well as the last batch." People love my cards, and I couldn't be happier. After the shock wore off, giddiness set in. I'm free. I make my own money, and I can spend it any way I want. I can drive wherever the urge takes me. Anything I want. The world is my oyster and North Carolina has plenty.
I watch her position the display and run a hand through my now shorter hair. To go with the new me, I tried dying it a few weeks after I arrived, but in the end decided the natural color suited me better.
Six months ago I was murdered.
Six months ago Lisa Manoban ended my life to have me begin a new one.
And now I'm reborn, as Ruby Jane, a greeting card designer who lives on a sandy beach town in North Carolina. When Sehun left me here, he told me to lay low until after the trial, a request I remain loyal to. I won't put anyone in jeopardy.
After saying goodbye to Sadie, I head toward the beach. The light breeze promises that Spring will soon be here.
I wrap my sweater tighter around me, losing my fingers in the long sleeves. It's a different beautiful here than Maine, and I love it just as much. Wild horses and barbecue. Sometimes we have everything mapped out, but it's only a pitstop to the real destination.
The rolling ocean crashes against the shore, and I stand at the edge, watching the push and pull. Just like my heart with Lisa. God, I miss her.
I've dealt with missing her in my life once before. But now, knowing the woman she's become, and everything she did for me, the pain is harder to control. Just remembering her soft touch is enough to bring me to my knees. LA feels a lifetime away, but I would travel there in a heartbeat if I knew we could be together. But we can't. Not with my father's upcoming trial flashing on the national news. I cringe every time it comes on.
Along with all of his illegal dealings, he's also being charged with Hannah's murder.
It's sad how one person's actions can affect so many around them.
It took me a while to fully comprehend my father's selfishness; not caring he was destroying those around him. Even Kai. He was so caught up in the fame and money. The greed of office consumed him.
Lisa is nothing like them.
When the tide begins to rise, I head home to the cozy, one-story, bungalow Lisa set me up in. It's perfect. She even remembered the wrap-around porch.
When I round the corner of the street leading to my house, I spot my mom's car in the drive. Yes, Lisa even saved my mom. And she helped save me. Turns out she was Lisa's inside informant. After a stint in rehab, she joined me here in her own house across town.
"Hey, Mom," I greet her, closing the distance.
She smiles, pulling me in for a hug. "I brought you a surprise."
Expecting her to whip out my favorite pear preserves she's become obsessed with making, I glance over in confusion when she nods her head toward my front door. And that's when I see Lisa, in a grey tailored suit, lifting her devilishly gorgeous lips into a smile. The swarm of eagles take flight.
"I'll call you later," mom says, slipping into her car.
My heart beats as wild as the horses that sometimes roam the beach as I approach her.
"Hey, Jen," she says. Husky. Deep. Sexy. It's been way too long since I heard her voice.
"I think you have me mistaken for someone else," I tease, joining her on the porch. "It's Ruby now."
"Oh, that's right. Can I come inside?" she asks.
"I don't know? You armed?" I smile up at her and she cracks a wide grin. A real one. No longer tainted with secrets.
"I am packing a big weapon in my pants, but I'll keep it contained."
I open the door. "Come on in."
"Nice place." She steps around, glancing at the pictures hanging that I drew myself.
Obviously, I have to get the elephant out of the room. It doesn't fit in here with my sunny furniture. "You shot me."
"Jen…"
"No, you shot me and you didn't think you should have told me you were going to do that?" I ask, more happy she's here, but a tad agitated about her not telling me her plan.
"I couldn't tell you."
"Why?" I give her my best death stare, and hope it's working.
She rakes her bottom teeth across her lower lip. "I like your hair like this." She lifts her hand, ruffling the edges of my short hair.
I swat her away. "You're not answering me. Like always."
"Well, I didn't technically," she draws out the word, "shoot you."
"Same difference."
She steps closer. "I know I'm about ten years and six months too late, but would you like to go to prom with me?"
My brow furrows. "What?"
"Prom?"
"Yes, I know what prom is, but…"
"Would you want to go," she lowers her head, "with me?"
"Where? How?" I laugh a little. "When?"
She sticks her head out the door, and a few minutes later Sehun strolls into the house with a garment and shopping bags.
"Get ready, I'll be waiting," Lisa breathes. She's so beautiful, it sends an ache to my chest just staring at her.
An hour later, I'm dressed in a vibrant red cocktail dress and slipping into the back seat with Lisa.
Sehun pulls away, racing toward the lights of downtown.
Lisa grabs my hand, and the eagles take flight inside me. This is the best feeling in the world, holding my best friend's hand. And she is my friend. She always will be. We forged that connection long ago, under the stars, out in front of the sun, and beneath the clouds every day.
So, when we pull up to a hotel and enter into the grand ballroom, I smile, still holding my best friend's hand.
There's no one here, just us and the music that sweeps in through the sound system.
She pulls me close, wrapping a hand around my waist. "Dance with me."
And we sway to the music, both of us wishing this was our reality many years ago. A life we were robbed of by my father.
I know I want this woman by my side for the rest of my life, and if we can only have these stolen moments together every now and then, well, that'll be perfect too.
"I've missed you so much," she whispers in my ear.
"I miss you all the time."
"I'm always here for you, Jen," she says, using my real first name.
She leans down, brushing her lips with mine, and I let myself succumb to her kiss. It's longing and passion all rolled into one. And I want to tell her all the things. I want to thank her for all the things as well.
I tug at the back of her neck, thanking—loving—her with my body.
She's my Lisa. She always was and will always be. Even if we don't end up together in a traditional happily ever after fashion, I'm good with it.
My eyes mist over at the thought.
The off visits every few months. The sneaking around. The never being able to be her wife. And even though I would take it over nothing, my heart still burns for a better future.
"Why so sad, sweetheart?" She lifts my chin with her finger.
"I just want to be with you so bad." And then I take the leap. "I love you."
Her eyes bore into mine. "I love you so much more." And then she kisses me again, and I forget everything.
We dance the night away, never once letting the other go. And I don't even notice the time when Lisa leans over telling me it's time to go.
I don't want this night to end. I pray and hope it won't. She caresses the turtle dove necklace against my skin, and I smile at her.
"So, Miss Jane, should we head back to your place?"
I park a hand on my hip. "That reminds me, nice name, Ms. Manoban."
She laughs and places a finger over her lips. "Shh, name's Pranpriya Manoban. Nice to meet you."
My heart didn't hear her right as it skips a beat. "What do you mean?"
But she doesn't answer, and just keeps talking, "And if you don't like your last name, then we should remedy that soon with a wedding. I think Ruby Jane Manoban has a nice ring to it."
I know I'm not a squee'ing type of girl, but some sort of excited sound erupts from my lips as I fling my arms around Lisa.
Best life ever.
