“That’s life,” Ruby said. “It sucks sometimes. It sucks a lot of the time.”
“My brother died in my arms.” Lou touched her stomach, the heavy roundness bringing an ache to Ruby.
Pushing it aside as being stupid, she focused on the beautiful woman. Lou was beautiful, kind, sweet, and with a mean streak for anyone who intended to do her family wrong.
“Do you guys know all of the Denton secrets?” Ruby asked.
“Plenty,” Harper said. “My deal with Abel is I know everything but what he actually does. That way, I can go on pretending my husband is an angel.”
Ruby burst out laughing, and saw that Harper wasn’t kidding. “Oh.”
“We do the things we have to in order to have a good life.” Harper shrugged. “I know it’s strange, but I do love Abel. He’s not for everyone woman, but I’m not most women. I’m just me.”
Ruby stared down at the tomato sauce she was simmering, and wondered what it would mean to finally have someone of her own. “I’m a virgin,” she said, dropping those words out with an ease that surprised her.
“I was a virgin,” Harper said.
“I wasn’t,” Lou said.
“Neither was I,” Betty said. “I don’t think I should be here, because I’m not really a Denton woman. I was just the unlucky woman who got caught. Even though I wouldn’t have changed anything. My baby girl is the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“I’m so sorry,” Ruby said.
“Don’t be. I appreciate that you guys consider me one of you. I can only hope that a man will find me as thrilling as your men find you.”
Ruby was confused. “What do you mean?”
“I know about the men’s legacy. I know most of them call it a curse, but come on.” She pointed at Lou and Harper. “It must be amazing to have a man you know will never cheat, and who loves you so completely that they’re willing to do anything for you.”
Ruby hadn’t thought of it like that.
“I’m never going to know that about a man. There are times I wish it was me, Harper,” Betty said. “I really do. You’re so lucky, and I’m not going to lie, I am jealous.”
“Oh, honey,” Harper said, wrapping her arms around Betty.
Betty was crying, and she wiped the tears away. “I know. I’m sorry. I really shouldn’t be crying. I’ve got a baby girl, and Damian is so sweet. He keeps offering to marry me, but I spoke to Anita.”
Anita was Stuart’s first wife, and his high school sweetheart. They had a couple of kids together, and everything went fucked up when Michelle entered the picture.
“I can’t do it. I know I’ll fall in love with him. He’s that kind of man.” Betty waved her hand in front of her face. “I’ll be fine. One day, I’ll be fine. I’m just being silly right now.”
“You’re not being silly. This is how you feel, and that’s not silly,” Ruby said.
“It feels it. I’m just going to use the bathroom.”
Ruby watched her go, and hated that she’d laughed at Oliver when he told her what happened. She was a horrible person, and the guilt started to consume her.
“I laughed,” she said, needing to talk to someone.
“Sorry?” Lou turned toward her.
“When Oliver told me, I laughed. How horrible am I? She wants to be wanted like that, and I thought it was a joke.”
Lou reached out, putting a hand on her arm. “You can’t do that to yourself. This whole thing with the Dentons is different. Not many men can turn around and say they know they’re in love. It is genuine. Jacob told me what you’ve gone through. That must have been painful.”
Ruby took a deep breath. “It’s fine. I’m fine. I’m dealing.”
“Abel told me you could kick some serious ass. You gained his respect.”