Chapter One-Three-Four: Lines

"Wait, no, that's not what I mean."

What could he possibly mean?

This is the part where he gives a half-hearted excuse, so instead of listening to his protest, I turn my focus to the woman and smile.

“Hello, I am Ruby.”

“Ruby Clive? I have heard about you and your coffee shop.”

“All good things?”

“Well…no, not about the coffee but about you, though most of the men on the coast like your shop, still leading Walter’s son on?”

“Someone needs to buy my coffee.”

I respond to her joke with my own, but she seems to stiffen at something behind me.

“I am Rose, the manager here at Cathy’s dress for the coast branch-”

"Five minutes, Miss, we were having a discussion."

Adrian interrupts Rose’s introduction, causing her polite smile to falter.

"Oh...uh…yes, of course."

She recovers well and turns to the shop.

“You are welcome inside once you are ready to proceed with the fitting.”

She utters before gliding back into the shop to give us space.

"Ruby, I-"

"Don't want to be with a Clive,"

I finish fo