Page 30 (1/2)

Chapter 1: Keep Your Tongue to Yourself

RUBY

I set the half-full limoncelloto get right now—on the table, and nab the waiter as he passes Taking one of the offered napkins, I daintily select a variety of appetizers, oohing over the mushroom blah blah blah canapés The naood it is My taste buds are dancing with joy and so is e will be like, I’le Tupperware in my purse

My best friend, Amalie—who I refer to as A an insanely wealthy man, which makes sense since she also comes from an incredibly wealthy family This union is still a couple of steps up the social ladder for her, so in her fa a very smart partner choice

As a product of the saround, I will say this financial partnership dance is one of the less desirable parts of being a for love—but really, it’sstatus Ale—according to her reports, his actual dingle is just average, which is a little sad But you can’t have everything

I ignore the waiter’s disapproving frown as I delicately shove an adorable shrimp tart in my mouth to make room for one more on my cocktail napkin Plates would be far more effective, but I set mine down somewhere and someone’s already been by to clear it away I’ll make do with the napkin

My current employment status—or unemployment status, to beplan One that consists of a lot of ramen noodles I could ask my father for help,additional funds will prove, to both of us, that I’ to make it on my own That is not an option Theback to Rhode Island so I can sit behind a desk and become another one of his corporate drones That definitely ranks low on s to do with my life

I wait until the waiter has roup of people,attention toin my purse—which, in reality, I aie, fold up the napkin with the shrimp tart, and slide it inside

This is the third tiht I’ve racked up quite an array of snacks for the next couple of days They’ll make nice sides for my Raman noodle dinners And lunches

Between appetizer thieving sessions, I’ve been busy scoping out the hotties since I’m without a date I suppose I could’ve invited soement party is the kind of event that indicates interest in further dates Currently there’s no one I’m that interested in Besides, I have an audition toates any potential for post-date make-out sessions, so it’s better that I came alone anyway

Instead of ing in self-pity over ible bachelors on their hair and shoes Hair says a lot about a s indicate self-consciousness and excessive vanity

Shoes also tellwith If the shoes are pointier than h maintenance and by that Ithat I’d ever be willing to cos and pointy shoes are the worst of the worst Those men are the ones most likely to insist on boob jobs and liposuction—whatever it takes to make their wives look as close to Barbie as possible I refuse to be someone’s silent arm candy

“Ruby? Everything okay?” Amie puts her hand on my shoulder

“What? Oh, yeah Everything’s fine I have to get going, unfortunately” I should’ve left half an hour ago, but the food is incredible

She side hugs lad you could come for a little while”

“I honestly wish I could stay longer I feel bad about having to leave so early” And without even one phone nuh, in fairness, I’ve been distracted with appetizer thieving

She waves a dismissive hand “I’ I know you must be nervous about the audition, and excited”