Chapter Text
“You can’t bring the dog in here, Mr Hiddleston,” I stopped abruptly. I’d hoped Bobby and I could swiftly bypass reception and get into the lift without a fuss, “You have been told before.”
“Oh come on, Lacy,” I diverted my path to the front desk, and leant on it, “I won’t be long, just a flying visit.”
“No dogs.”
“Lace…”
She stood up and peered over her desk at Bobby. He’d seated himself down on the floor, and was now looking up at the girl with his big brown eyes, looking like butter wouldn’t melt. She grinned at him, and reached out to pet him on the head.
Luke’s offices were in a shared building on Shaftsbury Avenue and Lacy was the main receptionist, her job was simply letting people in and out and pointing them in the right direction. I’d become quite familiar with her over the past year or so since Luke had moved Prosper into this building.
She liked me. I wasn’t sure if that was because she perhaps fancied me a little bit. I hated to assume she might, and I was quite used to my female fan base getting hot and flustered. But Lacy, just like now, always went a little bit pink around her neck and cheeks when we talked.
I also knew that, yes, I had been told before this was a strictly ‘No Dog’ building, but I (or maybe Bobby) had always managed to win her over. He was as good as gold, and she knew it. Although she always tried to keep up appearances.
“Fine,” She sighed, picking up the phone, “But I saw Luke pop out a little while ago, so he’s not up there.”
“Oh that’s fine, I just need to drop some things off,” I held up the large Christmas gift bag and smiled. She nodded and held the phone to her ear.
“Hey, I’ve got Mr. Hiddleston down here, can I send him up?” She fell silent and I waited, “Alright, Cheers, doll.” She smiled and nodded towards the lifts and I set off once again, Bobby at my heels.
I was almost sort of relieved to hear Luke wasn’t in, although I had mentioned I would try and pop by. It was later in the day than I’d planned, just after four o’clock and it was already dark outside. I knocked lightly on the office door and let myself in.
“Hi, Tom,” her voice sing-songed from above me, and I chuckled to myself when I saw her on a chair fixing decorations to a tree far too large for the tiny office.
“Ruby,” I nodded, walking over to her, “That’s quite the tree!”
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” She grinned over her shoulder at me, then focused back on the tree, reaching up to straighten the star at the top. I waited by the door, letting go of Bobby’s lead so he could have a sniff around, and watched her as she finished her task.
It was the third week in December, just a week before Christmas and I’d stopped by the office several times in that period. Each time I saw her she wore a different dress, each one more festive than the last. Today it was a red tartan swing dress, teamed with a black glittery belt and black glittery tights. She wasn’t wearing any shoes, but I spotted some red ballet pumps on the floor next to her desk. She looked perfect.
“Great dress.”
“What are you doing here, Tom? I thought you’d be packing or getting an early night,” Ignoring my compliment, just like always, she turned on the chair, and I automatically held out my hand to help her down. She took it and stepped off the chair landing on the floor with a bounce.
I can’t remember the exact moment I fell for her. You’d think I would, but I didn’t. I think it was more of a gradual thing. She’d only been working for Luke around six or seven months. He’d hired an administrator, with his growing client base, and recruiting more staff, it was harder to keep track of appointments. Ruby made everything run that bit smoother and it also meant someone could always answer the phone when Luke was otherwise tied up.
She’d been a very welcome new member to the Prosper team and the more I saw her, the more I needed to see her again. She was…different.
I didn’t know how old she was exactly, younger than me for sure. But not by much. I guessed early thirties. She was well spoken, but I couldn’t quite figure out exactly where she was from. I assumed London, but possibly further south. She was sweet, polite and would fall over herself to help people. She wasn’t… Hollywood’s version of beautiful. But she was beautiful, and quirky. She had curves and her unique sense of style always accentuated that. Her make-up was always bold, and her hair perfectly coiffed.
But somehow, she exuberated a sort of innocence I found immensely attractive. And curious.
I had a million questions I wanted to ask her, and I had no reason or place to ask them. She was just a girl who worked for my publicist. She didn’t work for me. I had no business with her, not really. Yet I wanted to have business with her. Beyond that of pleasantries and the occasional email on Luke’s behalf.
“I wanted to drop these off before I left,” I followed her slowly around the room, and stopped when she dropped to her knees and gave Bobby some fuss. She peered up from her place on the floor. I set the gift bag down on the side, and lifted out the first present I could reach, “Just a little something.”
“Oh,” She hopped up, and I chastised myself for how my eyes were immediately drawn to her chest. Her breasts moved under the dress, and I looked away. Her hands clasped around the gift in my hand, “We can put these under the tree!”
“Great idea,” I agreed, “These are for Luke and James…this one…it’s for you.”
Her eyes widened as she took hold of the wrapped gift and her lips parted prettily, “Oh, but I didn’t get you anything, Tom!”
“I didn’t expect you to.”
“Yes, but –”
“It’s just a gesture, Ruby.”
“Well, erm…thank you, Tom. That’s very sweet of you.” She studied the gift in her hands, neatly wrapped in dark green paper with a red ribbon. I couldn’t take credit for the neat wrapping, Emma did all of my wrapping for me. I’m simply awful at gift wrapping.
She placed the gift under the tree.
“Luke will probably be back soon,” She told me, tucking a piece of flyaway hair behind her ear, “Would you like a coffee?”
“I won’t. Thank you. I shouldn’t stay too long.”
“Okay.”
I shoved my hands in my pockets and looked up, I wanted to say something else. But I didn’t know what. I didn’t find myself lost for words often. My eyes fixed on what appeared to be a sprig of artificial Mistletoe clipped haphazardly to the edge of the artificial lighting.
“Are you looking forward to your holiday?”
“Oh, yes. Yeah, I am.” I dropped my eyes back to her and smiled.
“I’ve never been to India.”
“It’s beautiful. Hot.”
“Yes. I can imagine. Where will Bobby stay?”
“Kennels. I’m dropping him off a little later. I’m mostly packed.”
“Bless him, Kennels over Christmas. Luke would have had him, you know?”
“I know, but I didn’t want to put on him over Christmas.”
“He wouldn’t have minded.”
“What are your plans…over Christmas, I mean? Do you spend it with family?” It was a good opportunity to find something else out about her, at least.
“With my Brother and his wife, and the kids. My Dad,” She nodded, “We lost Mum at Christmas, so we always try and spend it together.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” I hadn’t expected that level of omission.
“Don’t be, it was a really long time ago. I was only young. They find it harder than I do…I don’t really remember her. I just like being there for them.”
“Is your brother a lot older than you?”
“Nine years older. I was a bit of a surprise,” I smirked, “I like to think I still am.”
“Oh yes, you are.” she quirked an eyebrow. What did I mean by that? “A lovely one, I mean… you’re…I’m sorry.”
“I’ll pretend to know what you mean,” She managed to chuckle and I felt my cheeks heating up.
“Is that erm…mistletoe?” I jerked my head upwards.
“Oh, yeah,” She laughed then, “Luke thought it would be funny, and I can’t reach to take it down.”
“You know, thirty-eight years and I don’t think I’ve ever kissed someone under the mistletoe,” What are you doing, Tom? Make yourself sound any more desperate and cliché.
“Lucky you, Luke had me kissing the courier driver the other day when I signed for a package,” She rolled her eyes, “On the cheek mind. He was about sixty. Not that I have anything against kissing an older man, but he did have yellow teeth.” She screwed her nose up, and I couldn’t help but laugh. She looked so sweet when she did it.
“Well… would you do me the honour? It’s supposed to be bad luck not to or something, right?”
“You want to kiss me under the mistletoe?” She asked, a little incredulously.
“I think it would be rude not to.”
“I guess… it is Christmas.”
“Yes it is.”
I beckoned her closer and she complied, until she was beneath the plastic plant which dangled above us. I raised my hand to her cheek and dipped my head. I wanted to kiss her on the lips but that was a bit too forward. Instead, I brushed my lips against the spot just next to her lips. Almost her cheek, almost her mouth and I lingered. Just for a moment. Just long enough for her hand to seek purchase on my upper arm. I pulled back and she let go.
“Well erm…” She stuttered, and I knew maybe I’d overstepped. She didn’t know me that well, and here I was giving her gifts and asking to kiss her. It was true, I’d decided to make a move, but I hadn’t planned to be so forward. The gift. That was all I’d planned. See how she responded to that and then go from there.
“Well, thank you for obliging me, Ruby.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Have a lovely Christmas.”
She nodded, “You too, Tom. Safe flight.”
“Thanks…Bobby, come on,” I patted my thigh, Bobby trotted back over to me and I picked up his lead, “Say hi to Luke for me.”
“I will.”
“Bye, Ruby.”
“Bye, Tom.”