Slumber by Tamara Blake Page B

I’ve ever met.”
    â€œYou haven’t met many girls, then.”
    â€œTrust me, I have. Ruby —”
    He wiped her streaming tears with a gentle finger before brushing his lips against her damp cheek.
    â€œTam…”
    He lowered his mouth to hers.
    Ruby melted into the kiss. It was every bit as good as the one in her dream. No, it was even better, Tam holding her like she was precious, the scent of his cologne filling her senses while the darkness behind her closed lids changed to warm red.
    A peppy jangle from the cell phone in her evening bag gradually broke into her awareness—her mom’s ringtone. Reluctantly, she pulled her lips away from Tam’s. “I’ve got to get that,” she murmured.
    Tam’s forehead was against hers, and he was breathing hard. “Don’t.”
    â€œI have to. It’s from home.”
    She fumbled for her phone.
    â€œRuby?” Shelley’s voice quavered in the earpiece.
    The dreaminess from Tam’s kiss disappeared in a flash. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
    â€œMom fell down. I can’t wake her up.”
    Ruby froze while she absorbed Shelley’s words. No. Please God, no —
    â€œI’m really, really scared, Ruby.” Shelley gave a little sob while Ruby grabbed hold of the panic beating at her. “I don’t know what to do.”
    â€œIt’s gonna be alright,” Ruby told her automatically. Calm. Stay calm. If you freak out, she’ll freak out. “I’m going to hang up and call 911. When the ambulance gets there, let the EMTs in, okay? Do you think you can do that?”
    â€œYes. Can you come home now?” Shelley’s voice was thin and wobbly.
    â€œI’ll meet you at the hospital, Shells. Hold tight and be brave.”
    â€œWhat’s going on?” Tam asked when she ended the call.
    Ruby barely heard him, just jabbed at her phone’s keypad with shaking fingers. 911 . “Hello, yes, it’s an emergency—” Quickly Ruby blurted out the situation. “Hurry, please. My little sister is there all alone with her, and she’s scared.”
    â€œAmbulance is on the way,” the operator replied in a professional monotone.
    â€œHey,” said Tam, as she hung up. “I said, what’s going on?” His hands gripped the balcony’s high railing behind him, the panorama of the city spread out beyond. In the light thrown by the nearby Chinese lantern, he was frowning, his whole body tense.
    â€œI have to call Shelley back. Then I’ve got to go to the hospital. It’s my Mom—she’s collapsed.”
    â€œFucking Violet,” muttered Tam.
    Ruby looked up at him sharply. “What did you say?”
    â€œNothing. Look, I’m so sorry. I was afraid something like this might happen. But I need you to understand something.” He stepped forward, put his hands on her shoulders. “You can’t leave, okay? There’s nothing you can do for her.”
    Ruby recoiled. Was he serious? Her mom had collapsed and her little sister was on her own with her, and he wanted her to… What? Do nothing?
    â€œYou have to be kidding. And what the hell does this have to do with Violet?”
    Tam bit his lip, as though he was trying to figure something out. At last he said, “It’s kind of complicated. But trust me on this. The best thing you can do is stay with me. You’ll be safe here. We’ll sort this out, but you mustn’t —”
    â€œIf you think I’m going to stay at this party with you while my mother could be dying, you are delusional.”
    Anger flashed across his face for just a moment. “I’m trying to help you, Ruby.”
    â€œNo, you’re not. You’d rather keep me here partying with your friends than let me go to my sick Mom. You know, I thought you actually cared about me. And my family.”
    â€œYou’re not listening,