It was too good to be true, but there was no sense in dispelling the idea he'd obviously formed in her head. Stubborn to the end, he refused to admit that what had seemed a perfect plan in its inception had become a chaotic mess throughout the years. Let Ruby believe that things had been as idyllic as he'd wanted them to be -- she'd never know any different.

"As can I," he replies, smiling at her, one eyebrow slightly raised, wondering just how far he can go with the flirtation. "For example, I'd like to do something like this again."