Mick sure liked Marianne, that's for sure. At least from what I could tell.

"Ya, I'm tryin' to get a record deal to record me sometime"

"Maybe I could help you with that.."

"Oh that'd be great!"

And so, I sat there; feeling like a third wheel. I noticed the bright smile on Marianne's face that Mick mirrored as they talked about various things. I pushed the food around on my plate, hating the feeling of being a third wheel. They laughed some more and I cringed inwardly, Mick hasn't ever laughed like that with me. Somebody said my name and I looked over,

"You alright Ruby?" Mick said as he reached over for what I thought was my hand, but then his hand veered to the left for some sauce.

"I'm not feeling well" I announced abruptly.

"What do you mean?" Marianne's face bent into a frown.

"I mean, I have to go, I'm not hungry anymore" and with that I grabbed my plate with stiff fingers and dropped it into sink. Then I walked out into the hall. I stopped at my makeshift room before dropping on the bed and covering my face with pillows. Just wallowing in self pity for a moment felt good, and, I expected to be all alone; just let Mick get more friendly with Marianne, great. Think about that; meeting Mick freaking Jagger, having him ask you on a date, and then you follow him all the way to England only to find him getting all cozy with your cousin! Great great great, this is juuuuust great.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door.

"Ruby, what's wrong?" Mick.

When I didn't answer he decided to just push the door open. I heard his footsteps bend the wood as we walked over to me. I felt the mattress bend as he, too, fell onto the bed; facing me.

"Youloveherdontyou" I mumbled into the bed.

"Hey," his voice got really soft, "hey Ruby, look at me"

I did. Good thing I wasn't crying. "Yes, Mick?"

I could see him hesitate for a bit, shifting over.

"Are you really not feeling well? I was going to take you to the best bar in town after supper.."

I looked up and saw a purer smile then what he had given Marianne. I cocked my head to the side and he mirrored me. Mick reached out for my hand to which I gladly took. He led me out the door to the best bar in town.