Chapter 30
Ruby
Iam walking funny.
There’s no other explanation.
No matter how normal I try to look, no matter how carefully I move, my legs are jelly, my knees are unreliable, and my thighs are still remembering his hands.
I left his office ten minutes ago.
TEN.
MINUTES.
Ago.
And my body is still buzzing like a faulty appliance.
I pace the hallway, trying to look casual. Spoiler: I don’t.
My hair is a mess. My lips are swollen. My shirt is tucked in wrong. My pulse is so loud I’m sure the IT department can hear it.
“Oh god,” I whisper to myself. “I can’t function. I CAN’T FUNCTION.”
Someone rounds the corner.
I freeze.
It’s Evan.
OH NO.
His eyes flick over me, my flushed cheeks my hair my shirt my entire everything, and his brows pull together sharply.
“Ruby?” he asks. “You okay?”
NO. NO I AM NOT OKAY. I AM THE OPPOSITE OF OKAY.
But I smile. Badly. Awkwardly. Like someone asked me if I’m interested in joining a cult.
“Yes! Totally! Normal! Great!”
He blinks. “You’re… red.”
“It’s warm.”
“It’s freezing.”
“Oh. I, run hot?”
His eyes narrow. Suspicious. Too suspicious.
“Why are you on this floor?” he asks.
Oh god. Oh no.
I cannot tell this man I was currently melted on Jaxon’s desk like a human puddle.
“I was… returning something,” I say.
He waits.
To what? Who? Why?
My brain malfunctions.
“Paper,” I blurt out.
“Paper?”
“Yes.”
“Where is it?”
“Gone.”
I want the ground to swallow me.
“Right…” Evan says slowly, eyes scanning the hallway behind me. “Is Cole still here?”
My heart jumps into my throat.
“No! Maybe. I don’t know! Why would I know that! Ha ha ha ha..."
He stares.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
I nod too hard. “TOTALLY FINE.”
My phone buzzes.
I look down.
Nasty Nine.
19 unread messages.
Oh god.
Evan glances at my phone lighting up like fireworks. “You’re really jumpy today.”
“New skincare routine.”
“…Right.”
I need to escape. I need an evacuation helicopter. I need to dissolve into mist.
“OkaybyeEvanloveyouWAITNOIDIDNTSAYTHATBYE..."
And I run.
Literally RUN.
Down the hall. Into the lift. Out of sight.
I lean against the wall and try to breathe.
Then I open the group chat.
Big mistake.