Chapter 47 Ruby
Ruby
RUBY
He pulls me into a soft hug.
I melt into it.
Into him.
Into the warmth and the certainty and the terrifying potential of what this is becoming.
When he lets me go, he brushes a kiss against my temple.
“Come over tonight,” he says softly.
My heart flip-flops.
“I will.”
He smiles, slow, warm, breathtaking.
“Good.”
I walk out of his office on shaky legs.
Ava and Trey scatter like cockroaches.
I can’t help it.
I laugh.
For the first time all day…
It feels like things might actually be okay.
I do something wild.
I float.
Float through work. Float through emails. Float past the vending machine without ducking behind it for once.
I feel… lighter.
Still nervous. Still overwhelmed. Still half-feral from last night.
But lighter.
Because I’m not running anymore.
When the workday ends, I head home with purpose, like a woman who’s finally choosing her own story.
I shower, shave everything that might matter, moisturize like I’m auditioning to be a dolphin, and pick out a dress that says:
Yes, I’m here. Yes, I want you. But also yes, I fear nothing.
It’s navy. Soft. Pretty. Slightly dangerous at the neckline.
Then I look at myself in the mirror.
I don’t see the panicked girl from a few days ago.
I see someone braver.
Someone open.
Someone who wants.
The thought scares me in the best possible way.
My phone buzzes.
Oh no.
Here we go.