J
I reread it once. Then send it.
Let’s see how fast she spirals this time.
EVAN
Evan Myers is not supposed to care.
He’s not Ruby’s boyfriend. Not her partner. Barely even her friend.
They had one almost-date last year, one awkward maybe-thing over cocktails that fizzled out before it even sparked.
He told himself it meant nothing.
Then he saw her today.
Walking out of the top-floor conference room. Flushed. Breathless. Eyes too bright.
And then he saw the CEO following her down the hallway like he had a claim.
Evan’s gut twists.
He shouldn’t feel this. He shouldn’t notice.
But he does.
He watches out of the corner of his eye as Ruby rushes past the bullpen, cheeks pink, avoiding everyone.
And then he sees the email go out:
Selected: Ruby Quinn
Assigned to: Mr. Cole
“Oh, hell no,” Evan mutters.
He stands, walks across the room, and spots Ruby practically diving into her cubicle like she’s trying to hide from the world.
“Ruby?” he asks, trying to keep his voice neutral.
She jumps.
“Oh! Evan. Hi. Um. Busy. Very busy. Lots of work.”
He studies her face.
She won’t meet his eyes.
He doesn’t like it.
He doesn’t like how flustered she is. He doesn’t like how close Cole was to her earlier. He doesn’t like the look in Cole’s eyes.
“You okay?” Evan asks slowly.
She nods too quickly. Too fake.
“Yeah! Of course! Totally fine!”
