My whole body ignites.
CHAPTER 25
Ruby
My legs don’t work for a full thirty seconds.
I’m still pressed against the wall like someone slapped aPlease Do Not Movesticker on me.
My heart is sprinting a marathon. My breath is basically glitter confetti. My brain is a Windows ‘98 error message.
He really did that.
He reallY pinned me, leaned in, and lLooked at me like he could read every thought I wasn’t having out loud. Then he said, “Tell me you don’t feel this,” like it was a sin to lie.
My stomach flips again.
No.
No no no no.
I push away from the wall and immediately stumble, I catch myself and pretend that didn’t happen.
Then I power-walk down the hall like the building is on fire and I’m trying to evacuate my feelings.
The elevator door closes behind me and I let out the first sound that escapes my body:
Awhimper-squeak-wheezehybrid.
Then I whisper…
“Oh my GOD.”
I nearly slap the emergency call button.
I’m shaking. SHOCKINGLY. Again.
I need oxygen.
Therapy.
A baptism.
AND HE KNOWS IT.
By the time I get back to my floor, I’ve convinced myself the others didn’t notice anything.
Which is adorable, because the second I step out of the elevator…
Ava is RIGHT THERE.
Her hands on her hips, and her eyes glittering like she just sniffed pheromones.
“Why do you look like you’ve just seen God?”
Oh no.
I back up, but it’s too late.
