He wants him to.
I nod, unable to speak.
Evan sees the nod. His face falls completely.
Jaxon places his hand lightly, very lightly, on the small of my back.
Guiding me out.
A claim without force.
A claim Evan fully understands.
My body shivers.
“Talk later?” Evan asks softly.
I turn.
And the answer is unavoidable.
“…Maybe,” I whisper.
But Jaxon’s hand guides me forward, gently but firmly.
And Evan sees that too.
EVAN
He watches them walk away.
The hand.
The way Ruby leans the slightest bit toward Cole. The way Cole watches her like she’s the only person he sees.
Something inside Evan breaks.
He thought he had time. He thought she’d realize on her own. He thought she’d wake up and see him. But she didn’t. She saw Cole.
And now it’s too late.
JAXON
I don’t say anything until the elevator doors close.
Then I turn to her.
“Did he upset you?”
My voice is too calm. Too controlled.
She shakes her head.
“He just… needed to talk.”
“He doesn’t just want to talk.”
Her breath catches.
