Page 21 of Break Me Like a Promise (Oak Valley)

Instead, she ordered a black coffee and checked her phone for the hundredth time.

After fuming all weekend from his storm-off and his stupid proximity to her, she’d texted him yesterday to forget his stupid air chisel and to keep his stupid, hot self away from her. Not in so many words, but still. She wanted to get the point across.

Ruby took a seat by one of the large storefront windows, setting her bag on the chair beside her. She pulled out her laptop, digging for her headphones beneath the bag of chisels she bought earlier that morning.

Which just further fueled her anger. How dare he lean so close and then stomp off?

He hadn’t changed. He should’ve stayed away, and she never should’ve agreed to let him help her.

Opening her laptop, she logged into the Zoom meeting with Rachel.

“Hey, babe!” Rachel greeted her with a wide, brilliant smile but it fell as quickly as it appeared. “Is everything okay? You look pissed.”

“Peachy.” Ruby gritted her teeth, even more annoyed that Colton made her reactions so obvious. “How’s the office?”

“It’s fine, relatively quiet. We miss you.” Rachel made a pouty face.

“I miss you guys.” Ruby softened, missing the camaraderie she’d grown to love. Even Julie, she missed their easy banter before things got messy.

She hadn’t known Anthony was Julie’s until after the fact, and while he said they were over, she could tell they weren’t. At least not internally. Ruby didn’t take it personally, she was used to guys wanting only one thing from her, but that didn’t mean she was going to waste her time with a boy.

Not when she needed a man.

“You’ll have to come visit! How’s your mom?” Rachel asked.

“She seems okay,” Ruby said, taking a shaky breath. “We’re waiting to hear back on the results from her PET scan to see if the cancer’s spread to her bones.”

“If there’s anything I — we — can do, please let me know. I can’t imagine having to deal with that.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it. Honestly, being able to work remote is a huge load off. I couldn’t imagine having to find a job at the craft store or something while also taking care of… things.” Ruby gave her friend a small smile. She hadn’t told anyone about why she was home. Not that they’d asked. But saying the words aloud to someone she loved and trusted hurt. They made it real. And Ruby wasn’t sure she was ready to face reality.

Rachel cleared her throat and started typing away. “Did you get the email I sent? Lemonade Films and Atlantic reached out, we should have contracts signed by end of week so Friday, you can do your thing. How are the others?”

“Great, thanks! I’m excited to work with Lemonade,” Ruby said, pulling up her prepared update on BRICK Talent Agency, B23 Productions, and World Talent. Lemonade Films was the new project of one of the world’s biggest pop stars. “The others are fine, we’re working on a press pack for two A-list actors under BRICK, and then I’m wrapping up B23’s press releases for the next year. They have a few world premieres scheduled in the early summer and late fall for Academy season.”

Ruby fibbed a little — she only had outlines for the press packs and half the press releases done. But she knew as long as she delivered ahead of their padded deadlines, she’d stay in good standing with Rachel. Maven Media was the brain child and hard work of her ambitious friend and their fellow coworker Ella Davis — they’d joined forces shortly after college to build a publicity empire that focused on empowering women and underrepresented voices. Ella and Charlotte handled music, Rachel and Winsome handled publishing, Priya was human resources, Phoebe had taken over Julie’s legal position. Julie now managed Maven’s non-profit branch to provide support and professional counseling to single moms and women in domestic abuse situations, as well as provide child care to their kids.

“Okay great. I heard through the grapevine Lemonade may bring in more clients, so I’m keeping my eyes open for a possible second hire to help you with the media division.” Rachel flicked her glossy black braid over a slender shoulder, the gold bracelets from her grandma in Pakistan tinkling with the movement. It was a sound that made Ruby miss the place she learned to call home, the people who’d become her family.

She was used to being alone. Her dad was gone before she knew him, her friend group disappeared as soon as she hit puberty. After leaving Oak Valley for college in New York City, Ruby had to fight for her place as one of many in the rat race.

Other than her mom and Colton, Maven Media was the only place she’d felt safe. Seen. Good.

“Great, thanks Rachel. I’m not sure how things will go with my mom but for now, I’m here for whatever you need.”

“Thanks, babe. I do have another meeting I need to get to, but it was nice to see you. Let me know if there’s anything else you need.” Rachel smiled and gave a little wave before the call disconnected.

Ruby stared at the screen for a while after, trying to will herself to work on the things she told Rachel were already almost done. But seeing her friend, seeing even a glimpse of the life she left behind, had covered her in a fog. This wasn’t supposed to be her life. If someone had told her three months ago — hell, a month — she’d be living at home with her mom, converting a school bus into a tiny home, no friends but her ex-boyfriend in sight, she would’ve called them crazy.

She sighed and checked her phone. Still no response from Colton.

Maybe he got the message and she wouldn’t see him again, at least not alone. Her stomach churned at the thought, and she couldn’t decide if it was because she won the fight or because she missed him.

21

The door slammed harder than he planned, his foot heavy on the gas.

Who was he kidding, of course he planned it.

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