Page 29 of His Jewel

“Yes. No. I don’t know. I need to apologize, I know. I just don’t know how. He’ll never trust me again.”

“Second chances are second chances for a reason. I can see how much he loves you. That doesn’t just turn off. Give it time.”

Suddenly, she knew what she needed to do. What she needed to write. She grabbed her coat off the chair, shrugging it on.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you, A. Thank you.” She threw her arms around her.

“And where are you off to in such a hurry?”

“To work. I need to get to work.”

Fifteen minutes later, when she turned the light on in her apartment, she felt as if she’d been revealed. It was like the cold light of day had rushed in, except it was the middle of the night.

She sighed. “Well, no time like the present.”

She tidied and cleaned everything from top to bottom, until the place was gleaming, and sunlight was spilling through the open windows.

Then, making sure her kitchen table was clear of any distractions, and that there was a large pot of tea, she opened up her laptop and began to write. And write and write and write. Words poured out of her like water, like they were begging to be placed on the page.

****

The buzz of her phonebrought her out of her writing reverie.

It was Cathy, responding to her message.

Her heart thrummed, picking up speed when she skim-read the message and saw Josh’s name.

I’m so happy you’re okay! Please let me know if you need to talk. You’re always welcome to come over, my door is always open for you. Josh is ... okay. A little more reserved than usual. I hope I’m not overstepping here, but I think perhaps it has something to do with you leaving. Sending hugs, I miss our coffee time xx

Me, too, she thought. She took a deep breath, stretching out her muscles. She could do with a coffee right about now. She could also do with Alana and her connections, but first she needed to edit, edit, then edit some more. But first, Cathy.

Thank you, Cathy, that sounds great. Let’s catch up soon xx

She’d lost Josh, but she refused to lose Cathy, too.

She returned to her article, her first-person piece. She’d wondered about exposing her family for their shady dealings but thought better of it. Instead, she preferred to focus on the love and bore her soul in the piece, titling it10 Reasons Why I Love Josh Hall and Why You Will Too. Alana was going to contact some online business magazines to see if they could get it published. She’d listed every amazing thing he’d done, his charity work, his kindness, and so on. But at number ten, she couldn’t resist getting more personal.

10. I love Josh Hall because he makes me feel alive.

****

Three weeks later,she was heading out for a job interview. She was three hours early, but she was too nervous. She needed to expend some energy, and if that meant walking for a few hours through the streets of New York, then so be it. She examined her reflection. Maybe it was too much, but she figured she’d be bold today. Her signature red lips were back on, and she was wearing a matching blazer and skirt combination, in ruby red, leaving her dark hair cascading down her shoulders. She nodded to her reflection, grabbing her briefcase and phone as she headed for the door. Her eye caught on a headline. Successful merger of Private Housing Corp and Matterson Housing. Good for Josh. Her heart faltered at the name. She’d done a good job of pushing it down.Healthy right?But no. No, not now.Push it away, she told herself. With her eyes screwed shut, she opened her door and ran straight into a solid wall of muscle.

She gasped. “I’m sorry—"

Josh.

Standing at the door of her apartment.

There were dark circles marring his perfect face, and his chiseled jaw looked to be even more defined. His eyes skittered over her.

He held her article, printed on a piece of paper. “Ten reasons I love Josh Hall, huh? Could’ve fooled me.”

Her face fell and his features softened. “Let’s talk. We’re not so good at that.” He walked past her into her apartment, and she suddenly lost all ability to speak. She thought she’d never see him again. She had nothing to say, nothing prepared.

He sat down at her table. “Ruby?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “Let’s talk.” She shut the door and walked to the table to join him, her hands shaking.

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