Page 59 of Ruin Me Gently

Silas

I know you’ve made three cups of coffee in the last hour and you’ve not touched a single one.

She went rigid, gaze flicking toward the counter, to the coffee. Then straight to where I stood across the street.

Her eyes stayed on me as she slowly picked up one of the mugs and raised it to her lips, taking a slow sip. Her face immediately contorted as she forced it down like it tasted like absolute garbage, and I had toswallow down a laugh.

Lilith

Ok now it’s just creepy.

Silas

It’s just an observation.

She sighed, tapping her nails against the phone before responding.

Lilith

Yeah? Then observe something else, asshole.

She looked back up at me, and flipped me off.

I actually laughed this time, a sharp exhale that fogged through my scarf and into the cold air.

She shook her head, muttering something under her breath before walking off in between the shelves out of sight.

The street had emptied, leaving only the distant hum of passing cars, and the faint buzz of streetlights overhead. She stood beneath the neon glow of the store’s ‘closed’ sign, fishing for her keys. A few quick tugs, a twist of the lock, a double check, and the metal security gate rattled shut behind her.

She turned and looked right at me.

I wanted to see what she’d do this time. How she’d react.

I lifted my hand and gave the barest flick of my fingers in a wave.

Her brows pinched and her lips parted slightly, like she wasthis closeto saying something. Instead, she let out a sigh that echoed across the street, rolled her eyes, and started walking.

I pushed off the lamppost I’d been leaning on and fell into step with her from across the street, keeping pace like a silent lunatic.

Halfway down the block, she stopped abruptly and turned toward me. “You’re being super fucking creepy right now!” she shouted over the road between us.

She pulled out her phone and typed.

My phone buzzed.

Lilith

STOP IT.

I smirked.Not a chance.

Silas

Just making sure you get home safe.

She groaned loudly, her head tipping back like she was longing for divine intervention.

“Have you done this before?” She shouted again, keeping her eyes ahead.

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