Ziggy's apartment was filled with the faint aroma of truffle oil and garlic, a nostalgic scent that took him back to simpler, more complicated times. Ruby, perched on his lap, had just kissed him. A kiss that felt like a Pandora's box of emotions.
He pulled back slightly, his hands gently gripping her waist. "Ruby..."
But before he could continue, Ruby's phone buzzed on the countertop. She sighed, slipping off his lap with a dramatic flair. "Hold that thought."
Ziggy took a steadying breath as she checked her phone. Her carefree demeanor suddenly shifted, her brows knitting together as she read the message.
"Everything okay?" Ziggy asked, his voice tinged with concern.
Ruby hesitated before putting the phone down, plastering a smile back onto her face. "Of course. Just work stuff."
Ziggy narrowed his eyes but chose not to press further. He had learned that Ruby's version of "work stuff" often came with layers of half-truths.
