Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 130

Impossible. Cassian thought to himself—if he really came to Quinborough, how could he not know?

But outwardly, his expression remained perfectly composed. He adjusted the cufflinks of his shirt with a practiced nonchalance. "There's an auction coming up," he said, "and I need a date."

"Then perhaps Mr. Veyne should hurry up and call Miss Gennifer," Ruby replied without looking up, absentmindedly playing with Mira in her lap.

Cassian faltered. His gaze lingered on Ruby's face, which was resolutely unreadable, her tone dismissive as if none of this mattered. The feeling lodged in his chest grew heavier—the way she'd once hated hearing about him and any other woman.

That thought pressed on him, leaving a tight, suffocating weight behind his ribs.

"Ruby, don't forget who you are," he said, voice sharp with frustration. "You're my wife. Gennifer is just an employee at the firm."

His words were edged, but when he met Ruby's eyes, he found only cool mockery there.

She curled her lips in a cold half-smile and shook her head. "Our divorce papers have been drafted for a while now," she said quietly. "I'm hardly your wife anymore, am I?"

"And besides," she added, "being Mr. Veyne's date is a coveted spot—half the women in town would kill for it. I have no desire to get dragged into that mess. If Gennifer can accompany you to the Graysons' family gathering, then surely she's the perfect choice for the auction as well. Sounds like a neat arrangement to me."

Her voice was light, almost indifferent. By the end, she didn't even bother to look Cassian's way.

Cassian's eyes flickered. Suddenly, he blurted out, "Ruby, are you just being spiteful?"

At the word "spiteful," Ruby stiffened, then shot him a strange look. "Careful, Mr. Veyne," she said coolly, "people can eat what they like, but they shouldn't say whatever comes to mind. Watch it, or I might sue you for slander."

Cassian's face paled with anger—and embarrassment. But he knew, deep down, that convincing Ruby to be his date was a lost cause.

Ruby raised her brows slightly. "Something similar?"

She bounced Mira gently. "The auction? Or the plus-one?"

"Both, actually. I'm guessing the event your husband mentioned is the same one I'm attending. I was invited too, and I also need a date. But I hardly know anyone in Quinborough yet. Honestly, you're the only person I could think to ask."

His apologetic laugh came through the phone, warm and sincere.

Ruby had been resolute in turning Cassian down, but with Sylas, she hesitated. He hadn't known her long, but he'd always gone out of his way to help her. Refusing him outright felt ungrateful, especially given all he'd done for Mira and her.

She pressed her lips together, glancing at Mira as she answered, her tone polite but firm. "I'm afraid I can't. I don't feel comfortable leaving Mira home alone."