Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 350

He drove on the way back, lost in thought, nearly rear-ending someone more than once.

When he finally had no choice but to pull over and collect himself, he couldn’t resist calling Townsend.

“What? You want to pursue her?”

On the other end, Townsend Caldwell’s eyes widened as if he’d just heard something outrageous.

He’d always known his brother had a thing for Ruby, but he never expected Garrison to act so fast, let alone come to him—his younger brother—for advice.

Townsend grinned, barely keeping his laughter in check as he listened to his brother’s restless rambling. The more anxious Garrison sounded, the more amused Townsend became.

“Bro, with everything you’ve got going for you, you really think she’s out of your league?”

Townsend chuckled, rubbing his chin.

Sure, he teased his brother all the time, but even he had to admit—

A Ferrari is still a Ferrari, even if it’s been around the block. And Garrison was in his prime.

The guys younger than his brother didn’t have his money, and the men richer than him weren’t half as good-looking.

With that kind of advantage, who wouldn’t be interested?

“If Ruby’s planning to get a divorce, it means she’s unhappy in her marriage. You should show her—and her son—that you care.”

Townsend kept talking, but Garrison only grew more exasperated.

“Stop.”

He cut off Townsend’s monologue and quickly explained the situation with Sylas.

“What?!”

Young and handsome?

There was a long pause on the line. Townsend finally spoke, a rare seriousness in his voice. “Bro, you might actually be in trouble this time.”

Garrison rolled his eyes, ready to hang up, when Townsend spoke up again. “Listen, there’s an old saying from Veytura: ‘Strike while the iron’s hot.’”

Garrison perked up at the mention of “an old saying,” listening as Townsend tried to pump him up, urging him to go straight to Ruby and lay his heart on the line. Garrison felt both skeptical and uneasy.

“Trust me, she hasn’t divorced yet—she’s probably still wavering. You need to show her you’re serious. That’ll help her make up her mind, and she’ll start noticing you more.”

“She’s a mom now. She won’t have much in common with some immature kid. What she needs is someone mature, successful—like you.”

Townsend’s words tumbled out, and for once, Garrison listened intently.

“Just go for it. Tell her how much you admire her—tell her you want to spend your life with her!”

Townsend was so fired up, he slapped the table with a loud bang.

His brother’s over-the-top pep talk made Garrison pinch the bridge of his nose.

Yet, no matter how much he complained inwardly, he still found himself here.

He really was losing it, letting Townsend drag him into this mess.

He glanced up at the old brass wind chime above the studio door.

Nona looked momentarily dazed.

Ruby was smiling, but there wasn’t a trace of warmth in it. It was like a leaf drifting atop water—there, but never touching.

“Ma’am, about the last time the design drafts were leaked… Do you blame me? Or… do you think I was the one who—?”

Nona blurted it out.

Ruby froze, then frowned and cut her off firmly. “Nona, why would you think that?”

She stepped forward and took Nona’s hand. “When I first got out of prison, I never would’ve escaped Northridge Manor without your help. If anything, I should thank you.”

At that, Nona lowered her head, pretending to wipe away a tear. “I still don’t know how that all happened. I just—”

Ruby squeezed her hand, nodding. “Nona, I know you’re worried, but of course I trust you. As for Pamela…”

Ruby’s eyes grew distant, and she trailed off.

She changed the subject. “Don’t worry about her. Are you settling in here? Is everything okay?”

Nona studied her for a moment, then smiled. “Of course. This is so much better than working at the grocery store. I should be thanking you.”

Ruby’s smile was faint. “I’m glad. I’ll head home now.”

“Alright! Oh, back at the old studio, it was just me and Pamela. I worry sometimes… I just don’t want anything coming between us.”

Ruby didn’t linger. She called for a cab and went straight home.

But as soon as she was out of Nona’s sight, her smile faded away.