Chapter 16
Rue’s eyes lit up. “Of course I’m going! I’ve been dying to try that new place Ava booked.”
Then she glanced at Shane, curiosity tugging at her voice. “But wait—you hate these kinds of events. Why the change of heart?”
Shane let out a soft chuckle, his features relaxing. “No reason. Just figured I’d ask. Anyway, if anything else comes up, call me.”
“Got it,” Rue replied, clutching the appointment slip as she walked out.
Shane stood at the door, watching until she was completely out of sight, then turned back to his desk with a storm in his eyes.
Driving home, Rue dug her phone out of her tote and dialed her brother.
“Hey, what do you want for lunch?”
She balanced the phone between her ear and shoulder, rummaging for her car keys.
Liam’s voice crackled on the other end, as lazy as ever. “If you made it, I’d eat poison.”
“Gross. Shut up.”
She laughed, sliding into the driver’s seat. “How about sweet and sour ribs? You said you wanted them last week.”
“Sounds great. And throw in some sautéed bok choy.”
Then his tone suddenly shifted. “Don’t drown it in oil, alright? I’m not trying to die fat and single before I find you a sister-in-law.”
“Whatever, drama queen,” she said, hanging up with a smirk.
Noon rolled around. Rue walked into Liam’s office with a hot meal in a thermal bag—only to stop dead in her tracks.
Julian Carter was sitting on the sofa, going through some documents. When he looked up, his gaze landed squarely on her.
“Miss Rue,” he said calmly, nodding like this wasn’t the most awkward thing in the world.
She froze, nearly dropping the bag.
Liam popped out of the back room and grinned. “Finally! I’m starving.”
Rue composed herself, walked past Julian, and set the food down in the break room.
“You didn’t tell me you had a client here.”
“He insisted on staying,” Liam said around a mouthful of ribs. “Said he likes the vibe here. Pays by the hour. What am I supposed to do, kick him out?”
Rue scowled at Julian, who poured himself tea like they were all just background noise.
She stepped out, shut the door to the break room behind her, and turned to face him.
“Mr. Carter.”
He looked up slowly.
“Yesterday, you mistook me for your wife. Is it because I look like her?”
His fingers tightened around the teacup, nearly spilling it.
“Yes.”
“But… she passed away a year ago.”
Her voice was steady, but her nails dug into her palm.
“Why do you think she’s still alive?”
Julian set the cup down. The clink of porcelain on glass sounded like a shot.
“Because she didn’t belong to this world.”
Rue’s heart skipped. “Excuse me?”
He leaned in, eyes dark and dangerous.
“You’ve asked enough questions. Now it’s my turn.”
She took a step back, instinctively. “Go ahead.”
“Do you have a shellfish allergy?”
“What? Just to crab.”
“Cilantro?”
“Hate it.”
“How many sugars in your coffee?”
“One,” she said, now frowning. “Why does any of this matter?”
Julian sank back into the sofa, eyes narrowing like something just clicked.
“She said she was a player—from another world.”
Rue’s pupils dilated. Her spine stiffened.
But then he added lightly, “Just kidding. My wife was just a regular woman. Nothing magical about her.”
Rue let out a shaky breath. Her hands were trembling.
“Mr. Carter, that’s not funny.”
“Is it not?”
He stared down at the wedding band on his hand, voice barely audible.
“Because when she said she was disappearing, I thought she was joking too.”
