Chapter 48

**Summer's POV*

The next day, I found myself speaking with Amy in my office.

"Something's off about these numbers." I frowned at the spreadsheet on my desk, tapping my pen against the polished wood.

Amy leaned over my shoulder, "The withdrawal patterns are too systematic."she agreed. highlighting another row of data. "It's almost like-"

My phone's sudden buzz made us both jump. The familiar ringtone cut through the afternoon quiet of my Fortune Corp office, and something in my chest tightened when I saw the caller ID. *No way...*

"Hello?"

"Hey girl! Come pick me up!"

The voice hit me like a physical shock. "Ruby? You're back in New York?"

"Yep, your girl's back!" Her laugh hadn't changed at all, still carrying that infectious energy that had gotten us through countless all-nighters at Columbia. "Less talk, more action - comeget me!"

"Where are you?" My voice cracked with excitement. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" "Tell you later. I'm near Columbia. Car trouble, of course." Her tone carried that familiar mix of exasperation and amusement that made me want to laugh despite myself. "Got it, I'll be right there!"I turned to Amy, already gathering my things. "Something came up and I need to head out. Let's wrap up for today. If anyone asks, just say I'm out.

Amy's eyes flickered toward the door before returning to me."′′Okqy.But if Mr. Alexander Stark comes..."

"Don't worry about him, and don't tell him where I went!" The keys to Brandon's Porsche felt warm in my palm as I headed for the door. "Oh.and those files for the Stark Group project -give them directlyto Mr.Stark.Tell him I'm out doing field research."

The familiar streets around Columbia brought back a flood of memories as I navigated the Porsche through afternoon traffic.

I spotted Ruby before she saw me - the bright yellow sundress was impossible to miss, even if everything else about her had changed.Her once-long hair was now cut in a stylish bob, and her skin had darkened to a rich tan that spoke of serious time in the sun. She stood on the corner of 116th Street, somehow managing to juggle two ice cream cones while waving frantically with her free hand.

"Over here!"

"You've lost weight!" I couldn't help staring as I pulled up to the curb."And you're so tan! Why did you cut your hair? It was so beautiful!"

Ruby rolled her eyes, passing me one of the ice cream cones before climbing into the passenger seat. "Beautiful? Try maintaining long hair in Africa! Had to go practical. Plus it's way cooler like this!" "Africa?" I nearly dropped my ice cream. "What were you doing there?" "War correspondent." She grinned at my shocked expression. "What? Di you think I'd stay in Manhattan forever? Though speaking of changes...Her eyes traveled over the Porsche's interior with obvious appreciation. "Nice wheels! You're doing well for yourself!" Heat crept up my neck. "It's nothing special. I'm just an employee. If you're talking about the Porsche, it's my husband's."

The ice cream cone stopped halfway to Ruby's mouth. "Husband? What's going on? You said you and Alexander didn't get married?"

"We didn't." I kept my eyes fixed on the road ahead,grateful for the excuse not to meet her gaze. "I married someone else. It's... complicated."

Then I explained what had happened to Ruby briefly.

"So you married a guy you barely knew for a month?" The concern in her voice made my chest ache.

"Don't look at me like that. It's... not what you think."

Before she could respond, my phone buzzed. Brandon's name lit up the screen. making my pulse skip despite my best efforts to stay cool.

"It's me." His deep voice carried through the speaker. "When are you finishing work?"

"I... you might need to handle dinner yourself tonight."

"Hmm? Why's that? Meeting someone?"

"Yes, I'm out with a friend right now!"

"Tell your husband to join us!" Ruby called out, loud enough that I knew Brandon must have heard."Stop it!" I hissed, but Ruby just grinned wickedly. "Friend?" Something in Brandon's tone made my skin prickle. "Male or female?" "Hey Summer, let's meet this husband of yours!" Ruby's voice carried clear mischief. "You're married now, right? As your best friend, I need to check if he's hotl If he's not up to standard, dump him-I'll find you someone way better looking than that jerk Alexander!"

He+Sgood looking, he's good looking!" I felt my face flame. "Ruby,please stop!"

"Um...my friend's a bit crazy, just ignore her." I wanted tosink into the leather seats and disappear.

"I see." Was that amusement in his voice? "If it's your best friend,spend time with her.June."

My heart did a complicated flip at the nickname. "Huh? What is it?"

"Nothing.Come home soon."

"Okay, this won't take long. Um... what do you want to eat? I can bring something back?"

"Alright. I'll wait for you."

The moment I hung up, Ruby pounced. "Ooh, so your husband IS hot!"

"You're impossible!"

"What? How is this my fault? 'Husband'? Seems like you two get along pretty well?"

I couldn't quite hide my smile. "'It's... okay. He's not bad."

Ruby's expression softened. "As long as he treats you right. I was worried about the Alexander and Victoria situation affecting you, but seeing you now, I feel better. Stop being shy - if you're married, make the best of it.Bring him around sometime!"

"Okay!" The word came out more enthusiastic than I'd intended.

We ended up at our old favorite restaurant near campus. the familiar smells bringing back a rush of memories. Ruby caught me up on her adventures-the wildlife conservation projects in Africa, her new job at a major news outlet, the crazy stories she'd collected along the way. It felt like no time had passed at all.

My phone buzzed again just as we were finishing dessert. It was Brandon again.

"Stay out longer with your friend." His voice carried that gentle authority that never failed to make my pulse race.

"What? But you haven't had dinner- I was going to bring you something."

"Don't worry about it. I need to go out."

The silence stretched between us for a moment.

"I need to return to the Stark mansion." Something in his tone made me pause. "Some matters to attend to."

"Oh! That's fine then, go ahead. I'll stay out with Ruby a bit longer!"

But even after I hung up, something felt off.

"Earth to Summer!" Ruby waved her hand in front of my face."You're thinking about him again, aren't you?"

"What? No!" But the heat in my cheeks betrayed me. Ruby's grin turned knowing. "Girl, you've got it bad! But hey, at least this one seems better than Alexander. I mean, letting you use his fancy car?Actually caring about where you are and who you're with? That's already a huge upgrade!" I walked Ruby backs to her hotel, promising to meet up again soon. But as I drove home alone in Brandon's Porsche, the emptiness of the passenger seat felt more noticeable than usual. The familiar route to the Hamptons estate stretched out before me. and I couldn't help wondering what"matters" had called Brandon back to the Stark mansion.