Chapter 256

Tessa’s POV

After leaving Ruby’s apartment, I was numb for the rest of the evening. I don’t even remember going back to Joseph’s house. Joseph held me in his arms for the rest of the night, kissing the back of my shoulder and rubbing his hands up and down my spine, causing goosebumps to form on my flesh.

It wasn’t until I felt safe in his arms, snuggled against him in bed, that the dam inside of me broke and tears soaked his pillow. My body trembled as a small sob escaped my lips. I covered my mouth to keep them from consuming me, but it was no use.

I couldn’t help it.

I had just lost my best friend.

Ruby was never going to forgive me. She had been my best friend since I moved to the city; she was the first girl who treated me like I belonged.

Now I no longer had her.

“She’s going to forgive you,” Joseph whispered as I blubbered like a baby in his arms. He held me tighter as my sobs intensified.

I couldn’t even speak.

How had this all gone so horribly wrong?

This wasn’t how I imagined post-graduation.

By the next morning, I was back to being numb. It was a sleepless night and I’m sure I looked like absolute shit. But I didn’t care.

My heart hurt way too much.

I decided the only way to feel better was to take a shower and get dressed. So, that’s exactly what I did. After I was done in the shower, I felt at least human.

A numb human, but still a human.

I threw my hair up in a messy bun, put on some jeans and a sweatshirt, then left the bathroom and joined Joseph in the kitchen.

Instantly I smelled the amazing scent of eggs and bacon. My stomach growled, indicating that I was hungry, but I wasn’t sure I had it in me to eat.

“It smells good,” I told him, wrapping my arms around his waist and kissing his back.

“Good morning,” he said to me, turning his head so he could capture my lips with his. “How are you feeling?”

I lifted a shoulder.

“Like crap,” I admitted. “I figured a shower would help.”

“And did it help?”

“A little,” I told him.

“Good,” he said in response. “I’m making breakfast.”

“I see that,” I told him, peering around him and at the sizzling bacon. “I don’t know if I have it in me to eat though.”

“I’d like you to try,” he told me; it wasn’t a commanding tone, it was a gentle one. It was like he was afraid he’d break me if he spoke any louder.

Maybe he would.

I probably looked as fragile as I felt.

I didn’t argue with him; I only nodded and grabbed 2 of plates from the cabinet, bringing them to him.

“I woke up thinking that last night was a horrible dream,” I admitted, leaning against the island counter as I watched him plate the food. “That Ruby didn’t actually hate me.”

“She doesn’t hate you,” Joseph said, glancing over his shoulder and meeting my eyes. “She was hurt and hurt people… hurt people. People say a lot of terrible things when they are hurting but it doesn’t mean she meant those things.”

“How can you be so sure?” I asked, feeling tears forming in my eyes again. I didn’t want to cry again; I cried so much last night and now I just wanted the tears to stop.

“Because she’s Ruby,” he said with a shrug as if that was all the explanation needed. “And you are Tessa. She loves you.”

Once upon a time, I would have believed that. But not after what she said last night. She told me she never wanted to see me again. The worst part was, I couldn’t even blame her.

Joseph turned and handed me a plate filled with food.

“Want some coffee?” He asked as he grabbed a couple of mugs from the cabinet. “It’s freshly brewed.”

I nodded.

“Yes, please,” I answered as I went to the kitchen table.

Joseph poured a mug of coffee and brought it to me before grabbing his own coffee and plate of food; then, he joined me at the table.

We ate mainly in silence; it wasn’t an awkward silence though. It was nice not having to fill the void with pointless conversation. I’m sure the heaviness of last night still took occupancy in our minds.

By the time we finished eating, Joseph grabbed the dishes to wash them.

“I can do that,” I told him, attempting to grab my plate from him. I was eager for a distraction.

He shook his head.

“Just relax, I got it,” he assured me.

I blinked a couple of times.

“You cooked; I should clean,” I told him.

“It’s honestly fine,” he told me, walking past me and toward the sink.

I sighed, my frown deep.

When I didn’t say anything, he looked over his shoulder at me.

“So, I did a little research last night and found some houses in New York that I think we should check out.”

My eyes widened.

“What?” I asked, my heart thumping quickly against my chest. “You searched houses?”

He nodded.

“Well, yeah. I mean, you have an interview with Fable Magazine soon and I thought it would be good to be prepared.”

I had completely forgotten about my interview with Fable Magazine. It was rescheduled for Monday. They were giving me a second chance after I bailed on the last interview which was scheduled a couple of weeks ago.

I was so excited about this opportunity, but now I wasn’t sure I wanted to move to New York knowing that’s where Ruby intends to live. But it’s not like I could avoid her forever; I can’t put my life on hold to please her.

“I already contacted the real estate agent and she said we can go there tomorrow evening to check out some locations,” he told me. “If you are up for it.”

I nodded, that uncertainty heavy in my chest.

“I should probably send the head editor an email and let them know I’ll still be attending the interview,” I told him.

He nodded in response.

“Oh, that reminds me. Your new phone was dropped off. I put it on the nightstand in my room. Same number and everything,” he told me, much to my surprise.

“How did you manage that?” I asked, raising my brows.

He shrugged.

“The Nightwalker police,” he told me.

That made sense: the Nightwalker police could do literally anything in a short amount of time.

I kissed him before I went to his bedroom to grab my new phone. It was late morning, and I knew the editor would be in the office.

The phone looked like my old phone, only with a different case. I was surprised that they had it all set up and everything.

As my phone screen came to life, my entire heart fell deep into my stomach when I saw Ruby’s name flash across the screen. She had texted me early this morning.

My mouth hung open and a tight knot formed in the pit of my stomach, only tightening with every breath that I took.

I wasn’t sure what to expect and my finger hovered over the message icon, terrified of what I was about to read.

Taking a deep breath, I clicked her name and brought up the message.

Ruby: Hey, I’m on a train by myself for the first time. I’m a little nervous but excited. I have an interview with the CH fashion industry in New York City. I’m sorry about how I acted last night, but I needed someone to tell. Also, you’ll never believe who showed up at my house this morning. Do you believe in second chances? Maybe we can talk when I get back? I miss you.

I nearly dropped my phone when I read her last sentence.

“I miss you.”

She misses me.

Tears filled my eyes and with trembling fingers, I typed out my message to her.

Me: I’m so sorry for hurting you, Ruby. I love you so much and I never meant to worry you. I’m so happy for you! Good luck with your interview! I’d love to talk when you get back. I miss you so much.

I re-read the message before pressing send.

Then I sent another message.

Me: Who stopped by this morning?”

I pressed send and waited a few minutes for her to respond, but she didn’t. I sighed and opened my emails. The very first email that popped up was from Megan Huxley, the head Editor and CEO of Fable Magazine, New York Branch.

For this past year, I’ve written stories for the Fable Magazine website, but the New York branch was the Fable Magazine hard copies. An actual magazine that gets sold in millions of locations all around the world.

There were a couple of different branch locations, but the New York City branch was the largest in the world and I had an opportunity to work for them. Excited wasn’t even an understatement. But seeing that they emailed me a few days ago, the knot in my stomach only tightened more.

With a racing heart, I opened the email.

Hello, Tessa,

This is Megan Huxley, head editor and CEO of Fable Magazine's New York branch. I’m just reaching out to confirm your interview for Monday at 1 pm. We had to reschedule once after you failed to make an appearance and we don’t plan on rescheduling again. I’d prefer it if our time wasn’t wasted this time around.

Please confirm that you will be here.

Thank you!

Megan Huxley.

I pressed reply and typed out my own message.

Hello, Megan.

Yes, I will definitely be there on Monday at 1 pm. I truly apologize for my absence during the last interview, and I assure you that will never happen again. I look forward to meeting with you.

Thank you!

Tessa Campbell.

After I pressed send, I felt a little lighter. Things were finally coming back together.

When I walked back into the kitchen, Joseph was no longer there. Frowning, I went into the living room area and paused when I saw who was sitting on the couch.