The first time Ruby asked Nicole out on a date, Nicole assumed it was a one-time thing. Just something Ruby did to get her back to her apartment for a night of fun.
But it wasn’t a one-time thing.
Now, Nicole was stuck navigating the messy reality of being caught between two people.
On the dining room floor, she’d flirt with Brad—his messy hair, those strong arms, the way he’d crack jokes to keep the energy light even when customers were being awful. And then on her breaks, she’d slip into the back and find Ruby. Ruby, with her inked-up left arm, her snarky attitude, and that cocky grin that always seemed to pull Nicole in. Ruby would tug her into the walk-in cooler, press her against the shelves, and kiss her until her head spun.
It was exhilarating, having two people vying for her attention, wanting her, seeing her as someone worth chasing. It made her feel powerful. Beautiful.
But it was also starting to unravel her.
Brad was straightforward, sweet. Their hangouts were casual—mostly sex, followed by Nicole sneaking out before she said something that might give too much away. Ruby was different. She took Nicole on real dates. She listened, asked questions, made Nicole feel like she actually cared.
And that scared Nicole. She could feel herself falling for both of them, and she couldn’t let that happen. Not when she couldn’t figure out what she wanted.
So she started avoiding them both.
It didn’t work. Brad spent the whole shift brushing against her whenever he passed, flashing her those soft, warm smiles that made her stomach flip. And Ruby? Ruby’s sharp gaze tracked her every move, her expression unreadable but intense.
Nicole managed to avoid direct interaction—until she walked into the walk-in cooler.
Ruby and Brad were both there, searching the shelves for separate things. Nicole’s heart dropped into her stomach.
“Hey, Nicole,” they said in unison.
Oh, God.
“Uh, hey,” she mumbled, her voice shaky. She wanted to disappear on the spot, and she mentally kicked herself for sounding so obviously rattled.
Brad frowned, his brows knitting together in confusion. That crease between them—it was so familiar, so endearing, and she hated how badly she wanted to smooth it out with her thumb. But before he could say anything, Joey’s voice barked out from the front.
“Runners! Let’s go!”
Brad shook off the moment, gave her a quick nod, and left, the walk-in door swinging shut behind him.
Nicole barely had time to exhale before Ruby grabbed her wrist.
“Nicole, can I talk to you?” Ruby’s voice was calm, but her grip was firm.
Nicole sighed. So much for avoiding them.
“Yeah, what’s up?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest as the cold seeped into her skin.
Ruby hesitated, her usual confidence faltering. She rubbed the back of her neck, glancing at the shelves as though searching for courage among the neatly stacked boxes.
“Okay, so, um... I’ve been thinking,” Ruby started, her words tumbling out quickly. “I know that every time we hang out, it’s always at my place. And yeah, I like cooking for you—I really do—but, like, I feel like I’m giving the impression that I’m not trying or that I don’t care enough to actually take you somewhere nice. And that’s not true! I care a lot. Probably too much, if I’m being honest.”
Nicole blinked, caught off guard by Ruby’s nervous rambling.
“And it’s not like I think you don’t deserve it, because you do—God, you do. You deserve more than just, like, spaghetti in my apartment and me hoping you’ll like it because I added fresh basil for once.” Ruby huffed a frustrated breath, running a hand through her hair. “Anyway, I want to take you to an actual restaurant. Somewhere with candles on the tables and wine lists that I don’t understand. I want to do this right.”
Nicole’s heart softened as she watched Ruby fidget, her tough exterior cracking. It was so unlike her, but it was endearing in a way that made Nicole’s chest ache.
“You free tonight?” Ruby finally asked, her voice quieter now. “I want to take you out. Like, a real date. One that isn’t just me burning garlic because I got distracted watching you.”
Nicole should’ve said no. She should’ve made an excuse. But the way Ruby was looking at her—with so much hope, so much vulnerability—made it impossible.
“Yeah,” Nicole said softly. “I’m free. Pick me up at seven?”
Ruby’s face lit up, a smile spreading across her lips. She stepped closer, her hands sliding around Nicole’s waist, warming her against the cold.
“Alright. I’ll see you then, baby,” Ruby said, her voice steadier now but still tinged with shyness.
Nicole swallowed hard, trying to ignore how her heart raced. “Guess you will,” she managed, her voice awkward and uneven. She wasn’t like this with Brad. Why was Ruby making her so nervous?
Before she could spiral further, Ruby leaned in and kissed her.
It wasn’t like the fiery, chaotic kisses she shared with Brad. Ruby’s kiss was slow, gentle, and deliberate—like she was scared of breaking Nicole. She tasted like cigarettes and coffee, and Nicole thought it might be the best combination she’d ever encountered.
When Ruby pulled back, she smirked, her confidence returning. “See you later,” she said, and then she was gone, leaving Nicole standing there, breathless and bewildered.
Nicole leaned her forehead against the cold metal shelf, trying to steady herself.
“What the fuck,” she muttered.
She had a date to prepare for.
~
She went home after her shift and went through her closet, trying to find something to wear. She wanted to look nice and she had no clue where ruby was taking her so she settled on a black dress that made her boobs look good.
She redid her hair, recurling some parts of it and put on a little more makeup and a generous amount of her favorite perfume and it wasnt long before ruby texted her telling her she was outside.
She grabbed her purse and put on her heels and went out.
“Wow–I mean just you're gorgeous” Ruby stuttered as she saw Nicole. The complement made Nicole’s cheeks tinge with pink. Ruby was wearing a black button up shirt with the first three buttons undone and black slacks and converse.
“You look so hot” Nicole said suddenly. Okay way to lay it on thick there Nicole.
Ruby chuckled, thankfully, and Nicole didn't miss the way the tips of her ears flushed red.
“Can we take my car? I don't want my hair to get messed up” Nicole said, pouting a bit.
Ruby smiled slightly and nodded her head. “Come on you baby, I'm still driving though” Ruby said handing out her hand for Nicole's keys.
“I'm not a baby I just don't want my hair to be messed up” Nicole retorted as she handed ruby her keys.
“Mhm okay” Ruby said walking to the car with her hand on the small of Nicole’s back.
~
The ride to the restaurant was lively, filled with Nicole teasing Ruby about her reckless driving and Ruby throwing barbs about Nicole’s predictable music taste. The banter was effortless, the kind that made Nicole laugh until her cheeks ached, and her chest felt lighter.
For a moment, she forgot about everything—the complications, Brad, the messiness of her own emotions. She forgot until Ruby’s hand left the steering wheel and rested lightly on her thigh.
“You’re really laying on the charm tonight, huh?” Nicole teased, her heart beating faster as she interlaced their fingers.
“Just trying to show you I can do fancy,” Ruby replied with a small smirk, her thumb brushing gently over Nicole’s knuckles.
And it hit Nicole all over again: how different Ruby was from Brad. Ruby challenged her, teased her back, made her feel seen in ways Brad never did.
~
The restaurant was stunning, the soft orange glow of the lighting making the space feel warm and intimate. It was more upscale than anywhere Nicole had ever been, and she felt a little out of place—but Ruby, with her hand on the small of Nicole’s back, made her feel steady.
“This is… really nice,” Nicole said, her voice tinged with awe as they were led to their table.
“I’m glad you like it,” Ruby replied, chuckling softly. She smelled of wood and musk, and Nicole had to remind herself to focus.
Dinner started perfectly. They eased into their usual rhythm of playful teasing, sipping wine and laughing as they shared their appetizer. For the first time in a long while, Nicole allowed herself to relax. She began to wonder if, maybe, she could envision a future with Ruby.
But then she saw him.
Brad.
He was sitting across the room, leaning close to another woman. Her stomach dropped as she watched him laugh at something she said, his hand resting casually on her arm.
Ruby noticed immediately. “What’s wrong?” she asked, her tone soft but concerned.
Nicole froze, her pulse quickening. “It’s… nothing,” she said, trying to brush it off.
Ruby frowned, following her gaze. When her eyes landed on Brad, confusion flashed across her face. “Wait, is that Brad? Why is Brad here?”
Nicole didn’t have an answer. Her heart twisted painfully in her chest as she stared at him.
And then, as if drawn by her gaze, Brad turned—and saw her.
Oh no.
Nicole’s breath hitched as he smiled and started walking toward their table. She ducked her head, wanting nothing more than to disappear.
“Hey, Nicole. Hey, Ruby,” Brad said, his tone casual, like they were just coworkers bumping into each other at the office. His eyes flicked between them, lingering a little too long on Nicole. “Just wanted to let you know I won’t be able to come over tomorrow for our… usual meeting. Something came up.”
Nicole’s cheeks burned, her mind racing. Was this his way of ending things? His way of making her feel small?
Ruby’s brow furrowed as she looked between them, piecing things together. “Wait a minute,” she said slowly, her voice tinged with disbelief. “What ‘usual meeting’?”
“Ruby, I—” Nicole started, but Brad cut her off with a smirk.
“Don’t worry about it. Just like server stuff, you know?” he said lightly before walking back to his date.
Ruby stared after him, her jaw tightening. She turned back to Nicole, her eyes a mix of confusion and hurt. “What the hell was that?”
Nicole looked away, guilt clawing at her insides. “Ruby, I can explain—”
“Don’t,” Ruby said sharply, finishing her wine in one long gulp and setting the glass down with more force than necessary. “We’re leaving.”
Her tone left no room for argument. Nicole followed her silently, her stomach churning as they walked to the car.
~
The drive to Ruby’s apartment was suffocatingly silent. Ruby’s hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, her jaw clenched. Nicole didn’t know what to say—didn’t even know where to begin.
When they arrived, Ruby led the way inside without a word, the apartment dark and eerily quiet. She didn’t bother turning on the lights.
“What the hell was that, Nicole?” Ruby finally asked, breaking the silence. Her voice trembled, a mixture of anger and pain.
Nicole hesitated, her heart pounding. “Ruby, I—”
“No,” Ruby interrupted, her voice rising slightly. “Don’t try to explain it away. I’m not stupid. That wasn’t just some ‘server thing.’” She paused, taking a shaky breath. “What’s going on with you and Brad?”
Nicole looked down, tears pricking her eyes. “It’s complicated.”
Ruby laughed bitterly. “Complicated? Nicole, you’re sitting here, letting me take you out, hold your hand, kiss you—and meanwhile, you’ve got him on the side? Are you kidding me?”
“It wasn’t supposed to be like this,” Nicole said softly, shaking her head.
“Like what?” Ruby snapped. “Like me falling for you?”
Nicole’s breath caught, and she looked up to see Ruby’s face—angry, yes, but also heartbreakingly vulnerable.
“I really like you, Nicole,” Ruby said, her voice cracking. “I’ve been trying so hard to show you that I’m serious about this—about us. And you…” She trailed off, running a hand through her hair.
Nicole’s tears spilled over. “I can’t do this, Ruby.”
“Why not?” Ruby demanded, stepping closer. “What is it about me that’s not enough? Is it because I’m not Brad? Because I’m not some guy you can parade around?”
Nicole flinched. “It’s not that.”
“Then what?” Ruby asked, her voice quieter now, almost pleading.
“It’s… because you’re a girl,” Nicole whispered, her words barely audible.
Ruby froze, the hurt in her eyes giving way to raw devastation. She stepped back, her hand dropping to her side. “Wow,” she said flatly, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Ruby, I’m sorry,” Nicole said, her voice trembling.
“Don’t,” Ruby snapped. “Don’t apologize. You knew exactly what you were doing, Nicole. You let me hope. You let me think…” She trailed off, her voice breaking.
The silence that followed was unbearable. Ruby turned away, her shoulders shaking as she tried to compose herself.
“Get out,” she said finally, her voice cold and distant.
Nicole hesitated. “Ruby—”
“Just go,” Ruby said, her back still to Nicole.
And with that, Nicole left, the door closing behind her with a quiet finality that echoed in the emptiness Ruby felt.
~
Ruby quit the Bistro a few days later, and Nicole felt her absence like a physical weight pressing down on her chest. The kitchen, once alive with Ruby’s quick wit and easy banter, now felt unbearably quiet. Nicole told herself it was for the best. That Ruby was better off without her. But no matter how hard she tried to convince herself, the guilt lingered, sharp and unrelenting.
At first, she tried to bury herself in work, picking up extra shifts and staying late to clean even when it wasn’t her turn. She told herself it was fine, that she didn’t need to think about Ruby. But every time her mind wandered, it went back to that last conversation—the anger in Ruby’s voice, the hurt in her eyes.
She kept thinking about the way Ruby looked at her, like Nicole was the only person in the world who mattered. And how she’d ruined it.
~
A week passed, and the guilt only grew worse. Nicole avoided her coworkers' curious glances and the whispers about why Ruby had suddenly quit. She didn’t need anyone to spell it out for her; she already knew it was her fault.
One night, after another long shift, Nicole sat alone in her apartment. The silence was deafening. She glanced at her phone, Ruby’s number still pinned at the top of her contacts. Her finger hovered over it, but she couldn’t bring herself to hit call.
Instead, she stared at the ceiling, memories of Ruby flooding her mind: the way she made Nicole laugh without trying, how she always smelled faintly of cigarettes and sandalwood, the way she could make Nicole feel like the most important person in the room with just a look.
Nicole wiped at her eyes, frustrated. Why can’t I just let this go?
Deep down, she knew why.
~
Two weeks after Ruby quit, Nicole reached her breaking point.
It happened during a slow afternoon at the Bistro. She was cleaning tables when one of her coworkers, Bridgette, walked over with a knowing look.
“So,” Bridgette said, leaning on a chair. “You ever going to talk to her?”
Nicole froze, her rag stilling on the table. “What are you talking about?”
“Ruby,” Bridgette said, like it was obvious. “She quit because of you, didn’t she?”
Nicole didn’t respond, but the guilt on her face must have been answer enough because Bridgette sighed.
“Look, I don’t know what happened between you two, but Ruby cared about you. A lot. And if you care about her, maybe you should, I don’t know, do something instead of moping around here all day.”
Nicole frowned, looking down at the table. “It’s not that simple.”
“Isn’t it?” Bridgette asked. “Because from where I’m standing, it seems pretty simple. Either you care about her or you don’t.”
Nicole didn’t answer. But that night, as she lay in bed staring at her ceiling, Bridgette’s words echoed in her mind.
~
It took another two days for Nicole to finally work up the courage to call Ruby.
The phone rang three times before it went to voicemail, and Nicole’s stomach twisted. She hung up, her palms clammy. Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe she doesn’t want to hear from me.
But then her phone buzzed, and she nearly dropped it in her haste to pick up.
“Hello?” Ruby’s voice was cautious, guarded.
Nicole’s heart stuttered. “Hey, it’s… it’s Nicole.”
There was a pause. “What do you want?” Ruby asked, her tone clipped.
“I—I just wanted to talk,” Nicole said, her voice trembling. “Please.”
Another pause, longer this time. “Fine. Tomorrow. Coffee shop on 8th. Noon.”
Before Nicole could respond, Ruby hung up.
~
The next day, Nicole arrived at the coffee shop fifteen minutes early. She was nervous, her hands shaking as she clutched her latte.
Ruby arrived right on time, her expression unreadable. She slid into the seat across from Nicole without a word, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Thanks for coming I got you a coffee,” Nicole said, her voice soft sliding the coffee towards Ruby.
Ruby raised an eyebrow grabbing the cup and taking a small sip. “What do you want, Nicole?”
Nicole swallowed hard, her hands twisting in her lap. “I wanted to apologize. For everything. For hurting you.”
Ruby’s expression didn’t change. “And?”
Nicole took a deep breath, her chest tightening. “I was scared,” she admitted. “Of what people would think, of what it would mean for me. I’ve spent my whole life trying to live up to other people’s expectations, trying to be what they wanted me to be. And when I started falling for you, it scared me. Because it felt right, and I didn’t know what to do with that.”
Ruby’s eyes softened, but she didn’t say anything.
“I grew up in a really strict Christian household,” Nicole continued, her voice breaking. “I was taught that loving someone like you was wrong. That it made you a bad person. And I spent my whole life believing that. But now… now I don’t know what I believe anymore. All I know is that I care about you. A lot. And I hate that I hurt you.”
Ruby looked away, her jaw tightening. “You really messed me up, you know that?”
“I know,” Nicole said, tears welling in her eyes. “And I’m so sorry. I’ll do whatever it takes to make it right. I just… I don’t want to lose you.”
Ruby was silent for a long moment before finally meeting Nicole’s gaze. “Do you mean that?”
“I do,” Nicole said, her voice firm despite her tears. “I don’t have it all figured out yet, but I want to. With you.”
For the first time, Ruby’s expression softened completely. She reached across the table, her fingers brushing against Nicole’s. “You really hurt me nicole, I was in love with you, I still am and its going to be a lot of work for me to be able to trust you again, but Im willing to make it work if you are” Nicole nodded, her chest swelling with a mix of relief and hope. “I’d like that. A lot.”
And for the first time in weeks, she felt like she could finally breathe again.