hrough his hair. This wasn't like him. He needed a reset, a distraction. Ruby. He could talk to Ruby. Easy, comfortable Ruby, his childhood friend. He picked up his phone.

ed." Now it was his turn to blink. A 'street girl' who was also a university student? The juxtaposition was jarring. "Oh. Right. Didn't... didn't realize." He shook his head, trying to catch up. "What about you? What are you doing here?" He released her wrist, though his hand lingered for a second before dropping. She straightened her clothes where he'd touched her. "Came to see a friend," he said, feeling suddenly foolish, standing here on campus confronting a woman he'd paid to sleep with. She nodded, as if this was the most normal conversation in the world. "A friend. Nice." Her eyes held that knowing glint again. He plunged into what was really bugging him. "Why'd you give me a fake number?" She smiled fully this time. "Didn't want unserious people bothering me, you know?" He let out a painful laugh, a short, sharp expulsion of air. "Unserious? I... did I seem unserious?" Her gaze swept over him, taking in his expensive watch, his SUV parked nearby. "Well, let's just say my time is valuable. I'm down for business. Purely business. Are you interested in that?" The question hung in the air, heavy and transactional. His gaze lingered on her mouth, then her eyes, feeling a pull that went beyond simple desire. He swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. Business. Right. That's what this was. That's all it could be. But the thought felt wrong, like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole when it came to her. Still, he had to try. He needed to make contact again, real contact. "Give me your number then," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "Please. Don't mess with me this time." She tilted her head slightly, considering him. Then, she reached into her backpack and pulled out a sleek, phone. "Nah," she said, holding it out. "You give me yours." He hesitated for a fraction of a second. This was unexpected. But it was progress. He pulled out his own phone and read his number aloud. She typed it in, her fingers quick and precise. Then, she pressed dial. His phone rang, loud in the quiet hum of the afternoon campus. He pulled it out. Her name, 'Gina', appeared on the screen. A ge