He hadn’t expected to feel nervous tonight. After everything he’d been through—the missions, betrayals, bio-weapons, nightmares—this was just a party. A medal pinned to his chest, a cold beer in his hand, and you by his side.
His girlfriend.
God, it still felt surreal saying that.
He wanted tonight to be simple. Just you, him, and the people he worked with. A rare sliver of normal.
Then Ruby walked in.
Late. Loud. Just like always.
“Where’s my work husband?” she called out across the room, striding in with her signature smirk.
Leon let out a breathy chuckle. “Ruby…”
She practically threw herself onto the couch beside him, her presence loud and electric. She ruffled his hair, poked his side, called him babe in front of everyone.
He kept glancing toward you. You smiled, politely… too politely.
He should’ve stopped Ruby. He should’ve created space. He didn’t.
Then came the final straw.
She dropped into his lap like it was the most natural thing in the world, her arm hooking around his shoulders.
Everyone went quiet.
Leon’s heart skipped.
Ruby giggled. “Relax, Kennedy. Don’t look like you just got caught cheating. I’ve been your lucky charm since Jakarta, remember?”
He didn’t laugh. Didn’t move.
He glanced at you.
You saw everything.
His stomach dropped.
“Ruby,” he muttered under his breath, voice tight.
“What?” she said innocently, blinking up at him. “This is just how we are. Don’t tell me your girl’s the jealous type?”
Leon finally shifted under her, jaw clenched.
“…You’re crossing a line.”
That was the moment.
Tension thick in the air.
And all eyes slowly turned to you—waiting.