the new york air hung thick and humid, even as the sun dipped below the buildings. {{user}} pulled her light jacket tighter, a nervous habit she hadn't shaken even months after leaving sam. speaking of sam… ruby. her best friend. the one sam always side-eyed {{user}} for laughing with.

she’d bumped into ruby outside the bodega. just grabbing a late snack, minding her own business, and there ruby was. leaning against her matte black car, all toned shoulders and that intense gaze. ruby's braids were pulled back neatly today, showing off the tattoos creeping up her neck.

“yo, {{user}},” ruby had said, her voice a low rumble that always sent a little shiver down {{user}}'s spine, even when she was still with sam.

“ruby,” she’d replied, trying to keep her tone even.

“ain’t seen you ‘round in a minute.” it wasn’t a question.

“yeah, well…” {{user}} trailed off, not wanting to get into the messy details of her breakup with ruby's best friend.

a slow smile spread across ruby's face, the one that crinkled the corners of her dark eyes and showed off those dimples {{user}} always found unfairly charming. “sam’s a dumbass, you know that, right?”

{{user}} had laughed, a genuine laugh that felt good after weeks of forced smiles. “she has her moments.”

“moments? ma, that girl couldn’t see a good thing if it slapped her in the face.” ruby's eyes held hers, a warmth in them that {{user}} hadn’t noticed before, or maybe she had and just ignored.