I Won't Hate You

“Hmm?” Ruby shifted her eyes from the screen and looked back at Ed.

“What?” Ed asked in return.

“You said something.” Ruby heard something but wasn't sure what.

“Really? I didn't say anything.” Ed shook his head in denial. Ed just realized he had said it out loud. He had intended to keep it in his head.

“Oh, okay.” Ruby was hesitant, convinced she heard something. But she couldn't insist if Ed himself didn't feel he had said anything.

“You’re twenty-four,” Ed said suddenly.

Ruby turned again. “Age? Yes. I'm twenty-four.” Ruby didn't need to think while answering, given that she and Liz were of the same age. Ed should know that too.

“You don’t look twenty-four.”

Ruby finally put down her phone. It was her turn to feel a bit offended. She didn’t understand why Ed suddenly brought up age, but the statement ‘not like 24’ stung. Her face shouldn’t look that old. Discussing age was a sensitive topic for women.

“Then how old do I look?” Ruby tried not to sound snappy, but she still sounded c