The Woman He Laughed At in the Rain
Part 1: The Mud on the Coat
Rain fell steadily across the financial district.
People hurried between buildings beneath umbrellas.
Black cars rolled through wet streets.
And on one crowded sidewalk, Evelyn Brooks walked toward a glass office tower carrying a leather portfolio beneath her cream-white trench coat.
She had an important meeting in less than twenty minutes.
Not that anyone passing her would have known.
She looked like any other professional navigating another rainy morning.
Then a black SUV accelerated through a deep puddle.
Water exploded onto the sidewalk.
Mud splashed across Evelyn’s coat.
Across her gloves.
Across her dress.
Several pedestrians stopped and stared.
The SUV slowed briefly.
The passenger window lowered.
A man in a dark gray suit leaned out.
Ryan Cole.
Young.
Confident.
The kind of confidence that comes from believing you are already successful.
He glanced at Evelyn.
Then laughed.
“Some of us actually have places to be!”
The SUV pulled away.
Ryan never looked back.
Evelyn stood motionless for a moment.
Mud dripped from her sleeves.
Her gloves tightened slightly.
May you like
Then relaxed.
Without saying a word, she continued walking.
