"You arranged all that?" My jaw literally dropped.


    Ryder reached over, one finger gently pushing my chin up to close my mouth. "I''ll have those lips parted againter. But I can only take partial credit. Logan had to handle the


    rest."


    "What do you mean by ''dismantle''?" A knot of anxiety tightened in my stomach.


    "I''m sorry, but there''s not much left to salvage. You''re going to need aplete overhaul. Look at it as an opportunity to change theyout or anything else you''ve been wanting to


    modify."


    "Ryder, I don''t have that kind of money. My father won''t pay for it, and you can''t just-"


    "Wait until we get there. See how you feel."


    His tone was gentle, indulgent even, like he was enjoying keeping me in suspense. It was infuriating and endearing all at once.


    If it really needs aplete rebuild, that''s going to cost a fortune. I don''t want to owe anyone, especially not Ryder. If he pays to rebuild my shop, I''ll give him my travel savings. Travel isn''t that important anyway... shit.


    When we pulled up to the shop, the yellow caution tape had already been removed. People were streaming in and out, carrying debris to arge dumpster parked outside.


    "What the hell is happening?” I murmured, more to myself than to Ryder.


    So many people... what are they doing here? Why would all these peoplee to help?


    "Xena! Hey!" Penelope came running toward me, a light sheen of sweat on her upper lip. Her curls bounced with each step. "I''m so d you''re here. We have a surprise for you!"


    "We?" I looked back at Ryder, who was leaning against his car, watching as Penelope tugged me along.


    My heart was racing, a mix of anxiety and anticipation flooding my system. What were they up to?


    There were so many people inside, clearing ss, vacuuming, tearing out damaged drywall, and dismantling what was left of the bathroom.


    "These are..."


    "That''s right. Every single person here is someone you''ve hired before, or helped in some


    way. Here, take this." Penelope handed me a folded piece of paper.


    I opened it to find a bank ount statement. The bnce read $7,156.


    "What is this?" My fingers trembled slightly as I stared at the numbers. It was a


    substantial amount to me.


    "It''s your money. All those times you helped at the club and wouldn''t take tips, all the work you did for the school and never got paid for. They''ve been giving it to me to hold. We all knew about your situation, knew how much you wanted to travel. I thought this


    would be better used here."


    I looked at the money, then at all the people who hade to help, and found myself


    speechless. Each person who came over to greet me, to ask how I was doing, warmed


    something inside me that I hadn''t realized had grown cold.


    All these people remember me. Every person I helped, they remembered. I always thought


    I was alone, unappreciated, but now... they''re all here for me. The feeling of being loved,


    of being cared for, was almost suffocating.


    I nearly jumped out of my skin when Ryder ced his hand on the small of my back.


    "Go inside and look," he said softly, giving me a gentle push forward.


    Dust hung in the air, mixed with the sharp scent of sweat and determination. The


    damaged walls had been stripped down to the studs, the bathroom waspletely gutted, and the floor was being prepared for recement.


    "It should all be done in a few hours," Penelope beamed. "What do you think?"


    "...I don''t know what to say..."


    It all felt so surreal, like a dream. Yesterday I was worried my shop was destroyed forever,


    and now, all these people were helping rebuild it.


    Chapter


    "Say thank you," Ryder whispered close to my ear.


    My vision blurred for a moment, tears threatening to spill before I blinked them away. This was my new beginning, one I never dared to imagine.


    "Thank you all! Penelope! Noelle! Dorian! Jovie! Kade! Thank you, everyone!" I bowed deeply to each of them, my heart overflowing.


    "Where do you want me to help?" I turned to Penelope eagerly.


    "This way." Penelope led me back outside toward her car. "Take these home with you. These are samples for flooring, wall colors, cabs, everything. I need you to decide what you want so I can ce the orders. Do you want to change theyout at all?"


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