"Sure." Ryder stood up and walked over to sit beside me, his body heat immediately warming the space between us.


    "Here are my inspiration pictures." I


    the tab with the giraffe image.


    "I like it. Surprised you picked this, though."


    is eyebrow arched slightly, those green eyes studying me with curiosity.


    "Why?" I asked, genuinely wondering what he''d expected


    "Thought you''d go with something more like your shop''s style."


    "Oh, no. I don''t want that vibe for the office." I flipped to the second tab, showing him paint colors and carpet samples.


    "Looks good. What about the desk?"


    "Keep an open mind," I warned as I flipped to the final tab. Ryder''s expression shifted to surprise, but he didn''t immediatelyment. My stomach tightened, waiting for his reaction. Did he hate it? Was he just being polite?


    "This is what you want?" he finally asked.


    "Yeah, they need restoration work," I said with forced confidence, though the scope of the project made me nervous inside.


    "They definitely need work, but if you can pull it off, they''ll make great desks." Ryder''s answer made the tension drain from my shoulders.


    "You really want these? I could find something more modern if you prefer." I offered, still testing his reaction.


    "No, I like what you picked. It''ll just be a big project."


    “Because I don''t already have enough on my te?" I asked sarcastically, though


    secretly pleased he''d epted my choice.


    Ryder half-smiled. "Something like that."


    "Jeez." I yfully pushed him, my hand lingering against his solid chest for a moment longer than necessary.


    "You forgot the flooring," he pointed out.


    "Oh right! Can''t we use what''s already there?" I asked, hoping to save some work and budget.


    "Probably. We''ll ask my mom when she gets back."


    "Am I spending too much?" I worried aloud.


    5


    "You''ve barely spent anything." Ryder got up and returned to his desk to continue working. After clicking the purchase button, the website showed the items would arrive Wednesday. His mother''s membership clearly came with expedited shipping. A thrill ran through me at the thought of starting this project soon.


    "I''ll start there, and we can decide on decorations after we finish."


    "Fine." Ryder only half-listened, his attention returned to his work. I could tell his mind was elsewhere, so I decided to leave him to it and start my own project.


    Chapter 163.


    "I''m going to get my art suppifes," I said, heading for the door.


    "Want me toe with you?" Ryder looked up.


    It''s fine. I''ll only be gone five minutes."


    "I''ming to find you after six minutes." Ryder muttered, eyes returning to his documents.


    "Is that a promise?" I asked as I walked out. He shed me a mock-evil smile before returning to his paperwork.


    I went upstairs and grabbed my art supplies, then headed back down "You''re thirty seconds early," Rydermented when I


    returned.


    "Oh no, let me try again," I joked, sitting down.


    Taking out my sketchpad, I froze. What should I draw?


    My thoughts drifted to Samuel and his father. Aplex wave of emotions


    washed over me-nostalgia, grief, and a faint twinge of guilt.


    I began sketching what I imagined his memorial tree would look like fully grown. A massive ash tree. Vibrant, with sturdy branches. I lost myselfpletely in the creation, working straight through until lunchtime.


    "That looks really beautiful." I hadn''t even noticed Ryder standing behind me. He spoke just as I was finishing the shading.


    "It''s how I imagine Samuel''s tree when it''s fully grown," I said softly.


    "I think it would look nice hanging in our new office." Ryder picked up the sketchpad, examining it carefully. I was speechless, unsure how to respond. Time and again, I''d mentioned Samuel, and he''d never shown difort. Something warm bloomed in my


    chest.


    Ryder set down the sketch and looked at me. Without thinking, I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him hard. He caught me, returning the kiss with equal passion. My heart swelled with love and gratitude.


    "Thank you," I murmured when I pulled away.


    "For what?"


    "For not being upset that I drew this to remember Samuel." I said sincerely, my heart full of appreciation for his understanding.


    "I epted a long time ago that he might not have been your first love, but I''ll be yourst. He was still your best friend, and he protected you more than once. He died saving you, and for that, I''ll always be grateful. If hanging a picture you drew to remember him helps you heal, then that''s what we''ll do."


    I had no words, so I pulled his head down for another kiss. We only broke apart when the door opened and William and Ama walked


    1. in.


    "Oh, sorry!" Ama squeaked.


    "It''s fine. What are you two up to?" I asked as we separated. Ryder took the page


    from the book and ced it on the desk.