Ryan was a lifesaver.
I don’t know what we would’ve done without him, given the exhibit preparations and the overwhelming number of orders. We had been working nonstop to get everything ready in time.
My new assistant made the challenge manageable.
I sat at my desk, organizing a few design drafts I had been working on. Looking around for my file, I saw it placed at the top of a tall shelf. Ryan had tidied the space after the mayhem of completing and submitting my jewelry designs for the exhibit.
I stretched on the tips of my toes, but I didn’t come close to reaching it–even with tall heels on for the event. Sighing, I brought out a ladder. I’d sent my tall assistant to fetch materials that were delivered at the front desk.
I heard Ryan put down the package behind me as I climbed the ladder.
“Celeste, you should have waited for me.”
“No, it’s fine.” I said, pulling the file out of the shelf. “I’ve got it.”
“That doesn’t look safe.”
I looked down at him as he stood behind me.
“Then next time, keep in mind that we’re not all skyscrapers.” I said with a teasing smile.
He rubbed the back of his neck and grimaced.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Good.” I said as I climbed down the ladder.
Halfway down, my foot slipped and my stomach lurched as I fell backwards–and into warm arms. Ryan steadied me and helped me the rest of the way.
“Are you okay?” He asked when I was safely on the ground.
His hands were still on my waist and I quickly stepped away as I felt my cheeks flush.
I nodded. “It wasn’t the best idea to use a ladder with heels on.”
Ryan crouched down and pressed his fingers gently into the flesh around my ankle.
“Does it hurt?” He asked, concerned. “It could be sprained.”
Ryan was the younger sibling I never had. I cleaned his wounds and covered them with bandaids whenever he got hurt as a boy. My feelings spiraled into confusion as I watched him show me the same tenderness after all this time.
I stepped around him.
“I’m fine.” My voice was strained.
“Celeste.” He called, but I ignored him.
“We’re running late.” I said as I grabbed my purse. “We need to leave now or we’ll hit traffic.”
1/3
Chapter Twenty One
+25 BONUS
I hurried out of the studio and we took the elevator down to the parking garage in an awkward silence. The space felt too small and intimate for the both of us.
As soon as the doors slid open, I headed for my car.
I got into the driver’s seat and started the engine. Ryan didn’t have his own car, and I hadn’t added him to my car insurance as yet. He got in beside me.
If I thought the elevator was small, the car was smaller.
“Buckle up.” I said before pulling off.
My stomach ached as I drove. It was almost noon, but I’d been too busy to eat anything today. I gritted my teeth through the pain, hoping they served appetizers at the exhibition.
Movement beside me caught my eye. I glanced to the side to see Ryan digging in his leather satchel. He pulled out a sandwich and tore off a section of its deli paper wrapping
My eyes darted back to the road.
“You always had a bad habit of skipping breakfast.” He said. “Open.”
Ryan held the sandwich up to my mouth.
I glanced at him and a faint smile touched my lips before I opened my mouth. He held it nearer, and I took a bite. As I chewed, he opened a bottle of water and waited for me to swallow before giving me a sip.
I ignored the butterflies flitting around my stomach as he fed me. It was another of those things I’d done for him when we were younger. We were like family. I had to remind myself that was why he took such good care of me.
The pain in my stomach subsided as I finished the sandwich.
“Thanks, Ryan.” I said.
He shot me a dimpled smile and a wink.
“Anything for you, boss lady.”
I laughed. Ryan never stopped with his antics.
My laughter faded, and my mouth fell open when I saw the venue. The parking lot was packed to the brim with cars, and lines of people stood, waiting to get inside. My heart raced as I snatched the first available spot.
I hadn’t realized what a big event this was.
My door opened, and I jumped in my seat. Ryan stood smiling down at me with those gorgeous green eyes sparkling in the sun. I hadn’t even noticed him get out of the car.
I unbuckled and took his outstretched hand. He helped me out of the car and leaned over to close the door behind me. I stopped breathing as his breath fanned my face. The proximity threw my hormones into overdrive.
When the door shut, he stepped back.
“After you, Celeste.‘
I walked ahead and reminded myself to breathe.
We passed the lines of people waiting to buy their tickets and enter the venue. At the entrance, I greeted the staff. Ryan bumped my shoulder as we skipped the queue and entered the bustling exhibition hall.
2/3
*15 BORUS
Chapter Twenty One
He leaned in and said in my car, “Wow, I didn’t know I was working for a bigshot.‘
1 laughed as he gave me a cheeky grin.
It was an honor for my work to be exhibited here. After I fell pregnant with Bonnie, I gave up on my dream of becoming a successful jewelry designer and never imagined this could be my life.
I was on cloud nine,
We walked down the rows of dazzling jewelry displays. The standard was so much higher than the exhibit at our alumni event. I looked at all the work in awe.
“Celeste?”
The event coordinator was hurrying toward me. He looked thrilled as he leaned over and spoke in a hushed tone. “Damien Kent from Imperial Aurum Group is willing to offer a lucrative deal for you to work with his company.
The smile fell off my face.
“Please tell Damien I have no interest in collaborating with him or his company.”
