“I’m offering. It’s just money, Ryder. And it’s not like you’re asking me to invest in your new business venture of turning cow shit into gold. The money is for a good purpose.” He paced a little then went to the kitchen to get himself a glass of water.
“I won’t take your money, no matter what,” he said after he drained one glass.
“Fine. Don’t take it,” I said.
He raised an eyebrow. “You’re giving up that easily?”
“No. But I don’t have to give the money directly to you. I can pay for the program in your name, and then you’ll have to go.”
His glare could have frozen boiling water.
“You are not doing that.”
I got up and joined him in the kitchen. We needed something to diffuse the situation. I handed him a cookie and took one for myself.
“I can do whatever I want, R. Blythe. You can’t stop me.” I bit the cookie and smiled at him. He munched his and kept his glare on. I wondered how long it would last.
“Fuck, these are amazing,” he said as he chewed. All hail the power of the cookie.
“I know.” I had another, and so did he.
“Let’s not talk about the money right now,” I suggested.
“That’s probably a good plan. I’ll talk to him tomorrow.”
“You can do it,” I said. I wanted to hug him, or touch his arm, or do something. So I moved closer to him and leaned my head on his shoulder. After a moment of hesitation, he put his arm around my waist and pulled me a tiny bit closer. We finished the cookies, not moving.
“Can we just stay like this forever?” he said, his voice soft.
“We could try. But we’d probably need to shower eventually.”
He laughed. “Yeah. And getting to the bathroom would also be a problem.”
“And eating.”
“And sleeping.”
I turned a little and he tucked me into his chest, putting his other arm around me. Both of my arms went around him, and we shared the best hug in the history of hugs.
“I’m so lucky to have you. I don’t deserve it, after all I’ve done,” he said, his voice muffled by my hair.
I wasn’t going to argue with him. The hug was too perfect. I turned my head to the side and listened to his heart.
Never ever would I underestimate the power of a hug. Well, at least of Ryder’s hugs.
We stayed like that for a while until Ryder finally cleared his throat and pulled back. His eyes were a little red, and I wondered if he’d been crying and I just couldn’t see it.
“You okay?” I asked. He nodded and leaned forward, placing the smallest of kisses on my forehead.
“I think I will be.”
~*~*~
Ryder left after the hug. I went to bed and slept well for the first time in weeks. Note to self, Ryder hugs are sleep-inducing.
I woke up feeling better than I had in ages. Like I could leap out of bed and bench press a car, right after running a marathon.
“You’re smiling,” Inari said, staring at me. She’d walked into my office to give me my morning vat of coffee. I’d only had one, but I was still feeling amazing.