Page 58 of Stranded

The conversation finally moves on, but I can’t stop smiling.

Ronan didn’t just give me the idea. He’s shown me what happens when I pay attention to what I want—without settling for anything less.

I just hope I can make him proud.

Chapter

Twenty-Two

RONAN

It’s crunch time.

The showcase is breathing down my neck, and there’s no more avoiding it.

I’ve finished all my other assignments, and I’ve wrapped up the gig Professor Meyer recommended me for. When I delivered the last box of hiking trousers to them, they told me I’d be welcome back anytime.

I’m proud of myself for doing so well… but I hope I don’t have to take them up on it. I’m on the way to my first one-on-one evaluation with Professor Meyer, so I guess I’m about to find out.

“Hands and arms inside the boat, folks!” Alph cheerfully calls over the intercom. “Don’t hold us responsible for stray feet, either.”

He shuts the ferry engine off and walks to the side of the boat, lassoing the first cleat as we gently bump up against the harbour wharf.

I get up, but I hang back to let everyone else off first. When I finally approach, Alph turns and smiles brightly at me.

“There’s my best-behaved passenger. Got your portfolio?” he asks, for the tenth time, even though I’m clutching it tight against my chest. “Got your winning smile? Ah, there it is.”

I giggle and blush, swatting him gently with my portfolio. “I’ve got it all.”

Alph smiles back at me. “You really do,” he tells me with such sincerity that I stand up a little bit straighter. “Now, got your coffee and your snacks?”

“All of it,” I groan, laughing. “I have it all. I promise.”

“Okay, good. Just checking. Go kill it, Ronan.”

“Thanks,” I whisper, stretching onto tiptoe to kiss Alph’s cheek. Then I scramble off the ferry to the dock, beaming away to myself.

A few steps away, I turn back to look at him, and I can’t help stopping. He’s still just standing there, one hand on the side of the boat, smiling at me with so much pride.

My eyes are suddenly wet, and my chest is glowing with warmth.

I’m so goddamn lucky.

I wish I could plan something for him to look forward to—besides the end of this chaotic whirlwind. Something to show him that I’ll always make room for him.

That he’ll never have to wait for me again.

“What?” Alph frowns when he notices me stopping. “You didn’t forget anything?”

“No, no.” I clear my throat. “I just had an idea. Can you ask Kieran to reserve a table at the restaurant?”

“Reserve?” Alph asks, tilting his head.

I don’t even know if they take reservations, but I press on. “Yeah. For lunch, on showcase day.”

Alph looks even more puzzled. “Sure, sure. Yeah. How many people?”

He doesn’t get it yet.

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