Page 77 of Lighting Up Christmas

Riley reached for his hand, and their fingers intertwined, and even though this was new, he felt familiar, part of her.

“Is there room in your day for some of your plans to include me once I complete my apology?”

“Plenty of room,” Riley said, intrigued as to what his apology would entail and also wondering if she still needed it. “But don’t you want to know what’s on my list first before you commit?” She couldn’t help teasing him.

With his other hand, he reached up and cupped her face.

“I’m up for anything with you,” he said.

*

They ran alongthe river, Zhang feeling like he was flying because Riley ran by his side, ponytail bouncing, her smile as bright as he’d ever seen. As they passed by the old mill, Zhang slowed down, an idea forming. He stopped.

“Cool, isn’t it?”

“How bad is it?”

“A lot of it is salvageable,” Riley said. “They’ve fenced it off and have security so no one moves in or starts stripping it.”

“Is it safe?”

“Depending on what you want to do, why?”

Zhang clambered over the fence, a triumphant smile on his face when he dropped down on the other side.

Riley’s mouth opened in shock. “And you were worried about me on my ladder,” she murmured.

“I’ll just be a moment,” he said, pulling out his phone.

He’d barely headed toward the complex when he heard Riley climbing, and when he turned to look, she jumped over the top.

“I’ll have to add monkey to your skill set.”

They walked around the complex, curious but careful, and Zhang took pictures. Riley’s eyes shone bright.

“It’s so cool, isn’t it? So much could be done with this.”

Zhang was texting.

“What are you thinking?” she asked.

“A lot.” He sent Jackson about ten pictures and then showed Riley his last short text.

How serious are you about making a corporate investment in our future?

“Zhang?”

“This would be an investment but also give us a showpiece place to launch our products, persuade VCs, have corporate retreats without everyone climbing all over Fire Ridge. And with a hotel, and couple of restaurants and shops it would work well for people to stay here.”

“This is very expensive,” she said. “And it needs a lot of upgrades.”

He nodded.

Jackson texted back immediately.

Hella yeah!!!!

“I am going to have a lot of power needs,” he said gravely. “Do you know a good electrician?”

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