"Technically mine," he said, then grinned. "Except, it's actually yours."
I just stared at him. "Very funny. Why would you buy me a truck? You know I haven't driven in over ten years. I hate it. It overwhelms me. I'm not doing it."
He grinned like he'd just told the world's best joke. "Come on, it's not that scary."
"Not that scary?" I echoed, widening my eyes. "Ryder, the last time I drove, I nearly sideswiped a mailbox, a squirrel, and a very innocent bush—all before lunch!"
He laughed, leaning casually against the truck. "That's exactly why you need me. I can teach you. Slowly. Patiently. With minimal bush casualties."
I crossed my arms, tapping my foot. "I don't think any amount of patience can undo a decade of terror stored in my driving muscles. I havefear memoriesnow."
He smirked. "Fear memories are exactly what we're going to overwrite. Driving can be freeing, Dec. Trust me?"
I folded my arms, suspicious. He grinned. "Just on this for now."
The first lesson was a disaster.
"Okay, ease off the clutch—"
"EASE OFF?! Ryder, there's a TREE!"
"The tree isfifty feet away!" he laughed, one hand on the dashboard for dramatic effect.
I glared at him, knuckles white on the wheel. "If we die, I'm haunting you."
"You already haunt me. In my dreams, Ven" he teased, winking.
"Ryder!"
He chuckled, but his voice stayed calm, patient. "You're doing fine Ven. Breathe. I'm right here. Nothing's going to happen."
''Who the hell is Ven?'' I yelled.
By the second day, I was slightly less panicked. By the third, he'd added a vase of flowers on the dashboard "for aesthetic motivation." By the fourth, a tiny rabbit figurine sat on the console, Margot's gift, apparently.
"Ryder," I muttered, laughing despite myself, "This is turning into a traveling circus."
"That's the point," he grinned. "If you're laughing, you're not afraid."
Three evenings later, he knocked softly on my door.
"Dec?"
I looked up from my book. "What?"
"Come outside. I've got a surprise."
I frowned. "If this involves driving anywhere, the answer's no."
He laughed. "No driving. Promise. Just... trust me."
I hesitated, then slipped on a sweater and followed him out. The sun was just beginning to sink, painting the sky in gold and rose. Parked in the driveway, the truck had been transformed into something out of a movie—blankets piled in the bed, fairy lights strung along the rails, and a basket of food waiting for us.
I froze. "Ryder..."
He rubbed the back of his neck, almost shy. "It's not a date if you don't want it to be. But... it can be. If you want it to be."
My throat tightened. "It's beautiful."
