“You know, sometimes people need tough motivation.”

I looked at him.

“What do you mean?”

“You were stuck. I pushed you a little. Maybe I wasn’t gentle about it, but look at you now.”

He raised his glass.

“I knew you’d thank me eventually.”

I held his gaze, then smiled.

“Actually, I do have something for you.”

His eyebrows rose.

“For me?”

Right on cue, a waiter approached carrying a large black box tied with a white ribbon.

Ryan’s face lit up.

I slid it toward him.

“You could say that.”

He laughed softly and reached for the ribbon.

“You really went all out.”

“I wanted it to be memorable.”

Ryan untied the bow and lifted the lid.

His smile vanished.