Chapter 13 " Is this for Jaxon Steele ? There's a scheduled delivery here , please sign for it ! " The delivery guy was holding a big box . [ ] Jaxon stared at the package on his desk , frowning hard . [ ] The shipping label showed it had been scheduled for delivery three months ago , with " Riley Thompson " listed as the sender . He roughly tore open the packaging to find an elegant photo album inside . [ ] Opening the first page , his breath caught . ] ] The photo showed him leaning against his motorcycle with that cocky grin , while Riley stood beside him wearing those thick glasses , smiling shyly . ] There was a date stamp in the corner : Exactly one year ago . He suddenly remembered and grabbed his phone to check the calendar - October 20th . If they hadn't broken up , today would have been their one - year anniversary . ] His heart suddenly felt like it was being pricked with tiny , dense needles . ] ] He flipped frantically through the album , discovering that every photo had similar writing on the back : [] [ Your first time walking me home - I actually walked really slowly on purpose that day because I wanted to spend more time with you . ] ]] [ You said my packed lunches tasted awful , but you still ate every bite . I was so happy ! I wanted to cook for you forever ! ] ] [ You got me a cake on my birthday - it was the first time anyone had ever thrown me a party . I felt like the happiest person in the world ! ] ] The second half of the album was all different photos of Jaxon- [ ] Pictures she'd somehow taken of him sleeping at his desk . [ ] A photo some stranger had taken of them when he drove her around on his bike . [ ] Even shots of his sleeping profile that she'd secretly captured … ] At the very end was a small box containing a pair of roughly - made silver rings . [ ] Jaxon stared for a long time , his hands trembling as he held the rings . They were obviously handmade , with their initials engraved inside the bands . [ ] A note fell out of the box : [ ] [ Jax , happy anniversary ! Even though you said anniversaries are annoying . I still prepared a surprise . I hope someday you'll Chapter 13 want to wear it . ] ] ] Jaxon suddenly slammed the album shut , feeling like something had violently struck his chest . [] At 1 AM , the lab lights were still on . [ ] Riley stared at the data on her computer screen , frowning deeply . [ ] The experiment was at a crucial stage , but the results kept differing from expectations . [ ] " Try adjusting this parameter . " [] A fragrant sandwich appeared beside her hand as Ethan leaned over and pointed to a corner of the screen . [] His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows , revealing well - defined forearms , and he smelled like clean soap . [ ] Riley followed his suggestion and modified the formula - the data immediately made sense . ] She let out a long sigh of relief : " It actually worked … how did you think of that ? " [ ] Ethan pulled up a chair and sat down , his eyes tired behind his glasses but still gentle : " I worked on a similar project last year , ran into the same wall . " ] He glanced at the time : " It's too late , let's continue tomorrow . " ] While cleaning up equipment , Riley accidentally knocked over a reagent bottle . Ethan quickly reached out to block it . [ ] The liquid splashed all over his sleeve . " Your shirt ! " Riley frantically grabbed paper towels . [ ] " It's fine . " Ethan calmly took off his button - down , revealing a clean white t - shirt underneath . ] ] He casually stuffed the stained shirt in his backpack : " Come on , I'll walk you back to your dorm . " [ ] The night breeze was cool , with only a few scattered streetlights left on campus . ] Ethan suddenly pulled out a thermos from his bag : " For you . " [ ] Riley took it - the bottle was warm to the touch , filled with peach gum milk . [ ] " I heard this helps with sleep , " he said naturally , like it was no big deal . [ ] Riley gripped the bottle tighter , warmth spreading through her chest . [ ] These past few months , Ethan had always been like this - appearing at just the right moment when she needed it , never flashy or overstepping , but making her feel incredibly safe . [ ] " See you tomorrow . " Ethan stood under a streetlight , his shadow stretching long . [ ] Bed Warmer ? Harvard Goddess His Pilessure My Payback ! Chapter 13 Riley nodded and turned to go , but he suddenly called her name : " Riley . " [ ] She turned back to see Ethan looking like he wanted to say something but holding back . ] ( 0 )