Page 145 of Ransom

"I wish. One time he was carrying a stack of parts across the garage and tripped over absolutely nothing. Scattered bearings everywhere. Took us hours to find them all."

"Pictures? Anything?"

Ransom looks up then, catching my eye. He's filled out since those awkward teenage years. Shoulders broader, movements precise. But when he smiles, I see that same warmth that drew me to him all those years ago.

"The core of him hasn't changed much," I admit. "That part that wants to take care of everyone? That was always there. Even when he could barely take care of himself."

"How do you mean?"

"He'd give away his lunch if someone forgot theirs. Skip meals to buy parts for cars he was fixing up for people who couldn't afford repairs." I watch him demonstrate something to Max, his hands moving carefully. "Dad was proud of that. Said Ransom was learning how to be a part of a community."

"Sounds familiar." Becca chuckles. "He still does that. Tries to fix everything for everyone."

"Yeah, well, now he can actually afford to."

"The money helps a lot. He's going to try to help with Maggie, you know." Becca's voice cuts through my thoughts. "It's what he does."

"She doesn't want his help." It doesn't matter how much I would like her to accept that help.

"Maybe not, but that's not the point." She shifts against the wall. "He cares about you—like, deeply cares. And Maggie's important to you, so..."

"So what? He'll swoop in with his millions and try to fix everything?"

"Probably." Becca shrugs. "Look, I've known him for years now. When he loves someone, he goes all in. And Blair? The way he looks at you..."

"Don't." I cross my arms tighter.

"I'm just saying—I bet he's already making calls. Probably has a team of doctors lined up."

"Maggie doesn't want that," I say again.

"Doesn't matter. He'll do it anyway." She shrugs, but her eyes are shrewd, knowing. "Not to override her choices or anything. Just to have options ready."

"That's not his place."

"No, but he'll do it for you. Because you're hurting, and he can't stand seeing people he loves in pain."

"I never asked?—"

"Nobody ever asks." Becca's voice softens. "That's kind of the point with Ransom. He sees a need and fills it before anyone has to ask."

"I know."

"He hasn't changed that much, has he?" Becca asks.

"No," I admit. "Just has more resources now."

"Exactly. So brace yourself — because the guy who used to share his lunch money is now a billionaire who's in love with you. And your best friend is sick."

I watch Ransom with Max, my emotions a tangled mess. Part of me wants Becca to be right — wants to believe that Ransom's resources and determination could somehow help Maggie. The other part remembers how stubborn Maggie is, how fiercely she guards her independence. And the love part? I'm truly starting to believe it.

"I just don't want him making things worse," I murmur. "Maggie's made her peace with this. If he starts pushing treatments or experimental protocols..."

"She might shut down completely?" Becca finishes.

"Yeah." I rub my arms. "She's been through so much already. The last thing I want is for her final months to be filled with conflict."

"But what if he found something that could actually help?"

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