Page 37 of Ansel

A rush of excitement flooded my chest. "Do you even know what you're getting into?"

He grinned. “Some, but I’m not going to be alone am I?”

“You mean theTyler & Raoname isn’t a big fat hint?” Excitement raced through me.

“I know you like what you do, but I think this will be better.”

You could take the man out of the suit but couldn’t take the confidence out of the man. Ansel had changed in many ways, but at his core, he was the same—he was a little onthatside of arrogant, and honestly, I didn’t mind it.

"Ansel Tyler, I cannot believe this is the direction you took."

He reached for my hand, his thumb brushing over my knuckles and stood me up. “I figured if I was going to spend my life working on something, it should be something that makes a difference.”

I tightened my grip on his hand. “I can’t wait to make a difference with you.”

His smile was slow, steady, and grateful. “I’m really glad you’re falling into step with my plan, baby.”

I sighed, giving a dramatic tilt of my head. “Iwantto do this. You are not making me do anything.”

“No, of course not”—he kissed my mouth—“saideverymaster manipulator.”

I slapped my hands lightly against his chest. “I'm so proud of you,” I said, each word imbued with a warmth that made the space between us feel both intimate and charged with promise.

He slipped his hand into his jacket pocket and produced an envelope.

I eyed it suspiciously but took it when he handed it to me. “What is it?”

“A partnership offer.”

I appreciated the significance of his words, and my fingers tightened around the document. “Equal partners?”

Nodding slowly, he continued, “You’ve always been more thanjust an assistant, Neha. You were the one who kept me afloat back at Sterling, the person I trust above all. I don’t want you to work for me—I want you to build thiswithme.”

With a teasing glimmer in my eyes, I challenged further, “And when I disagree with you?”

“Then I’ll be smart enough to listen.”

I laughed, and the joy of it mingled with the quiet possibility in the room.

I pulled him into a kiss—soft, sure, filled with every unsaid apology, every hard-won second chance that had defined our journey.

“I have some concerns about this partnership.”

He raised both eyebrows. “Even before you read the agreement?”

Ignoring the playful tilt of his mouth, I continued, “Yes. I believe there’s nothing here about living arrangements.”

He raised his brows in a knowing arc. “You’re absolutely right. What are your demands, Miss Rao of Tyler & Rao?”

“It seems a bit inefficient for business partners to be hopping between two separate apartments all the time.” I smiled teasingly. “You asked me to be your business partner, might as well find out if we can make it work sharing a closet.”

He raised an eyebrow. “I love Penny, baby, but I’m not living with her.”

I gave an exaggerated eye roll. “Maybe we could get a new place since yours is almost sold?”

He delicately cupped my face with both hands. “Anything you want, baby.” A quiet, disbelieving laugh escaped him. “And here I thought I was the one making all the big moves today.”

Feigning thoughtful consideration, I replied, “Oh, don’t worry. You get to make the next big move.”

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