C58 PREPARATIONS

"You don't have to do this, Derek. I appreciate everything you're doing for me, and I don't want to be a bother," she conveyed, locking eyes with him to emphasize her sincere gratefulness.

"Did I tell you you were a bother?" Derek asked, shaking her hand away softly, a genuine smile playing on his lips. "Please, let me do this. It's nothing at all