“I just hate the way everyone looks at you.”

“Do you? Or do you hate the way everyone looks at you when you’re with me?”

“Both.”

Ryder hadn’t expected her to answer so fast. “Chelsea, I’m flattered you’ve taken the time to do this for me.” Ryder didn’t want to sound ungrateful, but he didn’t want to be her pet project either. “I appreciate everything, but please don’t do this again. I’m still trying to figure out why you’re risking your reputation. You need to accept me for who I am now. Not who you want me to be tomorrow. Besides, you have a little improvement of your own to do.”

“Excuse me? What is that supposed to mean?” Her foot tapped again.

Ryder cursed himself for not keeping that last part to himself. “You told me the other night you don’t get out much. You need to make time. Forget the picture-perfect image you seem to compete with, and just be you.”