The Perfect Rise

Stella

“Let me help you.”

Vance’s words hit me like a ton of bricks. Vance, of all people, wants to help me prepare for the competition that we were only just arguing about? I can’t believe it.

“You’re joking,” I murmur.

Vance shakes his head, his eyes darting down to the failure of a souffle sitting between us. “Nope. Not joking. Do you want my help or not?”

Part of me wants to accept his offer,