After Death, Love Unveiled

Chapter

14

Daphne and Asher hopped onto the bus together. Asher leaned in close and said under his breath. I'm not seeing you off today."

He couldn't tutor Elara for extra money anymore-he'd picked up a part-time job instead.

Jefferson was buried in debt, and for too long. Asher's earnings had gone straight into covering his father's mess. Now, he had no choice but to fend for himself. Daphne gave a slight nod. "Alright"

on

Meanwhile, Barrett had taken Elara out to get a new phone and then grabbed dinner together. When they got to the restaurant, Lysander was already there, waiting at the table.

Lysander lived in Brookfield with his uncle, Steven Clark, who just so happened to be one of Barrett's close friends. This little dinner was a thinly veiled setup-a meet-the-family type deal that Barrett had been scheming for a while now. Elara had been dead-set against it at first-she only had eyes for Asher-and that threw a wrench into Barrett's plans. But today, she'd finally agreed, and Barrett was feeling pretty pleased. His girl was growing up and, for once, seemed willing to go along with his ideas.

At the table, Barrett and Steven were in the middle of some animated conversation. Elara, sitting across from Lysander, brought up her little bet to jump up a hundred places in the rankings.

Lysander just gave her a nod-cool, unreadable-and Elara wasn't sure what to make of it. "Do you think I'm being reckless? Like, maybe I bit off more than I can chew?"

Lysander's expression softened a bit as he looked at her. "Nah, not at all."

"Really? You think I've got a shot?" She leaned in a little, sounding more eager. I've actually started getting the stuff you've been explaining to me lately."

"Don't stress," Lysander said, his tone calm but steady. "You're smarter than people give you credit for."

By "people," he meant Asher. Asher had once made some snide comment about Elara being slow, and while Lysander hadn't said anything at the time, he'd clocked it.

Elara's face lit up with a relieved smile. That's a huge weight off my shoulders! I was starting to worry I'd be nothing but dead. weight to you."

Lysander smiled back, his voice gentle. "It's no big deal. I've got your back."

conversation was going smoothly until Elara noticed the room had gone

dad, Barrett, and Steven both staring

she asked, "Uh, Dad? Why are you both looking at

brushing it off. "Nothing. Carry on. He turned back

Steven, Barrett felt a surge of satisfaction. Elara and Lysander were hitting it

he'd handpicked Lysander as her future husband, there was this nagging feeling that his little girl was

dinner, Barrett and Steven had some stuff to talk

to chill for a bit.

Chapter 14

next to Lysander, and

six-mile run challenge, which was honestly stressing her out-more of a

here," a

at

mess with me on purpose?" He seemed convinced that, despite her cool act, Elara still had feelings for him and was just trying to get his

but didn't say a word, just turned and walked off without looking

saunter away, she couldn't help but scoff. What's he so

the ice cream to Lysander, who smiled and shook his head. "Nah, you have it. He kindly picked up her backpack as they

a little longer, but bumping into Asher had killed the

with Lysander frequently stopping by her place

the books, he couldn't resist throwing shade. "Elara, having second thoughts? It's still not too late to quit, you know. Don't say I didn't warn you when

her headphones

over, Elara practically flew home, feeling pretty good about how she'd done. The results weren't

got home and stepped into the yard, she found Lysander lounging around, sipping coffee, with Cotton-who was

affectionate squeeze, then grinned

at her with that easy smile. "I come early

you have other

them had crazy-packed schedules, constantly swamped with one thing or another. Then there was Lysander, the complete opposite. Every time Elara came back,

either?" she asked, trying to