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."

until Elara noticed the room

glanced over to find her dad, Barrett, and Steven both

Dad? Why are you

"Nothing. Carry on. He turned back to Steven, though his mind was clearly still

of satisfaction. Elara

feeling that his little girl was already on the verge of slipping away from him, swept up in something beyond

Steven had some stuff to talk about, so

a café to chill for a bit. On a whim, Elara decided to get

Chapter 14

she sat down next to Lysander, and they picked up where they

to the upcoming six-mile run challenge, which was honestly stressing

order's here," a voice suddenly

was none other than Asher. She stared at him,

that. What, did you come here to mess with me on purpose?" He seemed convinced that, despite her cool act, Elara still had

just turned and walked off without looking back, clearly not interested in

Elara watched him saunter away, she couldn't help but

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

had wanted to stay a little longer,

frequently stopping by her place to help out with homework. All that hard work paid off-her grades improved

books, he couldn't resist throwing shade. "Elara, having second thoughts? It's still not too late

frowned, jammed her headphones in, and

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

got home and stepped into the yard, she found Lysander lounging around, sipping

cat an affectionate squeeze, then grinned at Lysander. "What's got you here so

looked up at her with that

a curious look. "Don't you have other

with one thing or another. Then there was Lysander, the complete opposite. Every time Elara came back, she'd find Lysander just chilling, like he didn't have a care in the world, taking life at his own slow pace. Lysander let out a

you don't do any school activities either?" she