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."

smoothly until Elara noticed the

find her dad, Barrett, and Steven both staring at her

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

"Nothing. Carry on. He turned back to

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

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

had some stuff to talk about, so

to chill for a bit. On a whim, Elara

Chapter 14

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

mind kept wandering to the upcoming six-mile run challenge, which was honestly stressing her out-more of a battle of willpower than just

a voice

server was none other than Asher. She stared at him, completely caught off

mess with me on purpose?" He seemed convinced that, despite her cool act, Elara

a word, just turned and

away, she couldn't help but scoff. What's he so full of himself

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

a little longer, but bumping into Asher had killed

buried herself in her studies, with Lysander frequently stopping by her place

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

frowned, jammed her headphones

pretty good about how she'd done. The results

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

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

looked up at her with that easy smile. "I come

shot him a curious look. "Don't you have other stuff going on at

as one of the best students at school, right up there with Daphne. Both of them had crazy-packed schedules, constantly swamped 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 quiet laugh. "Yeah,

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