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

her dad, Barrett, and Steven both staring at her with these weird,

she asked, "Uh, Dad? Why are you

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

Steven, Barrett felt a surge of satisfaction. Elara

husband, there was this nagging feeling that his little girl was already on the verge of slipping away from

and Steven had some stuff to talk about, so Elara and Lysander headed

going straight home, they stopped by a café to chill for a bit. On a whim,

Chapter 14

to Lysander, and they

was honestly stressing her out-more

here," a voice suddenly

none other than Asher. She stared at him, completely caught off guard. "What the hell are

be asking you that. What, did you come here to mess with me on purpose?" He seemed convinced that, despite her

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

away, she couldn't help but scoff.

smiled and shook his head. "Nah, you have it.

stay a little longer,

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

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

headphones

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

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

squeeze, then grinned at Lysander. "What's got you

up at her with that easy smile. "I

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

known 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

do any school activities either?" she asked, trying to dig a