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."

was going smoothly until Elara noticed the room had gone oddly

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

are you both looking at me

chuckled, brushing it off. "Nothing. Carry on. He turned back to Steven, though his mind was

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

little girl was already on

had some stuff to talk about, so Elara and

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

Chapter 14

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

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

here," a voice

the server was none other than Asher. She stared at him,

her his signature icy glare. "I should be asking you that. What, did you come here to mess with me on purpose?" He seemed convinced that, despite her cool act, Elara

word, just turned and walked off without looking back,

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

you have it. He kindly picked

a little longer, but bumping into Asher had killed the

weeks, Elara buried herself in her studies, with Lysander frequently stopping by her place to help out with homework. All that hard work

thoughts? It's still

her headphones in, and tuned

about how she'd done. The results weren't out yet, but

lounging around, sipping coffee, with Cotton-who was looking plumper

then grinned at Lysander. "What's got you

at her with that easy smile.

him a curious look. "Don't you have

Elara came back, she'd find Lysander just chilling, like he didn't have a care in

any school activities either?" she