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

Barrett, and Steven

"Uh, Dad? Why are you both looking at me like

back to Steven, though his mind was

he continued his conversation with Steven, Barrett felt a surge of satisfaction. Elara and Lysander were hitting it off. just like he'd

this nagging feeling that his little girl was already on the verge of slipping

Barrett and Steven had some stuff to talk

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

Chapter 14

and

her mind kept wandering to the upcoming six-mile run challenge, which was honestly

order's here," a voice

She stared at him, completely caught off guard. "What the hell are you

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 attention.. "Get over yourself," Elara replied, unfazed. This was pure

and walked off without looking back, clearly not interested in

couldn't help but

ice cream to Lysander, who smiled and shook his head. "Nah, you have it.

longer, but bumping into

frequently stopping by

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

jammed her headphones

midterm was finally over, Elara practically flew home, feeling pretty good about

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

an affectionate squeeze, then grinned at Lysander. "What's

at her with that easy

look. "Don't you have other stuff going

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

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