His Destructive, Toxic Love (Jasper and Eliza)

Chapter 530

"Yeah, I've caught wind of some troubling stuff and got worried about you..." His eyes were full of concern, and he gave a slight, tense smile. "But you seem to be doing alright."

"Those who are gone are gone, and the rest of us have to keep on living," she said, trying to smile but not quite managing it.

Manuel nodded, his voice gentle, "If there's ever anything you need, just say the word. I'm here to help."

"Thanks."

Michael had been sneaking a listen from the kitchen. Once Manuel wrapped up his polite goodbyes and left, Michael emerged.

"This guy's got a crush on you, huh?"

Eliza shrugged it off, "Just a blind date."

"A blind date?"

No way, she actually went on blind dates? When did that happen?

"Before I decided to give it another shot with Casper," she clarified.

he nearly bounced her off. "This guy seems like quite the catch. Meeting someone like him on a blind date? You've got some serious luck." "Lucky, but not in the ways that count," she

cool with being a stepdad, maybe

"Yeah, right."

if Manuel did fancy her, the idea of him stepping in to help raise her two kids seemed far-fetched. With all his options, why would he settle? She brushed it

up for it, you

dragging someone else into this, I might as well..." Eliza let her eyes land playfully on Michael, "...drag you

couple of kids."

her eyes, "Forget

said, heading

carefully chosen and as polite as could be. She typed back a quick thank

two weeks before getting ready to head back to France. Right before he left, he handed her a bank card. "It's not much, just

"I have

not about that. This is from

card into her hand, holding

you're ready, talk

about his dad. He's young and needs time to understand.

sure you're taking care of yourself, alright?" Content,

felt a lump in her

it counted, he never let anyone down He was smart, good-looking, and had been a heartthrob since middle