More Than A Favor

Chapter 3

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I couldn’t stop thinking about the question all day. It lingered in the back of my mind, unanswered, gnawing at me. By the time Logan came to pick me up that afternoon, I still didn’t know what I wanted to do.

And yet, I followed him anyway. Habit was a terrifying thing. Ten years was all it took to tether me to this routine–him, the Mercer Estate, and the unspoken understanding that I would always be there.

“Why are you so quiet?” he asked, glancing at me as he drove. He must have noticed my mood.

I hesitated, my fingers fidgeting with the strap of my bag. Finally, I worked up the courage to say, “Logan, maybe we should-”

Before I could finish, his phone rang.

The car display lit up with an unlisted number. I saw his grip tighten on the steering wheel, his knuckles whitening.

It wasn’t like him to look nervous.

I turned to study his face, but his expression was unreadable. Without a word, he tapped the screen, switching the call to Bluetooth. “Hello…. Yeah, I’m on my way.”

The call was brief, but his voice was clipped, his tone unnaturally tense.

When it ended, he glanced at me, his jaw tight. “Elaine, something urgent came up. I can’t take you home.”

I knew what he was going to say before he said it. It wasn’t the first time. Still, foolishly, I’d hoped he’d at least take me back before running off.

My chest ached, but I forced myself to keep my voice steady. “Is something wrong?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, his gaze shifted to the road ahead as he pulled into a temporary parking spot. “Get off here and grab a taxi,” he said, his tone brisk.

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* Chapter 4

04Bones

of explanation, but he offered

could I say to that? Begging for answers

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you get home,” he added, already reaching

as I climbed out of the

as I stood on the sidewalk, watching his car merge back into traffic. He

I didn’t ask. I didn’t want to peel back the thin, fragile

he

off.

empty stretch of road where his

snapping me out of my thoughts. It was Nora, my best friend.

where are you? Want to grab dinner?”

never minced words, which was

said without

didn’t even check with Logan first? Did the sun rise in the west today?”

her words hit a little too close to home. For years, I’d lived as if my entire life revolved around Logan. Every plan, every

right now?” I asked, changing

rattled off an address, and I hailed a taxi to meet

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saw me, Nora’s sharp eyes narrowed, “What happened? Did

the few people I could confide in, so I told

stirring her drink with unnecessary force. “He thinks you’re boring? Insipid? As if he’s some kind of

cheeks burn. I shook my

years with you

words stung because

moments–like the time I’d gotten drunk and kissed him. But instead of kissing me back, he’d gently pulled away and sent me to bed. At the time, I thought it was because he respected

I realized it was because he didn’t want

there a saying? That if a man loved a

desire her.