More Than A Favor

Chapter 53

Ashton?

04) Meny

Wasn’t he just a cab driver? How come he was also that amazing lighting tech I’d been blown away by?

Right then, I felt like I was in some weird dream.

“Mr. Drake, meet Ms. Hart,” Mr. Gray did the introductions.

He stuck out his hand. “Hey, Ms. Hart.”

He acted like we’d never met before.

I sat there, frozen. From where I was sitting, I could see his perfect jawline and that sexy Adam’s apple that, honestly, had crossed my mind a few times.

Maya gave me a little nudge with her elbow, snapping me back to reality. I reached out to shake his. hand

Our hands barely touched. He quickly said, “Don’t let me interrupt your lunch, Ms. Hart. I’ll check out the lighting setup.”

“No way. I’m coming with you guys,” I said. I was about to leave, but Ashton stayed put.

He turned to Mr. Gray and asked, “Have you eaten yet, Mr. Gray? I’m starving. Any good places around here?”

Mr. Gray smiled. “Yeah, I’ve eaten,” he said before looking my way, “We can order delivery here, right?”

Getting what he meant, I told Maya, “Maya, grab some food for Mr. Drake.”

“On it!” Maya pulled up her delivery app and asked, “What’ll it be, Mr. Drake? Want pasta? A sandwich? We’ve got all kinds of options.”

He pointed at my half–finished container. “I’ll have what she’s having.”

I was eating this super spicy aglio olio pasta that I’d specifically asked Maya to get.

Since Ashton was from down South, I wasn’t sure if he could handle this level of heat. I was pretty shocked he wanted to try it.

“Cool! That’s one of our go–to dishes here. Who knew you had the same taste!” Maya said while placing his order.

I cleared my throat awkwardly and looked at Ashton and Mr. Gray. “Should we ”

“Let’s fi

finish lunch first. Can’t work on an empty stomach,”

Ashton said as he dropped his backpack and pulled out some water. He tilted his head back for a drink.

Watching his Adam’s apple move as he swallowed, I found myself swallowing too.

while holding his half–empty water bottle and said, “Go ahead and finish

me again saying, “God, he’s such a

Chapter 53

Maya had

– girl’s got

boyfriend?” I said, taking another bite of

giggled. “Just window shopping! Besides, he’s only here

She always seemed so proper, so these flirty comments

I laughed. Then got serious, “But remember

act you.”

boring without some eye candy. Don’t worry, Ms. Hart

about what Ashton had told me

to arrive, and Maya spent every single minute talking

Maya proved love at first

if Maya ended

feeling Ashton wouldn’t

was just trying to kill boredom, I knew falling for someone

her from getting hurt, better

said, “He’s already

Maya looked at me. “How do you

that’d mean more explaining.

things weird between Ashton and me if

earlier. That convinced

“Nope,” I said.

“Then-”

finish, I cut in, ‘Just

by Ashton. Usually, she’s got quite an appetite, and she’d even ordered her

looks beat good

Maya was like a dog with a bone. “How can you guess

answer, but I knew she’d let her imagination run wild without one. Just then, I spotted a tiny keychain on his bag.

super cute white bunny

I nodded toward it.

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Chapter 51

OLY

Maya asked, confused.

Don’t you think that’s weird?” I asked,

Way too sweet.

had ordered it for me.

time, just get me lemonade or water,” I reminded her.

keychain, muttering, “So you’re

but she tugged

I went quiet.