More Than A Favor

Chapter 58

But why would he ask about that?

I

I just replied with a “?”

No response. He’d already eaten breakfast and headed to the park before me…

5)

Since they’d fixed the wiring overnight, Ashton jumped right into debugging. I was basically just his second pair of eyes – he’d adjust the programming, and I’d check if anything looked off.

Now I got what he meant last night. He seriously didn’t want anything slowing down the work.

The guy worked like a machine. I had to keep up, barely getting time for water breaks. Sometimes I’d even hold off drinking to avoid bathroom runs – In the time it took me to go and come back, he’d finish debugging another light fixture. Without me there to check it, he’d have to wait, throwing off our rhythm.

By day three, my mouth was full of ulcers from dehydration. Ashton seemed fine though, even with barely drinking anything.

Guess some things just come easier to guys.

“Drink something, Elaine. You’re gonna shrivel up like a raisin,” Maya said, worried about me since we

were roommates.

I laughed. “If I shrivel, at least I’ll be a young, pretty raisin.”

Taking a sip, I accidentally caught Ashton’s eye and choked.

“Easy there! Why’re you gulping it down?” Maya patted my back.

Ashton came over, cracked open a water bottle, and took a long drink.

His Adam’s apple bobbing up and down as he drank… I couldn’t help staring.

I mean, it’s just how bodies work, right? But something about his Adam’s apple really got to me.

Wait – did I have some weird thing for Adam’s apples?

I nearly choked again at that thought. Maya kept patting my back. “What’s with all the choking? Is your throat that sore?”

Ashton looked over, and I quickly shook my head. “No, just drank too fast.”

“Are you dehydrated?” he asked, clearly checking out my lips.

them together, shaking my head. “No.”

“Yeah

Your mouth’s

of me.

Maya’s eyes went

on my chin, making me open up. After a quick look, he let go. “Yep, full of

there slack–jawed. “Get her some oral antiseptic spray

01437

20.0%

€ Chapter 58

mouthwash.”

Maya stuttered, “O–okay!”

| Manu

to leave, then spun back. “Wait aren’t you an engineer? How

having my mouth checked, I muttered, “He was in the military.”

say more when Ashton cut in, “Weren’t you going somewhere?”

caught my eye, seemed to remember something, and

Ashton. “Next time, don’t-”

Maya’s voice

Logan was here?

was. He glanced at me before

medicine for Elaine’s ulcers,” Maya said.

He knew me too well. I got dehydrated easily,

I’d get nosebleeds or

of course he knew

about how he told

knew each other so well he got bored and let a widow turn

need, Mr. Mercer?” I kept my tone ice–cold and professional.

noticed Ashton behind me, and said, “Come here. Need to talk to

business, we couldn’t discuss it

away.

on a tight schedule. What is

too, his boyish face twisted with annoyance. “You’re trying

The question came

if you’re gonna try to make me

last line gave

Caleb’s visit. Can’t believe he assumed

was projecting his own mess onto others. My face burned with