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.

shaking

“Yeah

to avoid bathroom breaks and slowing down Mr. Drake’s work! Your mouth’s full of sores – you

right in front of me.

Maya’s eyes went wide.

his hand on my chin, making me open up. After

stood there slack–jawed. “Get her

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mouthwash.”

Maya stuttered, “O–okay!”

| Manu

an engineer? How do you know all this medical

having my mouth checked, I muttered, “He was

when Ashton cut in, “Weren’t you

my eye, seemed to remember something, and

looked at Ashton. “Next time,

morning, Mr. Mercer!” Maya’s voice cut me off.

Logan

around, there he was. He glanced at me

ulcers,” Maya said.

drinking enough water again, huh?” He knew me too well. I got dehydrated easily, usually sticking to

nosebleeds or

of course he knew

how he told Caleb we were “too close.”

other so well he got bored

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

started to speak, noticed Ashton behind

was personal or business, we couldn’t discuss it in front of Ashton, I walked

away.

said, “We’re on a tight schedule. What is it?”

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

question came out

you’re gonna try to make me jealous, fine – just don’t

took me a second to catch up. His last line gave it away – he

must have told him about Caleb’s visit. Can’t believe he assumed

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