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

bathroom breaks and slowing down Mr. Drake’s work! Your mouth’s full of sores – you can barely eat!” Maya blurted out, running her mouth as usual.

right in front of me. “Open

Maya’s eyes went wide.

he had his hand on my chin, making me open up. After a quick look, he let go.

turned to Maya, who stood there slack–jawed. “Get her some

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mouthwash.”

Maya stuttered, “O–okay!”

| Manu

you an engineer? How do you know all this

from having my mouth checked, I muttered, “He was

to say more when Ashton

caught my eye, seemed to

at Ashton.

Mr. Mercer!” Maya’s voice cut me off.

froze. Logan

around, there he was. He glanced at me

Maya said. Logan rushed over.

huh?” He knew me too well. I got dehydrated easily, usually

nosebleeds

ten years together, of course he

how he

well he got bored and let a widow

need, Mr. Mercer?” I kept

at my attitude. He started to speak, noticed Ashton behind me, and said, “Come here. Need to talk

business, we couldn’t discuss it in front of Ashton, I walked a few steps

away.

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

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

came out of

scene about not wanting to get married. But if you’re gonna try to make me jealous, fine – just don’t go fishing in

His last line

about Caleb’s visit. Can’t believe

was projecting his own mess onto others. My face