Chapter 66

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“Are you seriously using last night and our history to blackmail me?” I confronted Ashton directly.

“No,” he mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

Classic guilty behavior. I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to deck him.

“I’m just new here and could use some help. I’ve helped you before too,” he said meekly.

Great, now I’d feel like a jerk if I refused.

Debts were debts, whether money or favors.

I sighed. “Fine, Mr. Drake. Where to? What do you need?”

“House hunting,” he replied, throwing me off guard.

“Houses? Weren’t you heading back after this job?”

“Might stick around, so I’m looking early.” His words hit me weirdly.

I felt strange, couldn’t explain why.

“Your company isn’t even based here,” I reminded him.

“I can quit!”

I was speechless.

“Just renting, by the way. Too broke to buy.” He admitted his financial situation without shame.

That was rare these days, when guys maxed out credit cards for fancy watches just to look rich. But here was Ashton, openly admitting he was broke.

“And you still want to quit your job?” I muttered.

He ignored that, acting like he hadn’t heard.

Maybe it was pity over his broke status, but I ended up driving him downtown.

“Rent must be steep here,” he noted.

“Suburbs are cheaper but the commute’s brutal. As an engineer, you’ll probably work downtown. Living here saves time,” I explained.

He went quiet. Thinking about his empty wallet, I added, “I could loan you some money. Pay me back.

whenever.”

“Trying to be my sugar mama?” His comment made me choke.

I glared, remembering his hints about feelings for me and that marriage proposal.

Smirking, I shot back, “Dream on. I’m the one looking for a sugar daddy.”

face darkened slightly as I started the car.

my phone rang before we could get

hung up and turned to him. “Go ahead without me. Emergency came

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< Chapter 66

move. “What happened?”

at my place. Need to find a

neighbor had called about water flooding

fix it,” Ashton said

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I could respond, he added, “Every minute means more water damage. You could

drove him to my place anyway.

neighbors gathered around pointing

checking things out. “Where’s

plate. “Under there, but it’s rusted shut. Nobody’s been able to turn

was already lifting the cover.

floor, east

on the wet

“It won’t turn!”

rust is years

packed

commented while I

just lie down in the dirt. His muscles strained visibly with effort, looking surprisingly powerful. His shirt clung to his back, revealing the kind of strength you wouldn’t guess at first

the valve wouldn’t budge. His face was turning red from exertion.

young man. Strong guys already tried,” an

call someone,” I suggested,

relaxed, “Done.”

dusting himself off. “Let’s check upstairs.”

down the stairs. “Maybe wait for it

at my shoes. “I’ll carry

wide. “No

of

“I’ll

His f

brushed mine taking them, sending an

never felt that

we’d been too familiar, growing up together. Holding hands

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< Chapter 66

= Menu

been comfortable, expected – but never electrifying like

finally understood what Logan told

hesitating at the cascade of water. When

a neighbor

his hands dirty either,” another added. “That’s rare these days.”

young men like that anymore.

my chest. The water gradually subsided, and I made my way upstairs.

my pants and waded in,

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