More Than A Favor

Chapter 66

© Get 5>

Menu

“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.”

darkened slightly as I started the car. “Let’s check the

estate office, my phone rang before we

What? Okay, coming now.” I hung up and turned to him. “Go

60PL LE

20.63

< Chapter 66

move. “What happened?”

place. Need to

about water flooding the

it,” Ashton said

Get 5

Menu

means more water damage. You could

I drove him to my place

hallway was flooded, neighbors gathered around pointing

than me, checking things out. “Where’s

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

was already lifting the cover. “Which unit is yours?”

east side.”

wet

“It won’t turn!”

is years

too packed

gallery commented while I

him to 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

the valve wouldn’t budge. His face was

up, young man. Strong guys already tried,” an

someone,” I suggested,

suddenly relaxed, “Done.”

up, casually dusting himself off. “Let’s check

the stairs.

at my shoes.

eyes went wide. “No

aware of the audience of

embarrassment, he said, “I’ll go up alone. Keys?”

His f

mine taking them, sending an electric

that with

too familiar, growing up together. Holding

14:10

20524

< Chapter 66

= Menu

With Logan, everything had been comfortable, expected – but never electrifying like this

what Logan told

some water–walking superhero, not even hesitating at the cascade of water. When he disappeared upstairs, I realized I was still staring

a neighbor asked. “He seems

either,” another

like that anymore. You’re lucky, dear.”

as something fluttered in my chest. The water gradually subsided, and I made my way

water everywhere. I rolled up my pants and waded in, finding Ashton in the bathroom working on