More Than A Favor

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.”

the car. “Let’s check

real estate office, my phone

Okay, coming now.” I hung up and turned to him. “Go ahead without me. Emergency

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< Chapter 66

didn’t move.

place. Need

downstairs neighbor had called about water flooding the

can fix it,”

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added, “Every minute means more water damage. You could end up paying for neighbors‘ repairs

drove him to my place anyway.

flooded, neighbors gathered around pointing and

faster than me, checking things

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

lifting the cover.

floor, east

flat on the wet ground, reaching for the

“It won’t turn!”

rust is

too packed

commented while I watched

in the dirt. His muscles strained visibly with effort, looking surprisingly powerful.

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

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

suggested, feeling bad watching him struggle.

relaxed,

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

stairs. “Maybe wait

my shoes. “I’ll carry

eyes went wide.

of the audience of curious neighbors.

“I’ll go up

His f

them, sending

felt that with Logan.

been too familiar, growing up together.

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

finally understood what Logan told Caleb about

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

miss?” a neighbor asked. “He seems very

dirty either,” another added. “That’s

see young men like that anymore. You’re lucky,

The water gradually subsided,

pants and waded in, finding Ashton in the bathroom working on the valve.