She Got A Better Man

Chapter

10

It seems Tracy's grand plan had indeed put them in quite the bind, considering she had never owned anything less than a sprawling residence for her little schernes.

Zach watched Tracy's plot unfold before him. Despite his initial resistance, he found himself unable to say no to her, ultimately agreeing to stay.

Elvira suggested she should share a room with Tracy for the night, to be on hand if needed.

However, Tracy insisted she sleep alone, claiming she was a light sleeper and wouldn't rest well with someone else nearby.

Seeing Tracy's point, Elvira didn't push further. It was only after stepping out that she realized they had a serious logistics issue - there were only two bedrooms in the place.

This meant if Tracy took one room, Elvira and Zach would inevitably end up sharing the other.

Zach, noticing Elvira frozen in place, figured she had just pieced together the awkward situation ahead.

"I can crash on the couch," Elvira suggested, masking her discomfort with a strained smile.

Zach shot her a skeptical look. The couch is a tight fit for a kid, let alone us. How's that gonna work?" His tone mixed annoyance with a hint of humor. It was clear neither of them would fit. "So, what's the plan?" Elvira's voice was laced with concern, seeking a solution.

"Guess I'll hit the floor. You get ready for bed, Zach said, fetching his pajamas.

Returning to their makeshift bedroom, the cramped space and the barely sufficient bedding made Elvira feel a pang of guilt for the luxuries Tracy had lavished on her.

"She lives in this shoebox, yet she spoils me rotten with clothes, Elvira thought remorsefully.

made the bed on the floor. Dressed only in her bathrobe, with her hair cascading down her

changing into pajamas?" Zach asked, eyeing her

with the robe," she replied, not wanting to wear her day

was hesitant to change into pajamas, Zach was momentarily taken aback by the revealing

at the sight of the sleepwear. He then quickly offered her one of his shirts

difference in their sizes turned Zach's shirt into a perfect nightgown for

Elvira changed into the shirt

it a night, Elvira in his shirt stopped him dead

knees, revealing her fair legs. The

about we hire a full-time nurse for Tracy? Living alone at her age, especially with her health, isn't

closer.

concern over expenses, Elvira quickly added, "Look, don't worry about the costs. I've got savings,

offer to share the financial burden. "You really

1/2 Chapter 10

earnestly. "Even though our marriage started unconventional, we're legally married. I've got some money saved up, and we can always figure something out. Isn't sticking together through tough times what families do?" In the

borrowing from a friend, too, Elvira added, wanting to ease any

lay there planning to ask Olivia for a loan, prioritizing the urgent need over all else. As Elvira drifted to sleep, Zach lay awake, her proximity and the

woke them both, leading to an unintended, intimate collision. With Elvira falling onto

room fell silent, charged with

only half-dressed, found the buttons of her shirt undone, bringing them dangerously close, skin to skin. The impracticality of Tracy's lingerie options had

But Zach quickly covered her mouth with his hand and wrapped his other arm around her waist, whispering hoarsely, "Don't

supposed to?' Elvira said to herself, acutely aware of their

in a frantic attempt to reclaim some dignity. But Zach's