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.

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

changing into pajamas?" Zach asked, eyeing her

replied, not wanting to wear her day clothes again due to the lingering food

pajamas, Zach was momentarily taken aback

Zach's face flushed at the sight of the sleepwear. He then quickly offered her one of his shirts as a makeshift nightgown, saying,

difference in their sizes turned Zach's

the shirt and returned,

about to call it a night, Elvira in his

his white shirt, which barely reached her knees, revealing her fair legs. The unbuttoned top revealed her graceful collarbones and her innocent yet seductive

Tracy? Living alone at

closer.

over expenses, Elvira quickly added, "Look, don't worry about the costs.

share the financial burden. "You really mean that? Joining

1/2 Chapter 10

"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 darkness, Zach could barely make out Elvira's silhouette but her words struck deep,

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

Zach finally said, turning away, trying to mask the turmoil of emotions her proposal had stirred within him. Thinking he was overwhelmed, Elvira 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 faint scent of her making

jolt woke them both, leading to an unintended, intimate collision. With Elvira falling onto Zach, their lips

silent, charged with an unspoken

and Elvira, 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 left Elvira more

covered her mouth with his hand and wrapped

the hell am I not supposed to?' Elvira said to herself, acutely

buttons in a frantic attempt to reclaim some dignity.