< More Than A Favor
Chapter 32
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I was floored. A man I’d met only twice was proposing marriage, while the guy I’d dated for ten years had cheated on me. Life sure had a sense of humor.
After the initial shock wore off, I managed a smile. “Mr. Drake, don’t you think this is a bit sudden?”
Ashton’s expression stayed as serious as ever. “Isn’t the point of dating to get married anyway? Since you don’t want to date, we might as well just get married.”
His logic made sense in a weird way. But coming from him, it felt off. What normal person would just marry a complete stranger? That kind of stuff happened in romance novels, not real life.
I raised my eyebrows and gave him a sarcastic smile. “Is this your standard line for every blind date, Mr. Drake?”
The setting sun cast its rays on us, and Ashton’s tall shadow fell over me as he replied, “You’re the first.”
My throat suddenly felt parched. “We… barely know anything about each other.”
Ashton didn’t respond, and we just stood there facing each other. The atmosphere grew thick, and I felt myself getting warm – even my nose was
starting to sweat.
I found myself fidgeting with the wall behind me, desperately searching for something to say. Then Ashton broke the silence: “I’ll go get the chicken.”
“I don’t eat cilantro,” I blurted out, not even sure why I said it.
Ashton acknowledged with a grunt and strode away.
I watched his retreating figure. He was easily over six feet tall, with perfect military posture. In the golden sunset light, everything about him screamed security and stability.
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A crazy thought crossed my mind. Maybe a spontaneous marriage to someone like him wouldn’t be the worst thing. After all, he was military. vetted by the government and probably well–equipped to handle life’s challenges.
When I got back home, Chloe wasn’t around. If she had been, she definitely would’ve cornered me with a million questions. Or launched into a speech about how great Ashton was.
As I pushed open my bedroom door, I heard my phone buzzing on the bed.
Nora’s name flashed on the screen.
“How’s your first day of vacation? Any highlights?” Nora sounded
exhausted. Made sense – as a top surgeon, she often spent five or six hours straight in the OR.
Sprawled on my bed, I thought about my day. “Does a potential romance count as a highlight?”
“No way! Tell me everything!” Nora suddenly perked up.
I chuckled and filled her in about Ashton.
Nora sighed dreamily. “See, Elaine? Life’s fair. When one door closes, another opens.”
“Hold up – you haven’t even met the guy and you’re calling him an opportunity? Besides, I’m not in that headspace right now.” A chill ran through me as I said it.
“A man wanting marriage right off the bat? That’s definitely love at first sight,” Nora declared, like some relationship guru.
I snorted. “Or maybe he just thinks I’m hot?” I wasn’t being cocky – I had won that beauty pageant, after all.
“He’s military, right? Government–vetted!” Nora’s thinking matched mine
earlier.
When I stayed quiet, Nora added, “I was worried you’d be all alone and miserable on this trip. But look – you’ve got romance! You’ll get over Logan’s,
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mess in no time.”
Just hearing Logan’s name made my chest tight and my stomach queasy. I hadn’t felt this way yesterday. When I got stressed or upset, my stomach always acted up.
“Girl, if I were you, I’d marry that soldier and show up at the Mercers frant door. Watch Logan lose it. Skip all the drama with his family.” Sweet Nora could be downright savage when she wanted to.
I hummed softly. “Not a bad idea. I’ll think about it.”
“Like, seriously think about it.”
She paused. “Elaine, want to know the best way to get over someone? Jump into something new, fast.”
“Yes, Dr. Love.” I hung up and lay there staring at nothing.
Outside, I heard Ashton’s footsteps – unmistakable with their steady, pow erful rhythm.
Later, the faucet turned on and Chloe’s voice carried: “Where’s Elaine? Why are you alone?”
I missed Ashton’s reply but caught him saying, “No cilantro in the soup.”
That made me smile, even as tears started falling.
These past years with the Mercers, I’d eaten cilantro. But before that? Never touched the stuff when I lived with my parents.
They say when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Living as Logan’s fiancée, with Tessa treating me like her daughter, I still knew deep down I wasn’t really family.
I compromised on so many little things, trying not to seem difficult or high- maintenance. Forcing down cilantro was just one example.
I’d fallen asleep when Chloe called for dinner. Was dreaming about getting marriage papers with Ashton. Just as I was about to sign, Chloe woke me
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“Didn’t you two work things out?” Chloe asked at dinner.
Thinking about my interrupted dream, I snorted. “We were about to get our marriage license, but then… you called. Didn’t get to sign.”
“What?” Chloe looked confused. “You’re getting married just like that? Without even dating?”
