More Than A Favor
Chapter 61
“You’re so materialistic, Elaine,” Maya sighed, shaking her head.
Get5
Manu
I kept quiet and deliberately avoided looking at Ashton again. Maya’s phone broke the awkward
silence.
“It’s Mr. Langston,” she announced, checking the screen.
Victor? What could he want?
“Yes, we’re at Zone A, by the kids‘ area,” Maya answered. After a brief pause, she hung up. “He’s coming to see you.”
I wondered what this was about. Surely Logan hadn’t sent him so soon after our morning argument?
Victor appeared minutes later carrying a thermos. “From Mrs. Mercer – anti–inflammatory tea for your
mouth.”
Tessa? That was unexpected. We weren’t in touch anymore, so Logan must have told her about my condition. If it had been directly from Logan, I’d have refused it, but I couldn’t reject Tessa’s gesture.
“Thanks,” I said, accepting the thermos.
Victor lingered awkwardly, clearly wanting to say something. Probably still feeling guilty about the
Dazzle incident.
“Don’t overthink it, Mr. Langston,” I said kindly. “It wasn’t your fault.”
“Ms. Hart, I-”
“Really, it’s fine. You’ll just create more problems worrying about it.”
He nodded reluctantly. “Please drink the tea while it’s hot. It works wonders.”
After he left, Maya smirked. “Bet Logan was behind this.”
I knew she was right.
“He’s definitely not over you. Probably wants to keep you as a backup,” she observed.
I smiled bitterly. Logan couldn’t always get his way.
While waiting for our food, I offered Ashton some tea. His “No, thank you” was unusually sharp.
I shared with Maya instead, but before we finished, she jabbed my ribs. “Look who else is here!”
I followed her gaze to see Miles approaching, wearing his signature warm smile. “Having just tea for lunch?”
He held up a container. “Mom made ravioli – your favorite filling.
Maya’s brow furrowed. “Why would Mrs. Mercer send tea and ravioli separately?”
Miles looked confused. “What?”
That’s when it clicked – the tea wasn’t from Tessa at all. Logan had made Victor lie, knowing I’d refuse anything directly from him.
“Never mind,” I said, accepting the container. The aroma of fresh ravioli was irresistible. Despite my
< Chapter 61
sore mouth, I couldn’t resist taking a bite. The filling stung my ulcers, and some sauce leaked from the corner of my mouth.
Miles reached over to wipe it away with his thumb, but Ashton’s cold voice cut through the moment: “Your ulcers aren’t healed, and neither of you washed your hands. Want those sores to become permanent?”
We hadn’t washed up, true. Miles looked embarrassed, but I tried to laugh it off. “A little dirt never hurt anyone.
Ashton approached with wet wipes. When Miles reached for them, Ashton held on, creating an awkward tug–of–war until I intervened, taking them and distributing them.
“Who’s this?” Miles asked, eyeing Ashton’s imposing figure.
*Ashton Drake, our lighting technician,” I said. Ashton’s intense stare prompted me to add, “And this is Miles… my brother.”
Miles offered his hand, but Ashton just nodded. Maya jumped in with, “Mr. Drake has a thing about ge
rms.
Miles withdrew his hand gracefully. “Let’s eat before it gets cold.”
“Can I have some?” Maya asked hopefully.
“Of course,” Miles smiled, then turned to Ashton. “Please join us.”
“I ordered risotto,” Ashton declined flatly, walking away.
Maya watched him go. “Is it just me, or is Mr. Drake acting like he’s got PMS?”
Llaughed. “Nailed it.”
Miles chuckled. “He seems… intense.”
“Usually he’s just quiet, not hostile,” Maya mused between bites. Today he’s like he ate a whole jar of jalapeños.”
Our restaurant order arrived then. I stuck to the mild risotto and salad, leaving the rest for Maya and Ashton – though he never came back to eat, disappointing Maya visibly.
“You seem cheerful,” Miles noted. “I was worried you’d be down.”
“Why would I be?” I shrugged. “I don’t obsess over relationships. When I’m in love, that person is my world. When it’s over, they’re nothing.”
“That’s my girl!” Miles grinned.
“How are Tessa and Ethan?” I asked carefully.
Miles’s smile turned knowing. “What do you think?”
I paused mid–bite as he continued, “They still think you and Logan are meant to be. They’re just giving you space to ‘work things out.”
The risotto suddenly tasted like cardboard. Well, they were in for disappointment.
“Give them time,” Miles said gently. “Don’t feel pressured.”
It wasn’t pressure I felt, but gratitude. They’d raised me, after all.
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“They see you as their daughter. It’s hard for them to let go,” Miles added softly.
“Daughters get married and leave home,” I said pragmatically.
Miles’s eyes sparkled with something unspoken. “But if you marry into the Mercer family, you’ll never have to leave.”
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More Than A Favor
