Chapter 56
Ashton strode over, giving me a casual look. “Let’s go.”
Wait, what?
Wasn’t he going to explain why he wanted a room right next to mine?
I wanted to ask, but felt like that would just make things awkward.
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“Mr. Drake, why’d you pick a room so close to ours?” Maya blurted out. Sometimes her directness came in handy – she’d ask what I was too chicken to.
He walked to the elevator and hit the button. I caught a glimpse of his room key–308, right next door to mine.
“For convenience,” was all he said.
Convenient for what exactly?
Talk about leaving things open to interpretation.
Maya looked as confused as I felt. She glanced between us and pressed, “What kind of convenience are we talking about here, Mr. Drake?”
I wanted to smack her. Why couldn’t she leave well enough alone?
The elevator doors were mirror–like, reflecting all of us. Through the reflection, I caught Ashton’s eye. We held each other’s gaze for a moment before he looked away.
“Just in case,” he replied to Maya.
That shut both of us up.
Even Maya got quiet, just tugging at my sleeve.
Looked like Ashton had finally found a way to silence her.
We hit the third floor and headed to our rooms. Before going in, Maya chirped, “Mr. Drake, just let me know if you need anything!”
“Sure,” he said, disappearing into his room.
The second we got inside, Maya pounced. “What’s his deal? Why’s he want to be so close? What if he’s some creep hiding behind that handsome face? What if he wants to… you know!”
Funny how she suddenly thought about safety after letting her crush cloud her judgment.
But I didn’t want her paranoia affecting work, so I cut in firmly, “He’s not like that.”
She blinked. “How do you know?”
I regretted saying anything – I’d forgotten how nosy she could be. Mental note: keep my mouth shut around Maya from now on, or I’d spend forever explaining myself.
“Just a hunch. Could be wrong though. Feel free to find out,” I teased.
Maya’s eyes lit up. “Really? I wouldn’t mind!”
I grabbed a sofa pillow and threw it at her.
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*Chapter
She yelped as I headed to my room, dropped my suitcase, and asked to the father
Stripping down for my shower, I suddenly remembered something and tracked my water Sure enough, there was a nasty purple bruise where I’d hit the equiorment. My sale she made took si
Touching it gently, I couldn’t help remembering how Ashton had graphed me to break my fail
I shut my eyes tight, forcing the memory away
Before I could finish my shower, Maya called out, “Elaine, your phone’s ringing”
I turned off the water: “Who is it?
“Don’t know unknown number.”
I frowned. “Let it go. Probably a wrong number
1 kept every number saved in my phone–clients, friends, family, even Logar’s
“Okay,” Maya said, then added, “How sweet do you want your lemonate!
“Light on sugar,” I replied, turning the water back on
I
Twenty minutes later, I was out and Maya took her tum Towel drying my hair, checked my phone. The number was from Amaty my first thought was Chloe
Maybe she missed me or had something to tell me
I called back. After a few rings, “Hello, who’s this?”
“It’s me. Can you come over? Ashton’s voice caught me off guard. Weird how he hadn’t crossed my mind as a possibility.
“Need something? I asked.
“Yes,”
That’s all he said before hanging up.
Since he was basically our lifeline for fixing the lights, I couldn’t afford to tick him off.
So I threw a jacket over my PJs and went to knock on his door
When he opened up and saw my wet hair, he swallowed hard.
“Still hurting?” he asked.
I didn’t follow. “What?”
His eyes dropped to my waist, and it clicked.
My heart did this weird little jump. “Oh. I’m fine
“Wait here,” he said, leaving me standing in his doorway.
I peeked inside. His laptop was open on the desk – looked like he’d been working while I was in the shower
Not bad. Points for being professional.
He came back, his tall frame blocking my view. He was still in the same clothes, but his T–shirt was
TË
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fucked in, making his lege not even inniger
Like some runway moder
No wonder Maya was so into him. Can’t Mame her angesating Beauty a jar gan sa po wouldn’t want to look at something that perfectz
Put this on the braise it helps them fare pre Han HAUS MAA SALON Te of sentiment
“Thanks,” I said, taking it
If it’s really bad, get it checked out he added
The ointment and his concem made me wonder if he actually cared
Then he added, “Don’t want anyone slowing down the propers with rides serene
So not concern just didn’t want delays
a:
I mentally kicked myself for being so romantic and forces a smile box weny the Sha want this finished more than you do
The sooner we wrapped up and I could hand things over to legan, the less I TESNE
i encoron
199 “Thanks for this,” I said, holding up the ointment before heading bac GAY
I tossed it on the bed and let out a huge sigh. For some reason, I felt really down
Maya finished her shower and belly flopped onto the bed in her robe
TREATIST
“Ow! What’s this?” she yelped, finding the ointment. “Where’s this come from? is yours “Who else’s would it be? I grabbed it back
“Why do you need it? Are you hurt? I almost laughed at her questions
She’d seen me fall, but apparently only registered Ashton catching me, not what causes Meanwhile, Ashton had noticed I was hurt.
in
My thoughts were getting messy squeezed my eyes shut, trying to clear my head Lying downl checked my phone
Lots of unread messages some group chats, some private
Nora: “What’s up? Miles: “When are you free to show me around this city I’m gonna get lost in? Logan “This message has been deleted”
I stared at Logan’s deleted message, wondering what it had said.
Wrong number? Second thoughts? Something he shouldn’t have sent?
Het my mind wander briefly before switching to reply to Noral
Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a new contact request
The profile picture was a honey locust leaf. The name: Ashton Drake.
Chapter 56
tucked in, making his legs look even longer.
Like some runway model.
No wonder Maya was so into him. Can’t blame her appreciating beauty is just human nature. Who wouldn’t want to look at something that perfect?
“Put this on the bruise. It helps them fade.” He handed me a small tube of ointment.
“Thanks,” I said, taking it.
“If it’s really bad, get it checked out,” he added.
The ointment and his concern made me wonder if he actually cared.
Then he added, “Don’t want anyone slowing down the project with injuries once we really get started.”
Oh.
So not concern – just didn’t want delays.
I mentally kicked myself for being so romantic and forced a smile. “Don’t worry, Mr. Drake. I probably
do.” want this finished more than you
The sooner we wrapped up and I could hand things over to Logan, the less I’d have to see Ashton.
Thanks for this,” I said, holding up the ointment before heading back to my room.
I tossed it on the bed and let out a huge sigh. For some reason, I felt really down.
Maya finished her shower and belly–flopped onto the bed in her robe.
“Ow! What’s this?” she yelped, finding the ointment. “Where’d this come from? Is it yours?”
“Who else’s would it be?” I grabbed it back.
“Why do you need it? Are you hurt?” I almost laughed at her questions.
She’d seen me fall, but apparently only registered Ashton catching me, not what caused it.
Meanwhile, Ashton had noticed I was hurt.
My thoughts were getting messy. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to clear my head. Lying down, I checked my phone.
Lots of unread messages – some group chats, some private.
Nora: “What’s up?” Miles: “When are you free to show me around this city I’m gonna get lost in?” Logan: “This message has been deleted.”
I stared at Logan’s deleted message, wondering what it had said.
Wrong number? Second thoughts? Something he shouldn’t have sent?
I let my mind wander briefly before switching to reply to Nora.
Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a new contact request.
The profile picture was a honey locust leaf. The name: Ashton Drake.
