“It’s for the bruise on your knee. It will ease the discomfort and speed up healing,” Ernest explained. ?s s Find[?]ovel.net

“That’s not necessary,” Elissa said, pressing her skirt down firmly, her posture stiff.

Ernest arched an eyebrow. “What, you think I would take advantage of you?” Aside from that fateful night when their paths had crossed while he was under the influence of some drug, he had always treated her with courtesy.

“That’s not what I meant,” Elissa mumbled, her cheeks flushing faintly. “Just hand it over. I’ll apply it later at the office.”

Glancing at his sharp, striking features, she added, “The car’s cramped, and the smell of this stuff is strong—I’ll stick around.” Her reasoning made sense.

“Fair enough,” Ernest said, passing her the bottle.

Elissa tucked it into her bag. “Thank you.”

When they pulled up to the design firm, Elissa stepped out of the car.

Ernest’s gaze followed her as she headed toward the entrance, her stride still slightly uneven from the bruises.

Meanwhile, Elissa took the elevator, swiped her card to clock in, and settled at her workstation.

She had barely gotten comfortable when her phone vibrated with a text from Ernest. “Don’t forget to use the spray.”

Her face warmed again, the flush creeping back.

After a brief pause, she typed back, “Got it.”

No sooner had she set her phone down than it buzzed again. This time, it was a call from Robin.

“Hello?” Elissa answered, a little puzzled. “Robin? Is something wrong?” Their divorce had severed most ties, and only something significant would prompt contact.

“Elissa,” Robin’s voice came through, tinged with a nervous laugh. “No big deal. I was just wondering how things are with you and Mr. Flynn.”

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He hesitated, then added, “I’m not prying, I swear. It’s just… he seemed upset the other day, and I am worried about you. Are you two good now?”

To Robin, Elissa and Ernest were clearly a couple—Ernest had, after all, stepped in between them more than once.

Elissa gripped her phone, lips tight, saying nothing for a long moment. She had noticed a change in Robin since the divorce, a shift in how he spoke to her. Was it another of his fleeting fancies, or had he genuinely changed? Either way, it no longer mattered to her. Their chapter was closed.

So she kept it brief, her voice gentle but distant. “Thanks for checking. We’re fine.”

Robin went quiet for a beat, then let out an awkward chuckle. “Good to know. I’ll let you get back to it. Bye.”

“Bye,” Elissa said softly, a faint smile on her lips as she hung up.

At lunchtime, another message from Ernest popped up. “I’ll be there to get you after work.”

Elissa understood—he had already made arrangements.

She replied, “Alright. Noted.”

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