<strong>Chapter 1405:</strong>


    “Tell you what, I’ll swing by after your shift. It’s casual, no fuss. See you then!” Before she could decline again, Victor had hung up. Elyse stared at her phone, dumbfounded. How had she gone from a no to him making ns for her?


    Her reverie was broken by three sharp knocks. Jayden walked in without waiting for a reply.


    Elyse’s expression soured.


    “Why are you here? I asked you not to just walk in. Please, leave.”


    Jayden nced towards the bed, his voice softening.


    “I’m feeling really low today. Can I stay here tonight? Just to share the bed.”


    Elyse stood her ground.


    “Jayden, we’re not there yet. I’m open to sorting things out, but it takes two.”


    He didn’t seem to hear her, simply lying down and pulling her gently towards him.


    “It’s different when you’re here. I just can’t sleep alone.” In the weeks since they’d been sleeping apart, Jayden had discovered he could only find rest by her side, a confession he hadn’t quite made until now.


    After resisting for days, he finally reached his limit and approached her without any pretense.


    “Honey, I can’t sleep without you. Please let me stay,” he implored, using a line he borrowed from Peyton, hoping it might touch Elyse’s heart.


    Elyse felt a stir of emotion, but it wasn’t enough to change her mind. She pushed him gently but firmly, her toneced with irritation.


    “No way. If I let you stay, you’ll start getting handsy. I’m not up for that.”


    Jayden met her eyes, his expression earnest.


    “I promise, I won’t do that tonight.”


    “And what if you break that promise?” Elyse challenged.


    “Please trust me this time,” Jayden responded sincerely.


    Elyse paused, considering his plea, and finally nodded her assent. As theyy side by side, Jayden wrapped an arm around Elyse, and both settled into the silence.


    Remembering her conversation earlier, Elyse broke the silence.


    “If I get off work early tomorrow, Pearce’s friend invited me to a music party. It sounds interesting.”


    Jayden mulled over her words, then agreed.


    “Okay. If you go, I’lle and pick you up.”


    Elyse murmured a thanks and tried to settle into sleep.


    But just as she was about to let sleep take her, the steady rhythm of Jayden’s breathing caught her ear.


    Turning to look at him, she saw he was already deep in sleep. She whispered to herself, bemused,


    “No wonder he could make that promise so easily. He really was exhausted.”


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    Message from Noah: Enjoy the weekend dear readers! New chapters on sunday. God loves you, and Noah wishes you the best! (─??O)


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