More Than A Favor (Elaine and Logan) novel Chapter 1

"Be honest. Did you ever sleep with Elaine?"

The deep, low voice cut through the crack in the door, freezing me in my tracks. My hand hovered over the doorknob.

Through the narrow gap, I could see Logan Mercer lounging on the couch, his jaw tight, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"She's tried," he said flatly. "But I wasn't interested."

"Come on, Logan," his best friend, Caleb Turner, replied with a laugh that carried a hint of disbelief. "Don't sell her short. Everyone knows Elaine's gorgeous. She's got half the guys in our circle chasing after her."

Logan tipped his head back slightly, his brows pulling together. "You don't get it. We've known each other too long. It's like…" He hesitated, searching for the words. "It's like knowing what's behind every door before you open it. There's no mystery left."

My chest tightened as I listened from the hallway.

I first met Logan when I was fourteen. Back then, everyone told me he was the person I'd marry. I was sent to live at the Mercer estate, and for ten years, we'd been tied together—sharing a house, a life, a future, or so I thought.

Caleb chuckled, breaking my thoughts. "So you're saying you see too much of her? What, you know how many times she sneezes in a day? How often she checks the mirror?" His teasing tone shifted into something more reflective. "You know, Logan, relationships don't work like that anymore. People want excitement. They crave the chase. It's only fun when you can't have what you want."

Logan didn't respond. He just sat there, smoke curling up from the cigarette he'd lit.

"So," Caleb pressed, leaning forward, "are you still going to marry her?"

My breath caught.

Logan' parents had pushed for us to get married, but he'd never given me a clear answer. I hadn't dared to ask. Now, Caleb was doing it for me.

Logan exhaled a slow stream of smoke, his silence stretching into the room.

"Not answering, huh?" Caleb smirked. "Let me guess. You don't want to marry her."

"That's not it," Logan replied, his tone clipped.

"Then what? You're willing to marry her, but you're not exactly thrilled about it?" Caleb's grin widened, as if he'd struck a nerve. He knew Logan too well.

Logan leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Ever heard this saying?" he asked.

Caleb raised an eyebrow. "What saying?"