Since the whole point was to avoid Cliff, this had to be a personal matter.
Elissa’s expression darkened; the politeness vanished from her voice. “Mr. Murphy, I don’t recall there being anything between us that needs a private conversation.”
Rowan gave her a sidelong look, his gaze and posture both cool and detached. “Bradley asked me to return something to you on his behalf. Don’t want it?”
Elissa fell silent, then turned to Cliff. “Cliff, you should head out first.”
Cliff hesitated, uneasy, but considering the two of them were supposed to be siblings, he figured Rowan wouldn’t do anything out of line. He
e gave Elissa a reassuring nod and left.
The moment Cliff was gone, Elissa held out her hand to Rowan. “Well? What is it?”
Rowan didn’t even bother to look at her. He slid one hand into his pocket and simply strode toward the exit.
Elissa racked her brain, but couldn’t think of anything she’d left with Bradley. With no other choice<b>, </b>she followed Rowan outside.
Somehow, Rowan managed to find her car right away. He stopped in front of it, tugged at the door handle. When nothing happened, he finally looked up at her.
Elissa took a slow, steadying breath. “You need to give something back, and it has to be in the car?”
“My car’s taking Cliff home. Aren’t you going to give me a ride?”
Not my idea, she thought, but she remembered how, just a few days ago at the Murphy house, Rowan had helped her out. With a resigned sigh, she unlocked the doors.
Rowan settled into the passenger seat with practiced ease and handed
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her a small charm, his voice low and unreadable. “You really think this is going to win Frank back?”
Elissa instantly recognized the peace charm Mrs. Garrett had given her. She took it, stuffed it into her bag, and shot Rowan a frosty look. “That’s none of your business.”
She didn’t bother with any further conversation. “Where am I dropping you off?”
Rowan didn’t seem the least bit ruffled. “Juniper Road.”
“Juniper Road?” Elissa blinked in surprise.
Rowan nced over, eyebrow raised. “I live on Juniper Road. Is that a problem?”
“No, it’s fine…” she muttered, just surprised at the coincidence.
The rest of the drive passed in silence.
When they finally reached Juniper Road, Elissa broke the quiet. “Which building?”
No response. She turned her head and found Rowan had already drifted off, longshes resting against his cheek, sharp features softened in sleep.
“Ro-” She started to call his name, but stopped herself, lost in thought. Instead, she pulled out her phone and unblockedn’s number.
She sent him a quick message, asking for the exact address.
Rivercross Residence.
It was practically next door to her ce–a private estate everyone in Vistapeak City had heard rumors about. Thekeside road leading up to it had been bought out entirely for privacy. No one really knew which big shot actually lived there.
onde
Apparently, it was Rowan.
Thanks ton, who no doubt had given security a heads–up, the gate arm lifted as soon as her car approached.
She drove slowly down thekeside road. It was deep winter, and a thinyer of ice zed the water on both sides. Just looking at it made her
shiver.
Yet strangely, for reasons she couldn’t exin, she felt at ease.
“We here?” Rowan’s voice startled her–a low, husky rumble, softer than usual, stripped of its typical frost.
Night had fallen; the car was cloaked in quiet.
It felt just like the old days, when he’d patiently pick her up from her evening lessons, night after night. Back then, it was her who always fell asleep in the passenger seat.
Rowan never woke her. He’d just carry her inside, letting her sleep right. through till morning.
The car jolted, tires slipping a bit on a patch of ice, pulling Elissa out of her thoughts. She pressed her lips together. “Yeah, we’re here.”
Rowan didn’t seem to notice her distraction. “Heard from Mr. ine you’re joining the project?”
“Yeah.” Elissa parked in front of the main building and turned to look at him, her delicate features tinged with uncertainty. “Is that… okay?”