His Destructive, Toxic Love novel Chapter 530

"Yeah, I've caught wind of some troubling stuff and got worried about you..." His eyes were full of concern, and he gave a slight, tense smile. "But you seem to be doing alright."

"Those who are gone are gone, and the rest of us have to keep on living," she said, trying to smile but not quite managing it.

Manuel nodded, his voice gentle, "If there's ever anything you need, just say the word. I'm here to help."

"Thanks."

Michael had been sneaking a listen from the kitchen. Once Manuel wrapped up his polite goodbyes and left, Michael emerged.

"This guy's got a crush on you, huh?"

Eliza shrugged it off, "Just a blind date."

"A blind date?"

No way, she actually went on blind dates? When did that happen?

"Before I decided to give it another shot with Casper," she clarified.

Michael was floored, flopping down next to Eliza on the couch with such enthusiasm that he nearly bounced her off. "This guy seems like quite the catch. Meeting someone like him on a blind date? You've got some serious luck."

"Lucky, but not in the ways that count," she shot back with a smirk.

Michael chuckled, "If this guy's cool with being a stepdad, maybe it's worth thinking about."

"Yeah, right."

Eliza wasn't having it. Even if Manuel did fancy her, the idea of him stepping in to help raise her two kids seemed far-fetched. With all his options, why would he settle?

She brushed it off.

"Hey, he might be up for it, you never know."

"Rather than dragging someone else into this, I might as well..." Eliza let her eyes land playfully on Michael, "...drag you into it."

"Me? An uncle? That's hardly a burden. Just a couple of kids." He puffed his chest out, "Piece of cake."