Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right by Rosie Steppe

Chapter 8

"Keira, Mr. Johnston is looking for you."

Demi Young, who had followed me, held out her phone.

I had really underestimated Jace's persistence. With no other choice, I took the call. "Mr. Johnston, what can I do for you?" I asked formally.

"Rea," Jace's voice was hoarse and full of guilt. "Why'd you leave so early today? I didn't see you when I got back."

Realizing this wasn't a work call, I stepped away, "I went out for breakfast."

"I'm sorry, I... I couldn't leave last night, so I didn't come back."

A cold chill ran through me, and I felt a mocking smile on my lips. "Why couldn't you leave?"

Jace went silent.

I held my breath, giving him an out. "Was it because you couldn't find a caregiver?"

"Yes..."

I didn't say anything else, but Jace continued, "Rea, when will you be done there? I can pick you up, and we can grab lunch together.

We hadn't had a meal together in a long time. According to Brad, Jace had been spending his time with Tanya. So, this sudden lunch invite-was it to make up for last night or just a sudden pang of guilt?

I didn't know, nor did I want to waste brain cells guessing. I replied blandly, "I'm not sure when I'll be done, maybe around noon... but it might drag on. Besides, don't you have something to do every noon these days?" *Rea," Jace said heavily. He must've caught the sarcasm in my voice. After a two-second pause, he added, "Don't overthink it."

'Huh? He pulled up his pants and left when we were halfway there. What does he expect me

to think?'

It was work time, and I didn't want to discuss personal matters with him. "I'm busy now. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."

He didn't speak, so I hung up.

Today's fieldwork included discussions with our partners and an on-site inspection. After finishing the discussions at ten in the morning, Demi and I headed to the site.

This was an amusement park construction project, and I was responsible for overseeing

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The project was already 80 percent complete, and I needed to check if the progress

partners were following the blueprints precisely, so the chances of issues were small, but I still had to

were swollen and my

a place to sit down and rest. Demi noticed something was wrong. "Keira, are

I admitted. If we weren't outdoors, I would've taken off my shoes to give my

"Do you feel sick besides your feet

slightly

her own face and

barely sleeping last night, it would be strange if I did. No amount of makeup

is coming," I found an excuse, then took out

I feared if she kept asking, I'd run out of

loomed over me. Thinking it was Demi, I didn't pay attention until I felt

my foot on his knee, massaging

didn't speak,

up at me. "Still mad?" His voice was

I said, trying to

let go, continuing to massage my foot. "It won't happen

suit with a white shirt underneath. The custom cufflinks gleamed in the

moved to the right, ignoring the people walking by. Some girls glanced over enviously, whispering about seeing such a charming

too. My frustrations from last night started to

massages.

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lucky!" Demi mouthed

If I kept holding on to last night's incident, I'd not only seem petty but also like I was desperate for

you want for lunch?"

didn't really have an appetite, even though I was feeling a

have grilled fish. They also serve grilled foie gras; it's really good," Jace said as he helped me into the

when he leaned over, his soapy scent brushing past my nose, making

straightened up, he gave me a quick kiss on

a brief peck, it lifted my spirits

had always been so easily pleased. A little kindness from

asked, "How

fine, discharged

else, and Jace glanced at me.