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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I needed to check if the progress matched the

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

were swollen and

found a place to sit down and rest. Demi

outdoors, I would've taken off my shoes to give my

"Do you feel sick besides your feet

slightly

face and added, "You

barely sleeping last night, it would be strange

because my period is coming," I found an excuse, then

and I feared if she kept asking, I'd run

Demi, I didn't pay attention until I

shoes, placing my foot on his knee, massaging it gently. "Are

didn't speak, my throat

me. "Still mad?" His voice was

said, trying to pull my foot

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

wearing a royal blue suit with a white shirt underneath. The custom cufflinks gleamed in

the right, ignoring the people walking by. Some

was moved too. My frustrations from last night started to melt away with

massages.

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you're so lucky!" Demi mouthed from

I kept holding on to last night's incident, I'd

do you want for lunch?" Jace asked

replied, I didn't really have an appetite, even

They also serve grilled foie gras; it's really good," Jace said as he

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

quick kiss on the cheek. "Rea, you look shy just like you did when

just a brief peck, it

so easily pleased. A little

Tanya, I asked, "How is

discharged

else, and Jace glanced at