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

000

+15 BONUS

80 percent complete, and I needed

chances of issues were small, but I still had to go through

making the rounds, my feet were swollen and my toes

rest. Demi noticed something was wrong. "Keira,

we weren't outdoors, I would've taken off my shoes

looked at me. "Do you feel sick besides your feet

slightly

to her own face and added, "You

last night, it would be strange if I did. No amount of makeup could hide

because my period is coming," I found an excuse, then took out my phone, pretending

talkative girl, and I feared if she kept

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

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

speak, my

mad?" His voice was low

said, trying to

go, continuing to massage my foot.

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

moved to the right, ignoring the people walking by. Some girls glanced over enviously, whispering

admit, I was moved too. My frustrations from last night started to melt away

massages.

2/44

+15 BONUS

you're so lucky!" Demi mouthed from

last night's incident, I'd not only seem petty

do you want for lunch?"

didn't really have an appetite,

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

over,

my seatbelt for me. As he straightened up, he gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. "Rea, you look shy just like you did when you were

it was just a brief peck, it lifted my

been so easily pleased. A little

asked, "How is

discharged from the

say anything else, and Jace glanced at me.