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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complete, and I needed to check if the

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

making the rounds, my feet were swollen and my toes

and rest. Demi noticed something was wrong. "Keira, are

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

looked at me. "Do you feel

slightly taken

own face and added, "You don't

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

I found an excuse, then took

girl, and I feared if

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

on his knee, massaging it gently. "Are

didn't speak, my

looked up at me. "Still mad?"

said, trying to pull my foot

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

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

people walking by. Some girls glanced over enviously, whispering about seeing such a charming

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

massages.

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lucky!" Demi

had gone to such lengths. 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?" Jace asked

an appetite, even though I was feeling a bit

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

about to fasten my seatbelt when he leaned over, his

he straightened up, he gave me a quick kiss on the

it was just a brief peck, it

easily pleased. A little kindness from him, and

of Tanya, I asked, "How

discharged

and Jace glanced at me.