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

and I needed to check

following the blueprints precisely, so the chances of issues were small,

rounds, my feet were swollen and my toes were

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

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

you

slightly

face and added,

would be strange if I did.

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

talkative girl, and I feared if she kept

was Demi, I didn't pay attention until I felt a familiar warmth on my ankle. I looked

taken off my shoes, placing my foot on his knee,

speak, my throat

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

I said, trying to

massage my foot. "It won't

underneath. The custom cufflinks gleamed in

my left foot, then moved to the right, ignoring the people walking by.

frustrations from last night started to

massages.

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you're so lucky!" Demi mouthed from

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

for lunch?" Jace

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

They also serve grilled foie gras; it's really

about to fasten my seatbelt when he leaned over, his soapy scent brushing past my nose, making

he straightened up, he gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. "Rea, you

brief peck, it lifted my

so easily pleased. A little kindness from him, and

I asked, "How is

fine, discharged from the

say anything else, and Jace glanced at