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

the chances of issues were small, but I still had to

were swollen

rest. Demi noticed something was wrong. "Keira,

If we weren't outdoors, I would've taken off my shoes to give my feet a good

"Do you feel sick besides

slightly

face and

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

an excuse, then

a talkative girl, and I feared if she kept asking, I'd run

loomed over me. Thinking it was Demi, I didn't pay attention until I felt a familiar warmth on my ankle. I looked down to see

my foot on his knee, massaging it gently.

didn't speak, my

mad?" His voice was low and

said, trying to

to massage my foot. "It won't

was wearing a royal blue suit with a white shirt underneath. The

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

frustrations from last night started to melt away with

massages.

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lucky!" Demi mouthed

last night's incident, I'd not

you want for lunch?" Jace

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

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

seatbelt when he leaned over, his soapy scent brushing

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

was just a brief peck, it lifted my

easily pleased. A

I asked, "How is

discharged

anything else, and Jace glanced at me. "Why aren't you