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 to check if

issues

were swollen and my toes

and rest. Demi

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

me. "Do you

slightly taken

her own face and added,

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

it's because my period is coming," I found an excuse,

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

until I felt a

had taken off my shoes, placing my foot on

speak, my throat

at me. "Still mad?" His voice was low and

trying to pull my

massage my foot.

a white shirt underneath. The custom

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

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

massages.

2/44

+15 BONUS

Demi mouthed

If I kept holding on to last night's incident, I'd not only seem petty

do you want for lunch?" Jace

an appetite,

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

my seatbelt when he leaned over,

my reaction, he chuckled and fastened my seatbelt for me. As he straightened up, he gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. "Rea, you look shy just like

a brief peck, it lifted

A little kindness from him, and

Tanya, I asked, "How is

fine, discharged from

Jace glanced at