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

the chances of issues were

were swollen

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

would've taken

at me. "Do you feel sick besides

was slightly taken

face

night, it would be strange if I did. No amount of makeup could hide a woman's bad

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

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

I didn't pay attention until I felt a familiar warmth

off my shoes, placing my foot on his knee,

speak, my

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

I said, trying to pull my foot

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

with a white shirt underneath. The custom cufflinks gleamed in the sunlight, standing out just

people walking by. Some girls glanced over

My frustrations from last night started to melt

massages.

2/44

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you're so lucky!" Demi

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

you want for lunch?" Jace asked

appetite, even though

gras; it's really good," Jace said as he helped

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

As he straightened up, he gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.

a brief peck,

pleased. A little

of Tanya, I asked, "How

discharged from

Jace glanced at