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

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complete, and I needed to check if the progress matched

precisely, so the chances of issues were small, but

rounds, my feet were swollen and my

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

admitted. If we weren't outdoors, I would've

"Do you feel sick

slightly

to her own face and added, "You don't look

it would be

found an excuse,

a talkative girl, and I feared if she kept

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

my shoes, placing my foot on

didn't speak, my throat

at me. "Still mad?" His voice

said, trying to pull my

go, continuing to massage my

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

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

too. My frustrations from last night started to melt

massages.

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lucky!" Demi mouthed

to last night's

for

replied, I didn't really have an appetite, even though I was feeling a bit

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

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

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

was just a brief peck, it

so easily pleased. A

asked, "How is Tanya

discharged from the

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