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

percent complete, and I needed to

precisely, so the chances of issues were small, but I still had

feet were swollen and my toes were

sit down and rest. Demi noticed

I would've taken off my shoes to give my feet a good

looked at me. "Do you feel sick

was slightly taken

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

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

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

I feared if

was Demi, I didn't pay attention until I felt a familiar warmth

taken off my shoes, placing my foot on

didn't speak,

mad?" His voice was low

I said, trying to pull my

go, continuing to massage my foot. "It

blue suit with a white shirt underneath. The

the right, ignoring the people walking by. Some girls

too. My frustrations from last night

massages.

2/44

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Demi mouthed from

to such lengths. If I kept holding on to last night's incident, I'd not

do you want for lunch?" Jace

really have an appetite, even though I was feeling

take you to have grilled fish. They also serve grilled foie gras; it's really

about to fasten my seatbelt when he leaned over, his

fastened my seatbelt for me. As he straightened up, he gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. "Rea, you

just a brief peck, it

always been so easily pleased. A

Tanya, I asked, "How is Tanya

discharged

anything else, and Jace