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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80 percent complete, and I needed to check if

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

my feet were swollen and my toes

a place to sit down and rest. Demi noticed something was wrong. "Keira,

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

looked at me. "Do you feel sick

slightly

own face

it would be strange if

found an excuse,

a talkative girl, and I feared if she kept asking,

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

my shoes, placing my foot on his knee, massaging it

didn't speak, my

at me. "Still mad?" His voice was

said, trying to pull my

massage

he was wearing a royal blue suit with a white shirt underneath. The custom cufflinks gleamed in the sunlight, standing

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

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

massages.

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so lucky!" Demi

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

you want for lunch?" Jace asked

really have an appetite, even though I was

to have grilled fish. They also serve grilled foie gras; it's really good," Jace said as he helped me

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

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

it was just a brief peck, it

always been so easily pleased. A little kindness from him,

asked, "How

discharged from

and Jace glanced at