Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right by Rosie Steppe

Chapter 205

Sometimes, girls put in effort to look good for someone they care about. At that moment, I realized I cared about Hayden.

After washing my hands, I stepped out of the bathroom. Sure enough, Hayden came over, ready to help.

I brushed it off, trying to seem chill. "I'm good."

He didn't push, just followed me to the table. Along with the risotto, spinach, and chicken breast he'd mentioned, there were a few more sides and a fruit platter that made the whole spread look even more tempting. "Your sister must be really lucky," I said. It was my way of acknowledging his effort.

He didn't respond, and I remembered his sister's heart condition. A random thought popped into my head. "Where's your family from? Where does your sister live?" Hayden glanced at me, staying quiet.

I grinned, biting my spoon. "What, are you afraid I'm gonna hunt her down?"

"Pencetown. It's near Chiverton," he finally answered, offering more than I expected.

I nodded. "I got some unexpected time off. My boss decided I needed a break."

"Oh." His tone was flat.

was ridiculously calm-I'd rarely seen him show

always a little different from the rest

I thought about my sudden break, I started musing aloud. "Why do you think my boss is being so nice to me? I've barely started, and I haven't done

remember how Jace, using a fake identity, tried to land a business deal, only

in, I might've taken the deal. Jace's company had potential, even if he was trying to hide it. There was money to be made, but my boss walked away, which

was sharing a secret. "You think my boss is

a bite of risotto before answering. "It's

playing it off.

didn't waver, steady and serious. "You have the potential to attract

his idea of a

that mean you're into me because

jaw tightened briefly. "It's part of it, but not

Chapter 205

+25 BONUS

We barely know each other." I recalled how he'd said he wanted to marry me back in Chiverton, when we

say anything, then glanced