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.

ridiculously calm-I'd rarely seen him

sense, though. Military guys were always a little different from the rest of

thought about my sudden break, I started musing aloud. "Why do you think my boss is being

led me to remember how Jace, using a fake identity, tried to land

hadn't stepped in, I might've taken the deal. Jace's company had potential, even if he was trying to hide it. There

sharing a secret. "You think my boss is

taking a bite of risotto before answering. "It's

playing it off. "Hmm?" Acting all

waver, steady and serious. "You have the potential to

that his idea of

me because of my... 'potential' too?"

briefly. "It's part of it,

Chapter 205

+25 BONUS

We barely know each other." I recalled how he'd said he wanted to marry

anything, then glanced at