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

Chapter 273

Seeing that intense look on his face, I took a good look at him. Mature, confident, and yeah, pretty handsome.

Guys his age had that whole grown-up vibe going on. Way more appealing than, like, Brad.

Older guys were totally in right now.

It was all over social media-women of all ages, whether they were single, married, or even young girls, were into mature men like Hayden.

But him getting all worked up over the 'old man' thing? Clearly, he didn't get that his age was kind of a flex.

I stepped closer. "The truth? You're in your thirties. So yeah, you're not exactly young, especially compared to that kid from earlier who's barely eighteen. So it's not weird for him to call you 'old man' and-"

"You really think I'm old?" Hayden cut me off before I could finish.

He looked tense and genuinely upset.

Wow, I never thought he'd be this sensitive about his age.

I tried to clarify, "I just meant you're not, like, young young, but I didn't-"

Didn't get to finish before he cut me off again. "Anyone else can call me old, but not you."

I was speechless.

like this, I couldn't help but burst out laughing. "Are you really worried I'm gonna think you're old? Or that I'd dump you just because of

respond, just sat there sulking. It was

vibe. Otherwise, why would I have turned down that kid earlier?

then: older guys could be so much harder to handle than

a quick "sorry" was usually enough to smooth things

Clearly, I had to try something more drastic. So, I stood on

barely had time to step back before I felt a strong arm around my waist, pulling

of last night-how he'd held me tight, moving together like we were made for each other. My

we should keep things professional at work? So why are you getting

+25 BONUS

His words...

to

innocent and clueless around

the fool to lure me in. But what could

frustrated sigh. "Stop

I turned and headed for the

grab lunch together," he called out as I reached

pretended not to hear him, but as soon as I stepped outside, I nearly ran into Ron. He grinned at me." Ms. Kay, looks