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

Chapter 359

+25 BONUS

I opened my social media and noticed a new friend request. Normally, I don't accept random adds unless they got my number, but I clicked on it out of habit. The name? Cedric Sawyer. Apparently, he's a cop.

I racked my brain, trying to place him. Then it clicked-he was the officer from yesterday, the one who handled my parents' case. I didn't catch his name at the time, but yeah, that had to be him. Plus, he'd asked for my number, so it made sense. I shrugged and hit accept. A notification popped up, saying we were now connected. I didn't message him, though. If he had something to say, he'd reach out first.

I flipped over to Lena's profile and shot her a message: [Girl, you need to tone down the superhero vibe. Be playful, maybe even a little flirty. Let him feel like he's gotta protect you or something. Right now, you're making him feel like he's the sidekick.] After sending it, I glanced across the café at Lena, but she was totally absorbed in her drink. Classic Lena -always oblivious. I didn't expect her to respond right away anyway. It was more of a note for her to think about next time.

"Stop staring at your phone and eat," Hayden nudged me, snapping me back to reality.

"Okay, okay." I mumbled and poked at my pasta. My throat was still sore, so I wasn't really into it.

But the juice? Absolute heaven. Sweet and warm, perfect for my throat. It would've been better cold, but Hayden insisted on warm since, you know, I was on my period.

really hungry, I sipped my juice and watched Hayden. He was totally zoned in on his food, eating fast but neat. For someone who looked so rough around the edges, his table manners were surprisingly on point. Not a crumb left behind. This wasn't just a one-off thing.

was a habit. Growing up, my parents drilled the whole "no wasting food" thing into me too. I remembered it... didn't always follow through, though. Maybe that's the one rule I actually

too od at this whole 'clean your plate' thing. Sure, at home, it's practical-fewer dishes to wash. But here? People might think you're too cheap to order seconds." "It's not about being cheap," he said, reaching over and grabbing my half-finished plate like it was no big

wasn't the first time he'd finished my leftovers, but we were in public

matter. Wasting is still wrong," he said, all

just watched him devour the rest of my

embarrassing seeing him finish my food like that, so I nudged him under the table with my foot. He froze mid-bite, his eyes locking on mine,

swallowed hard, his Adam's apple

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Chapter 359

+25 BONUS

like I was innocent, lightly