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

Chapter 422

Jace's face froze, his eyes locking onto mine like he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Then, his gaze dropped to my hand, still laced with Hayden's

No one said a word for a few awkward seconds. Finally, Hayden cleared his throat. "Mr. Johnston, morning."

Morning? The sun wasn't even up yet.

That seemed to snap Jace out of his trance. His jaw clenched, and he looked straight at me. "Rea, I need to talk to you."

I could've said no, but I didn't. Some conversations had to happen, even if they sucked.

"Hayden, go on upstairs. I'm in the mood for some milk," I said, super casual, like I was asking my husband to pick up groceries or something.

He gave a small nod, adjusting the coat around my shoulders. "It's cold this morning."

He stepped into the elevator, leaving me alone with Jace, who just stared at the floor numbers like he was trying to burn a hole through them. When the doors finally shut, Jace turned back to me. "When did you buy the apartment?"

I used to think he bought the one above mine on purpose, just to mess with me. But from the look on his face, I realized I might've been wrong.

"Probably before you did," I replied, watching his expression shift. Something dark flickered in his eyes.

"Tanya didn't tell you to buy that apartment,

didn't say anything, but the silence told

her thing with Jace in my face or to make him see Hayden

I figured out the game before it even

want to talk?" I asked. "You gonna do

flickered again.

enough that I could follow easily, like he was afraid

in over a day," he said softly when we stepped out into the chilly

he meant. He wanted

already ate."

it, I saw the pain flash across his face, followed by a quiet, "You won't even eat

but I didn't want him thinking I still cared, or worse, felt sorry for

by the flowerbeds, I suggested, heading for the small garden nearby. No way was I getting in

car.

+25 BONU

followed, and before I knew it, his jacket was draped over my shoulders. It was still

straightened the collar around me. "You're not gonna reject this too, are you?" He didn't

jacket, and a weird lump formed in my