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

Chapter

627

I let out a weak laugh. Ron wasn't the type to call just to shoot the breeze-he'd probably wanted to make sure I was still breathing.

Lifting my wrist, I kissed the tiny bell dangling there. "Hayden, your buddy's still got my back for you."

By evening, Wayne showed up at the office to pick me up.

Standing in the golden light of sunset, he practically glowed, his whole figure framed like some kind of cinematic shot.

People walking by couldn't help but stare. A few bold girls even called out," Mister, you're so handsome!"

Wayne didn't even blink, his eyes locked on me like the rest of the world had faded to static.

"Looks like you're quite the heartbreaker now," I teased, stepping closer.

His smile was faint. "And you're still as cheeky as ever."

"Any news on Demi?" I asked, the weight of my worry still pressing on me.

know," Wayne said, his tone steady. But then he hesitated. "I've had someone look into

high-interest ones. And he's been seeing multiple women at

didn't need more than that to connect the dots. Demi's suicide was starting to make a

is he

"In jail."

sharp

nodded. "I'll arrange it," he said, leading me toward

Chapter 627

wasn't flashy like roses, but simple and soft-lavender mixed with baby's breath. The kind of arrangement that felt thoughtful, almost calming. Wayne smiled softly, his eyes warm. "I can't give you the stars you want, but I can at least offer you

words were

and the way he spoke,

moment, meeting his gaze

directness. Our eyes locked in the rearview mirror, and he didn't flinch. "Rea, I just want to protect you," he

felt layered,

mind, sharp and bitter-how he'd told me being with Wayne would humiliate him. That lingering thought pushed me to ask, "Doesn't my past bother you? Aren't you afraid of people talking behind your back, saying things

quiet for a beat too long, so I pressed on. "And Jace? Aren't you afraid of how he'll react? That he'll turn against

was afraid of all that-what people would say, how Jace would react. That's why I let so much time pass. Why I missed my chance with

choosing my words carefully. "You should know... my heart belongs to Hayden. Even if..."

crack in his composure. But Wayne was stone -cold steady,