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.

his tone steady. But then he hesitated. "I've had someone look

guy's drowning in debt-online loans, high-interest ones. And he's been seeing multiple women

the dots. Demi's suicide was starting to

is he

"In jail."

drew in a sharp breath. "Can I see

it," he said, leading me toward

Chapter 627

bouquet resting there. It 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

were undeniably

way he spoke, it

side for a moment, meeting his gaze head-on." Are you trying to pursue me?" I

in the rearview mirror, and he didn't flinch. "Rea, I just want to

layered, their meaning

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 that

for a beat too long, so I pressed on. "And Jace? Aren't you

say, how Jace would react. That's why I

know... my heart belongs to Hayden. Even if..." I hesitated, locking eyes with him. "Even if he's not here

it deliberately, watching for a crack in his composure. But Wayne was stone -cold steady, not a flicker of