Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right

I should’ve known better than to look–it just messed with my head.

Right when I was about to turn away, Jace glanced back, locking eyes with me through the floor– to–ceiling window. His brows were furrowed.

I quickly shifted my gaze to Hayden, who’d just handed my phone back after finishing our order. I glanced down at the dishes he picked.

To my surprise, they were all my favorite foods.

But how could Hayden know what I liked? We didn’t know each other that well. Maybe we just had similar

tastes?

I looked up, ready to ask, but stopped myself. Asking too many questions would make it obvious I cared, and I didn’t want to give Hayden that idea.

Instead, I casually asked, “Want to drink something?”

“I don’t drink,” he declined. “And I’ve got stuff to do this afternoon.”

Oh, right. He still had to check out apartments.

I figured that’s why he wasn’t drinking and said, “No worries. I’ll come with you this afternoon, so no one’s gonna rip you off.”

“There’s no need. I’ve already…” He trailed off, and I gave him a curious look, wondering what he was

about to say.

His eyes met mine, steady and unflinching. “I’ve already decided to look on my own. I want to see more

options.”

I nodded, thinking that was probably for the best. I didn’t really want to tag along anyway. It’d be exhausting, and if something went wrong with the place I recommended, I’d feel responsible.

Since he wasn’t drinking, I ordered two non–alcoholic beverages and hit submit.

Out of nowhere, a shadow loomed over our table, and a voice I knew all too well cut in, “I thought your were in a hurry to meet the deadline? What are you doing here, having lunch?”

Jace, that insufferable jerk, had shown up after all. I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of lies Tanya had spun to get him here.

His tone made me want to slap him. Just because we’re working doesn’t mean we can’t eat?

I looked up, ready to snap back, but Hayden beat me to it. “We’re taking a break today.”

Jace turned his icy glare on Hayden, then back to me. “Who approved this break?”

“I did,” Hayden answered before I could.

Jace’s expression grew darker. “You? You’re just a lighting engineer. What gives you the right to request a break? Your job is to help us finish the lighting adjustments and pass inspection.”

His words were so rude, I couldn’t keep quiet anymore “Mr. Johnston, I’m the one in charge of the

12

amusement park project, and I approved today’s break. What, do you think we’re supposed to keep going like–robots without ever recharging?”

Okay, so my analogy wasn’t the smoothest, but the point landed.

Right after I spoke, Hayden jumped in, “I may just be the lighting guy, but isn’t that exactly what you need right now, Mr. Johnston?”

Jace’s face turned a deep shade of red, realizing he was being challenged by both of us.

“Fine, take your break. Enjoy your meal. This lunch is on my company,” Jace muttered before stomping over to the counter to pay the bill.

I couldn’t resist a smirk. “Mr. Hart, think we ordered enough?”

Hayden didn’t say anything, just looked at me, and for some reason, his gaze made me feel oddly self-

conscious. This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

I was about to look away when he suddenly said, “Someone just sent you a message.”

“Oh, right. Let me check,” I replied, relieved to have something else to focus on. I opened the message, and instantly, my ears started to burn.

The message was from Lena: [Is Hayden, like, actually impotent? I mean, how do you spend the night with someone as hot as you and not even make a move?]

I wanted to disappear. Why did I have to view that message in front of him?

This morning, after sneaking back from Hayden’s room, I’d told Lena about the awkwardness of falling asleep there. She hadn’t replied until now.

And of all times, why did she have to send this particular message when Hayden had my phone?

I was too embarrassed to even look up. But then Hayden’s deep voice cut through the silence, “I’m in excellent health, and that function works just fine.”

I was speechless.