I worried that Demi would totally stir things up between Hayden and meter, making it super


    awkward.


    Besides, Hayden’s attitude earlier made it clear he wanted to act like he didn’t know me, so no one


    would find out we had any connection.


    “I don’t know him,” I lied.


    “Then how do you- Demi started, but I cut her off.


    “I’m just guessing.”


    Demi barely touched her food, her mind totally fixated on Hayden. Normally, she could eat at today


    she had ordered her favorite chicken chop.


    But with a hot guy around, even her favorite food lost its charm.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    and


    “Guess?” Demi was the type to dig until she got to the bottom of things. “How did you guess? Did


    Mr. Hart have it written on his face?”


    That was a tough one to answer, but if I didn’t say something, Demi would keep prying.


    I


    As I was pondering what excuse to give, I noticed a small charm on Hayden’s bag. It was a cute


    little. white bunny, absolutely adorable.


    “That,” I pointed my lips toward the charm, “that’s proof enough.”


    “That proves what?” Demi still didn’t get it.


    “He’s a grown guy carrying a cute little charm like that. Doesn’t it seem out of ce?” I took a


    couple sips from the iced chocte Demi had ordered for me. Way too sweet.


    “Next time, I’ll have lemon water,” I reminded her.


    Demi didn’t respond, still fixated on the charm on Hayden’s bag. “His girlfriend must’ve put it there


    to mark her territory.”


    Seeing she got it, I patted her shoulder and stood up, but Demi tugged at my sleeve. “Keira, maybe


    he just likes bunnies?”


    I was speechless.


    “I’ll ask himter,” Demi said just as Hayden and Eugene returned.


    Perfect timing, no need for me to call.


    “Mr. Hart, your food’s here,” Demi said warmly, opening Hayden’s takeout bag and even trying to


    unwrap the cutlery.


    But Hayden stopped her. “I can do it myself.”


    “I just-


    Demi wanted to help, but Hayden cut her off. “I have a bit of germaphobia.”


    I almostughed out loud.


    He ordered takeout, which had obviously been handled by other people. If he really had


    germaphobia, he wouldn’t be eating it at all.


    He was just trying to shut Demi down, and it was clear to me he wasn’t into her.


    But Demi, on a dopamine high, didn’t notice. She handed him the unopened cutlery with an “oh.”


    While unwrapping the cutlery, he nced at my takeout box. But I was smart–I had closed the lid,


    so he didn’t see anything.


    Still, he asked, “Did you finish eating?”


    “Yes!”


    “No!”


    Demi andred at the same time. As soon as she said “no,” she sat down and resumed eating her


    I


    now cold–chicken chop.


    Watching this, I shook my head internally. The saying that lust clouds judgment was proving true.


    I couldn’t take it anymore. Grabbing my takeout box to toss it, I heard Demi ask, “Mr. Hart, the


    bunny charm on your bag is so cute. Can you give it to me?


    Her bluntness made my legs wobble, and I almost tripped. This girl is seriously bold!‘


    “No,” Hayden’s refusal was swift and clear.


    I wasn’t surprised at all. Even though I didn’t look at Demi’s face, I could feel her embarrassment. I


    felt secondhand embarrassment myself.


    Behind me, Hayden’s voice rang out again, “I’m giving it to my girlfriend.”