Medicine really is a lifesaver.


    After using the spray, the burning in my mouth finally eased up. By lunchtime, even drinking water


    wasn’t torture anymore. But still, I wasn’t about to risk eating anything solid. Salt and spices? Yeah,


    no way.


    “Keira, how about we stick to porridge, maybe some eggs or a sd on the side?” Demi suggested,


    trying to keep things simple for me.


    I knew how much she loved her meat. “I’ll just have porridge. You can get whatever sides you


    want.”


    Demi was about to respond when Hayden strolled over “Mind if I join you for lunch?” he asked.


    Hearing a guy like him ask to “join us for lunch felt so weird


    I was on the verge of turning him down–I was still feeling a little awkward after he helped me with


    the spray earlier. He didn’t seem fazed, but I sure was.


    Before I could say anything, though, Demi–ever the fangirl–nodded eagerly. “Of course, Mr. Hart.


    What would you like to eat?”


    Ill…” Hayden nced at me and continued, “have what


    Kay is having–porridge.”


    Demi’s eyes practically popped out. “Just porridge? No sides?”


    “Something light is fine, low salt, low oil,” Hayden replied, pointing to his mouth. “I haven’t been


    drinking much watertely either.”


    Fair point.


    “You’re overheated too, huh,” Demi sighed, then muttered to herself, “Seems like I’m the only one


    not suffering. Does that mean I’m cking off?”


    In the end, we ordered three bowls of quinoa porridge, a serving of steamed zhini, and a


    chicken sd.


    “Mr. Hart, isn’t that a bit too little food? Will it be enough for you?” Demi asked Hayden after cing


    the


    order.


    “It’s enough,” Hayden replied curtly.


    Over the past few days of working together, I’d noticed he was more of a doer than a talker.


    *Keira, maybe we should add a couple more sides. I mean, look at Mr. Hart’s build. He doesn’t


    seem like someone who eats so little,” Demi suggested.


    My mouth was still sore, and I wasn’t in the mood for chit–chat, so I went with a quick answer. “He’s


    built with muscle, not fueled by meat.”


    As soon as I said that, I couldn’t help but think back to the time I saw Hayden washing his hair in a


    tank top–those muscles were definitely something…


    “Yeah, Mr. Hart really is all muscle. I just haven’t had the chance to see for myself,” Demi remarked,


    with that look in her eye that said she wouldn’t mind seeing Hayden shirtless


    This little perv. I rolled my eyes. “Opportunities are made. Why don’t you go ask him to take off his


    shirt right now so you can have a look?”


    “Keira!” Demi blushed.


    I thought that would shut her up, but nope, she kept going. “I think he might be into you.”


    I nearly choked on my own breath.


    “Seriously, he looks at you differently. And he’s always so hands–on with you,” Demi teased,


    mimicking Hayden’s chin–grabbing move


    I swatted her hand away. “Do you want to lose your bonus?”


    “We’re on lunch break,” Demi countered, making her point.


    “Maybe you should give it a shot with Mr. Hart? It might even get under Mr. Johnston’s skin, show


    him you’ve got options,” Demi suggested, always full of ideas.


    I chuckled. “I thought you had a crush on Mr. Hart?”


    “But he’s not into me,‘ Demi admitted, fully aware of he “uation. “Besides, apart from not being a


    CEO, he’s better than Mr. Johnston in every other way.”


    Her taste wasn’t half bad.


    “If you’re shy, I can y matchmaker for you two,” Demi offered, getting bolder with every word.


    I couldn’t help butugh. First Macy tried to set me up with Hayden, and now Demi was at it too.


    Wast


    there something about Hayden and me that made everyone think we were a perfect match, Co.


    Was


    “I’m going to ask him right now,” Demi said, already half out of her seat.


    I quickly grabbed her arm, pulling her back down. “Stay put, and let’s drop this. There’s no way


    that’s happening between us.”


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    H


    “Why not?” Demi looked genuinely confused. “Don’t you like him?”


    Not wanting Demi to make things even more awkward between Hayden and me, I just hummed in


    agreement.


    “But you’re not the shallow type! The only thing Mr. Hartckspared to Mr. Johnston is a bit of


    money. “Demi continued, still trying to convince me.