I should’ve known better than to look–it just messed with my head.
Right when I was about to turn away, Jace nced 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
nced 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
simr
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’lle 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 ce I rmended, 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 p 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 re 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 pointnded.
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?”
N?velDrama.Org is the owner.
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 mypany,” 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.
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 particr 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.