The awkwardness was thick, but honestly, it was probably better that he knew.


    Hayden grabbed his phone, which he’d left on the table, and walked out. The second he was gone,


    Demi practically squealed, saying it was all over.


    But I didn’t give it much thought. I never intended to pursue anything with Hayden, so whether he


    was mad or misunderstood the situation didn’t really bother me.


    To me, Hayden was just a passing acquaintance. I had zero ns to get tangled up in another


    rtionship. It wasn’t like I was swearing off love because of one bad experience, but I just didn’t


    have the emotional energy for it right now.


    After breakfast, I nned to drop Demi off at work before heading to a job interview.


    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I’d only sent out my resume yesterday, so I was surprised when I got an interview invite this


    morning. The speed was unexpected, but hey,nding a job quickly sounded good to me.


    But as I reached the parking lot, I noticed Wayne’s car parked there. He stepped out and opened


    the back door, and out came Lindey.


    They were here to see me.


    “Hi, Lindey,” I greeted her, walking over.


    “Rea,” Lindey grabbed my hand, and tears immediately started streaming down her face.


    Her reaction left me stunned. I nced at Wayne for help, and he quickly handed her a tissue.


    “Mom, you’re going to freak Rea out like this. Just say what you need to say–no need for the


    waterworks.”


    Lindey took the tissue and dabbed at her eyes. “Rea, let’s go home and talk, okay?”


    I looked back at Wayne, hoping for some exnation. He sighed and filled me in. “My mom tried


    calling you, but she couldn’t get through. You didn’t respond to her messages either. She was so


    worried she didn’t sleep at allst night and insisted I bring her to find you this morning. She already


    knows what Jace did.”


    I had a feeling this was about that.


    “Lindey, why don’t we sit down in the restaurant? You probably haven’t had breakfast yet. We can


    talk while we eat,” I suggested, not keen on heading to the Johnston residence.


    Lindey shook her head. “I don’t have an appetite.”


    “Then let’s just talk,” I insisted gently, and after a moment, she agreed.


    I turned to Wayne. “Why don’t you take Demi to the amusement park? I’ll stay here and talk with


    your mom, then I’ll take her home.”


    Wayne looked at Lindey, then back at me, nodding. “Thank you.”


    As Demi left with Wayne, I led Lindey back into the restaurant. She tried to refuse when I wanted to


    order breakfast for her, but I insisted and got her usual favorites.


    “Rea, I know what Jace did. You were right to hit him–he deserved it,” Lindey said, making me look


    down


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    at my hands.


    “It’s my fault for not raising him better. He’s made so many mistakes and hurt you in the process,”


    Lindey continued, shaking her head as if the guilt was too much to bear.


    I bit my lip. “Lindey, this isn’t your fault. Jace made his own choices–he’s an adult.”


    I wasn’t sure what Lindey’s true intentions were ining to see me, but I had a feeling she was


    here to y on my emotions, maybe even to convince me to forgive Jace.


    In truth, whether or not I forgave him didn’t really matter anymore, but I was worried Lindey might


    still hope I’d get back together with him.


    Lindey nodded slightly. “You’re right, so don’t let this weigh on your mind.”


    “Lindey, you’re overthinking it. I don’t feel burdened by this because I did nothing wrong,” I said,


    keeping my tone calm but firm, catching her a little off guard.


    After a moment, she nodded again. “Yes, yes, you did nothing wrong. It’s all Jace’s fault.”


    I stayed quiet, but she continued, “Rea, about you resigning–Matthew doesn’t agree with it either.


    Jace will personally apologize and ask you toe back.”