Sometimes, girls put in effort to look good for someone they care about. At that moment, I realized I


    cared about Hayden.


    After washing my hands, I stepped out of the bathroom. Sure enough, Hayden came over, ready to


    help.


    I brushed it off, trying to seem chill. “I’m good.”


    He didn’t push, just followed me to the table. Along with the risotto, spinach, and chicken breast


    he’d mentioned, there were a few more sides and a fruit tter that made the whole spread look


    even more tempting.


    “Your sister must be really lucky,” I said. It was my way of acknowledging his effort.


    He didn’t respond, and I remembered his sister’s heart condition. A random thought popped into my


    head. “Where’s your family from? Where does your sister live?”


    Hayden nced at me, staying quiet.


    I grinned, biting my spoon. “What, are you afraid I’m gonna hunt her down?”


    “Pencetown. It’s near Chiverton,” he finally answered, offering more than I expected.


    I nodded. “I got some unexpected time off. My boss decided I needed a break.”


    “Oh.” His tone was t.


    Hayden was ridiculously calm–I’d rarely seen him show much emotion.


    Made sense, though. Military guys were always a little different from the rest of us.


    As I thought about my sudden break, I started musing aloud. “Why do you think my boss is being so


    nice to me? I’ve barely started, and I haven’t done anything special.”


    That led me to remember how Jace, using a fake identity, tried tond a business deal, only to get


    shut down by the mysterious big boss.


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    Honestly, if my boss hadn’t stepped in, I might’ve taken the deal. Jace’spany had potential,


    even if he was trying to hide it. There was money to be made, but my boss walked away, which still


    puzzled me.


    “Hmm?” Hayden’s usual one–word response.


    I leaned in a little, dropping my voice like I was sharing a secret. “You think my boss is into me? I


    mean, it’d exin all the extra perks.”


    Hayden paused, taking a bite of risotto before answering. “It’s possible.”


    I blinked, ying it off. “Hmm?” Acting all innocent.


    His gaze didn’t waver, steady and serious. “You have the potential to attract that kind of attention.”


    Iughed. Was that his idea of apliment?


    “So, does that mean you’re into me because of my… ‘potential‘ too?” I teased.


    His jaw tightened briefly. “It’s part of it, but not the whole reason.”


    “Oh? What else? We barely know each other.” I recalled how he’d said he wanted to marry me back


    in Chiverton, when we were practically strangers.


    He just looked at me, didn’t say anything, then nced at my bowl. “Not finishing?”


    There were a few bites left, and I wasn’t one to waste food, especially when it tasted this good.


    “No,” I mumbled, quickly scooping up another spoonful.


    Hayden stood up, taking his te and cutlery with him.


    He clearly wasn’t in the mood to keep talking. I noticed he only grabbed his own stuff, leaving


    everything else on the table,


    “You’re not gonna eat more? Might as well clear everything. And make sure to clean up. I hate


    mess,” I said, half–joking but serious enough.


    He just grunted and headed to the kitchen.


    I finished my meal and followed with my te. When I handed it to him, I said, “You should take the


    leftovers. I’m going away for a few days.”


    He paused for barely a second before saying, “Okay.”


    That one word, delivered so efficiently, left a weird feeling in my chest–like something heavy I


    couldn’t shake off.


    I felt uneasy, maybe a little annoyed. As I turned to leave, I muttered, “Make sure you lock up when


    you go, not bothering to wait for an answer.


    Back in my room, I grabbed my phone, opened the travel app, and booked a long trip.