Steve’s words totally threw me off–it even kinda shocked me. He always treated me like a little


    sister, goofing around and stuff, but never crossing the line. Today, though, he pushed it a bit too


    far.


    Ron, just as stunned, turned to me, his gaze a little too Intense.


    Ignoring him, Steve stepped right in front of me. “Let’s go inside.”


    I shot Ron a quick nce before following Steve. As we were leaving, I noticed Ron looked like he


    wanted to say something or maybe even stop me.


    “Did you say that just to scare away my admirers?” I asked, piecing it together after a moment.


    “Yep. That dude’s all over the ce–not a good vibe,” Steve said, his take on Ron making me crack


    up.


    He nced at me sideways. “I’m serious. I’ve got a pretty good radar for this stuff. Stay away from


    him.”


    “Okay,” I said, still smiling.


    “No, like, for real. Don’t brush it off.”


    I nodded, more serious this time. “I get it. I wasn’t joking. Guys like him aren’t my type.”


    “Oh, really? So, what is your type?” Steve asked, not beating around the bush.


    Hayden’s face popped into my head. “Someone who’s tough on the outside, but warm inside… and,


    um…”


    I pictured Hayden in the kitchen, wearing an apron. “Someone who can cook.”


    I’d been with Jace for years, and the guy couldn’t even make cereal. He was the spoiled rich kid


    who’d never touched a stove. It was understandable, but still, it showed he didn’t really care. If he


    did, he’d have at least tried for me.


    “Huh,” Steve chuckled. “Your standards are pretty down–to–earth.”


    I nced down at the floor, watching our shadows stretch out under the lights. They kinda have to


    be. Life’s all about the little things, right?”


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    “Yeah, fair enough,” he said with a half–smile.


    We reached the elevator, and he hit the button. When the doors slid open, we stepped inside. The


    mirrored walls reflected both our faces, and I caught the way he was looking at me. “So, have you


    found someone like that?”


    I hesitated for a second. “Yeah, I think so.”


    Steve pressed his lips together, like he was holding back. I half–expected him to ask who it was or


    maybe suggest we meet up sometime, but he just gave me a small, knowing smile and stayed


    quiet.


    I had a feeling he already knew.


    “So Steve, did you find out who owns thepany I’m working for? What’s hisst name? His full


    name? Do you have a picture? I fired off all my questions before we even stepped out of the


    elevator.


    Steve, one hand casually tucked in his pocket, raised an eyebrow. “You’re really eager to know,


    huh?”


    Chapter


    “Yeah, he’s kinda mysterious. Makes me curious.” I grinned. “You know me, Steve. I hate not


    knowing things.”


    “That’s not always a great habit,” Steve pointed out.


    a dark


    I shrugged. “I just don’t like being left in the


    He shook his head. “Have you ever heard the saying. It’s a rare gift to know when to y dumb‘?”


    That was pretty much the core of our differences. Everyone has their own way of looking at things,


    and I wasn’t about to change his mind. So, I steered us back on track. “Anyway, what did you find


    out?”


    The elevator chimed softly, signaling we’d arrived.


    Steve was about to step out, but I reached out to stop him. He chuckled. “Look at you, all worked


    up. I’ll tell you everything, but let’s go inside first. Don’t want to keep people waiting.”


    I raised an eyebrow, instantly on guard. “Who else is here?”


    “Someone you probably haven’t met yet. I’ll introduce you. Could be a good connection for you


    down the line,” he said, patting my head. ‘Rx, I’d never do anything to put you in a bad spot.”


    trusted him, so I followed him into a private room.