After sending that, I added: [Some young hottie.]


    Then I just stared at my phone, waiting. One second, two seconds, three seconds… still nothing.


    Um, what?


    Was he mad? Or just ignoring me?


    My fingers hovered over the screen, almost typing, “Hey, you good?” but then deleted it. Twice.


    If he was gonna flip out over some random guy sending me flowers, then what would be next?


    Would he go all possessive like Jace did?


    Back in high school, I had guysing up to me all the time, and Jace acted like I was his personal


    property. Even when I was working at RiverwaveCorp, people flirted without knowing I was


    engaged, and he was the same–super jealous, always overreacting.


    He’d get so mad. He wouldn’t just get on the guy’s case but also make it my fault for being, I don’t


    know, too friendly” or something.


    To keep the peace, I’d end up avoiding any guy friends who might set him off.


    I swore I’d never let that happen again.


    So, I tossed my phone aside and got back to work.


    About ten minutester, my phone rang. Hayden was calling


    I frowned a little and answered, “What?”


    “Why didn’t you reply to my texts?” Hayden’s voice crackled through, sounding all hurt.


    I blinked, surprised. I opened up my chat app and saw a string of unread messages from him:


    [I’m not so happy about it, but I know it’s not your fault.]


    [If some guy sends you flowers, I get it, but you’re not allowed to actually like those guys.]


    [And seriously, don’t joke like that. It makes me feel insecure.]


    He was practically radiating frustration through the screen. For a second, I wasn’t sure how to


    respond.


    “Why aren’t you saying anything?” Hayden asked again,


    “I don’t know what to say.”


    “I’m not mad, just… kinda jealous,” he admitted, sounding sincere.


    I couldn’t help butugh. “Jealous? What does that even look like? Send me a selfie.”


    “What are you having for lunch?” Hayden asked, switching topics.


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Was he hinting that we should eat together, or nning to bring me something?


    Either way, I had to turn hirn down, so I told him I was having lunch with Lindey.


    “I wanted to have lunch with my girlfriend,” Hayden said, making his intentions clear.


    I chuckled. “You’re being so clingy. Don’t you have work?”


    Then I remembered he’d mentioned earlier that he was leaving today, so maybe his schedule was


    lighter.


    “Wait, didn’t you say you were leaving? Is it for work?” I asked, repeating what I’d asked this


    morning.


    “No, I just need to take care of some stuff. But I’ll be back soon and stay with you in Seavora,” he


    said, surprising me.


    I knew hispany’s HQ wasn’t here, and they didn’t have an office in this city either.


    “What about your job?” I blurted out.


    Hayden didn’t respond right away. Remembering what Ron had suggested, I blurted out, “Hayden,


    why don’t you join mypany? They’re hiring, and they could use someone like you.”


    “You want me to work with you?” Hayden asked.


    I paused, feeling a little flustered. “Not with me, just, you know, at the samepany. I’m in


    marketing, so we wouldn’t even be in the same department.”


    “But we could still see each other whenever we want,” Hayden said, leaving me totally speechless.


    “Alright!” He agreed, just like that.


    And now I kinda regretted bringing it up.


    Back when I joined Jace’spany as his assistant, I thought working together would make dating


    easier. But that backfired big time. Instead of getting closer, he got sick of me.


    “You should get back to work. I’ll see youter,” Hayden said before hanging up, leaving me staring


    at the screen, stunned.


    I guess it’s true what they say: “Watch what you say.” I’d really dug myself into this one.


    But it was toote to take it back now.


    I could only hope Hayden would find a better opportunity and rethink this whole thing. Maybe I’d


    bring it up with him tonight.


    I


    I gave myself a little smack on the head. Why did I have to go andplicate things?


    e waiter


    By eleven, I left the office and headed to Signature Soirée, where Lindey suggested we meet. The


    recognized me and led me to a private room.


    “Right this way!” he said, holding the door open.


    I stepped inside, only to freeze. Lindey wasn’t alone–Jace and Tanya were there too.