Hmph! He didn’t want me anymore, but he was still ying these games.
Clearly, he still had feelings for me. Maybe Lena was right–I needed to y my cards right.
“Mr. Shane, I’ve got ns tonight, but let’s do dinner tomorrow,” I offered, keeping it casual.
Ron’s face lit up. “Great! Sounds perfect. Hayden, you in for tomorrow?”
“I’m busy,” Hayden replied, ice–cold, shutting it down.
Ron looked like he might argue, but I jumped in. “Mr. Shane, I’m taking you somewhere tomorrow
that you’ve never been.”
“Really?” Ron raised a brow. “Somece I haven’t been? Has Hayden?”
He never missed a chance to rope Hayden in. I knew why–Ron was terrified of crossing him,
knowing Hayden was the true heir to the Hart family empire.
Just then, the elevator arrived, and Hayden strode out without a nce at Ron.
Ron nced between us, looking like he wanted to say something, but switched gears quickly. “Ms.
Kay, I might not survive until tomorrow at this rate,” he joked, hurrying after Hayden.
I couldn’t help but smirk, my sour mood–lifted a bit.
When I got home, I immediately called Steve on video.
As the screen connected, I heard Jace in the background. “Steve, hurry up. Everyone’s waiting.”
“It’s Keira,” Steve said, and everything on his end went silent.
Steve’s yful smile faded into something more serious. His first words were, “I’ve heard
everything.”
I gave a small smile. “I’m fine, really. Back at work, everything’s normal.”
“It’s my fault. I put you through this,” Steve said, guilt heavy in his voice.
“If you say that, you’re treating me like a stranger.” I paused, then added, “Congrats on clearing
your name.
Steve went quiet for a second. “I owe that to Hayden. When I’m back, dinner’s on me, for both of
you.”
Jace clearly hadn’t mentioned my breakup with Hayden, and I wasn’t about to bring it up. Steve
already felt bad enough, and knowing that part of the reason I broke things off was because of
everything surrounding him would just make it worse.
“Deal. But I’m picking the spot. We’re doing Seavora–only the best,” I said, keeping it light. The
more casual I was, the less guilty he’d feel.
Steve nodded, studying me through the screen. “How are you really? Any lingering pain?
“No, none. I’m eating, drinking, working full days,” I replied. But I caught his eyes flick to the side–he
was looking at Jace.
With a little exasperation, Steve added, “You’re rushing back to work too soon. Why don’t you take
more
time off? If you’re worried about money, I’ll cover it.”
I raised a brow. “Money? Seriously?”
Steve chuckled, then gave me a yful scolding. “You’re not short on cash, so why overwork
yourself?”
Knowing Jace could hear, I smiled. “Because there’s someone at work I want to see.”
Steve’s gaze darted to the side again, then he nodded, catching on. “Ah, the power of love. Looks
like Hayden’s got you wrapped around his finger.”
“More like he’s just seriouslymitted to me,” I said, making sure Jace got the message loud and
clear. No matter what Hayden and I were dealing with, I didn’t want anyone thinking they had a shot
or could twist the situation.
“Got it, got it. Even through a screen, you’re still making me gag with all this sweetness,” Steve said,
grinning.
Despite everything, he seemed in good spirits, not too weighed down by recent events.
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“Are you still nning topete?” I asked, steering the convo to something more serious. For
Steve, his career was everything.
He hesitated for a second. “Yes.”
That one word was firm, but I could hear a bit of doubt.
I knew how much thought he’d put into that decision. After everything he’d been through, there were
still people out there trying to stop him. If they’d gone that far before, who’s to say they wouldn’t try
again?
“I’ll be there for your next match,” I promised, my voice steady.