“Yeah, no thanks–wouldn’t work with you even if you paid back.


    me,” I shot


    By the time Wayne strolled out, I was already leaning against my car, waiting. He’d saved me from


    that trainwreck of a meeting, and I wasn’t about to ball without a proper thanks.


    “Waiting to say thank you?” Wayne smirked, all smug.


    I grinned. “If you hadn’t stepped in, I’d probably be in the hospital right now.”


    “Doubt it,” he replied with azy grin. “That kick you threw? Brutal. Even if his intestines aren’t in a


    pretzel, he’s feeling it.”


    Iughed, remembering my infamous “Flying Legs” days back in school when I had a reputation for


    taking down jerks with a single kick.


    “Guess your skills haven’t dulled,” Wayne said, amused.


    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    I wasn’t in the mood for a trip down memoryne, though, so I switched it up. “Didn’t expect you to


    be working with thispany too


    Jace actually set it up awhile back. I’m just here for a site check,” Wayne said, shrugging.


    I just chuckled, letting the conversation drift.


    “You seem chipper today. Probably that superfood breakfast I sent over,” he added with a smirk.


    My smile stiffened. If he knew I hadn’t even touched it, he’d be ticked.


    Thanks, but you don’t need to do that again,” I said, firm but light. I wasn’t trying to get into a daily


    breakfast routine with him.


    Wayne caught on fast. “Today was a one–time deal. If it was every day, I’d have to start charging.”


    “Pretty sure I couldn’t afford that rate,” I joked. “Anyway, Wayne, I’ve got work. Gotta go.”


    “Hold up.” Wayne nced at his watch. “Jace’s flightnds in two hours. Why note home with


    me? We can all do dinner together.”


    Yeah, no thanks.


    Even if everyone else was chill, I’d still feel awkward.


    “Nah, I’m drowning in work. I’ll swing by to see your parents some other time,” I said.


    Wayne gave me a faint smile but didn’t push it. Just then, Demi came jogging over, a little out of


    breath, holding a phone. “Mr. Wayne, Keira.”


    She grinned, holding it out to me. “Keira, it’s the newest model.”


    Great. I shot Wayne a look, and he just shrugged. “You’re not seriously gonna turn down a phone,


    are you? You need one.”


    Demi reached out. “C’mon, hand over your broken one. I’ll get the SIM switched and set it up.”


    I ignored her, focusing on Wayne. “Wayne, I’ve got a backup. Don’t need this.”


    +26 BONUS


    A sh of something crossed his eyes, but he didn’t argue. “Put it away, Demi,” he said.


    Demi shot me a look that screamed, ‘Are you kidding me?’


    Sensing the distance I was keeping, Wayne made an excuse and left. Demi, though, clung to my


    arm. Keira, it’s been forever! I missed youe on, hang out with me today.”


    She’d already gotten time off, so I figured, why not?


    We grabbed dinner, hit up a movie, and even got a full–body spa treatment before stopping forte–


    night snacks.


    By the time I got home, it was nearly midnight. What I didn’t expect? Hayden standing at my door.


    He’d broken up with me, so why show up in the middle of the night? I had zero–clue.


    But from the look on his face, he definitely wasn’t here for a reunion.


    The moment I saw him, my blood started to boil.


    “Waiting out here sote… Did you leave something behind?” I said, dripping with sarcasm.


    Hayden didn’t answer right away, just stared at me with this intense look that was way too serious.


    After a beat, he stepped forward, closing the distance in one stride, his voice low and dead


    serious.


    “Are you pregnant?”