I held my breath, meeting his gaze. Hayden was looking right at me, steady and unhesitating.


    He was always so direct, so open. Meanwhile, I was the one who felt unsettled, like the breakup


    had somehow been my fault.


    “Well, speak of the devil. Hayden, we were just talking about you,” Ron said, ever the


    troublemaker.


    Hayden nodded, standing there with that perfect posture of his, not saying a word.


    “Aren’t you curious what we were saying?” Ron pressed, clearly trying to stir the pot.


    Ron couldn’t resist pushing boundaries; it was practically his hobby.


    Hayden stayed silent, so Ron scratched his nose. “We were saying you’ve lost weight, and that


    you…”


    He trailed off, then winked at me. “Ms. Kay, let’s keep the rest a secret from him.”


    I almostughed, a small smile sneaking its way to my lips.


    Hayden happened to nce over just then, but I quickly looked away.


    He might not want me anymore, but that didn’t mean I’d let him think I couldn’t live without him.


    At lunch, I finally got a call from Sasha. I’d been meaning to check in, but I didn’t want to interrupt


    her if she was with Thorsten.


    “How’re you holding up?” I asked the moment I picked up.


    “Got through today without a hitch,” Sasha replied, sounding rxed.


    I didn’t ask for details. She’d spent years by Thorsten’s side, hiding her resentment, even bearing


    him a daughter. She could handle anything.


    Thinking back to when we’d first met, I’d written her off as just another pretty face. That assumption


    felt pretty ridiculous now.


    “So,” I said, sensing there was more, “was there another reason you’re calling?”


    “I found the person you were looking for,” Sasha said, catching me off guard. “Just wanted to know


    if you want to meet them in person.”


    I’d expected this to take weeks. The speed was unexpected–and thrilling.


    “If it’s possible, I’d love to meet them myself,” I replied, excitement bubbling up.


    “I’ll send you the address. Juste by,” Sasha said, then hung up and texted me the location.


    Only problem? The ce was pretty far, and my car was still in the shop from a fender bender.


    Taking a cab felt impractical, so I went to find Ron. “Mr. Shane, my car’s out for repairs. I need to


    head out. for some personal business–think I could borrow apany car?”


    ‘Don’t ask. Just take one,” Ron said, as generous as ever.


    “Thank you!” I turned to leave, but he stopped me.


    “You mentioned an ident–are you alright?” he asked, sounding concerned.


    “Yeah, I just got distracted and bumped into someone, Insurance has it handled.”


    “As long as you’re okay. Go on, take the car.” He opened a drawer and pulled out an invitation,


    handing it


    to me.


    I skimmed it and got his drift right away. “You want me to attend this reception on Friday?”


    “Yeah. Are you free?” he asked, eyeing me closely.


    “I mean, technically, yes, but I don’t really see the point, I said, setting the invitation back on his


    desk.


    Ron raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”


    I gave him a polite smile. “The partnership between the Hart family and the Johnstons doesn’t have


    anything to do with me.”


    “Of course it does. This coboration is based on Hayden’s new project–a huge aplishment for


    ourpany. As part of management, you should be there, Ron pressed, never one to back down


    easily.


    But I shook my head. “Should doesn’t mean must. Let’s just say I’m busy that night.”


    I turned and headed for the door. Ron called after me, but I kept moving. Just as I was opening the


    door, he asked, “So, where are you going with the car?”


    I couldn’t help myself. “I have a date.”


    With that, I smiled, shut the door, and turned around–only to find Hayden standing just a step away,


    his eyes fixed on me, intense as ever.


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