The thought hit me out of nowhere. ‘I want a child like that.”


    I drove away from Desmond’s parents‘ ce and back to work. On the way, I tried calling Demi–


    straight to


    voicemail.


    Têxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Wayne’s info had to be solid, so if she wasn’t picking up, it was because she was avoiding me.


    Frustrated, I


    shot her a text:


    [Demi, if you still consider me a friend, pick up my call.]


    Nothing. No reply. Not even a tead receipt. Just silence.


    Guess I’d have to track her down myself.


    ***


    Technically, I was still on the clock, but my boss wasn’t exactly strict. Without hesitation, I booked a


    flight to Lindale. Just as I confirmed the ticket, Ron walked in, water ss in hand.


    “You’ve been way too chilltely,” he said, plopping into the chair across from me.


    I didn’t need a crystal ball to know what he meant. He’d probably seen thetest headlines about


    me. “What? Here to pile on more work?” I deadpanned.


    “Obviously,” he shot back. “If I don’t, you’ll just cause more chaos. And if things go south again, I


    swear Hayden will rise from the grave to haunt me.”


    “He wouldn’t,” I said lightly, but my mind drifted. The amusement park, the lights, that feeling that


    wouldn’t leave me–Hayden wasn’t dead. He was out there, pulling strings. I could feel it.


    “Doesn’t matter if he would or not,” Ron continued. “You’re followingpany policies now, starting


    today. Screw up, and there’ll be consequences.”


    “Fines? Go for it,” I shrugged. Money wasn’t exactly my problem.


    Lena always joked I was a “three–no” person–no parents, no kids, no husband. If I died tomorrow,


    my fortune would just vanish into thin air.


    Might as well spend it while I was alive, right?


    “Be serious,” Ron snapped.


    “I am,” I nodded. “Fine me, I’ll pay. Noints. But heads up–I need tomorrow off. And the next


    day.”


    “Denied!” he barked, trying to y boss for once,


    I didn’t flinch. I just held up my phone with the flight confirmation on disy. “Tickets are booked, so


    you can either cover for me or I quit. Your choice.”


    Ron froze. After a pause, he sighed. “You’re absolutely insane. Fearless. Completely out of control.”


    “Obviously, I’ve got more money than I can burn, and I’m not here for the paycheck,” I said with a


    smug grin, fully aware that a line like that could make anyone want to flip a desk. But hey, I wasn’t


    wrong.


    25 BOAS


    I wasn’t working here for the money. This ce mattered to me because it had been Hayden’s–still


    buzzing with memories of us.


    “Fine,” Ron threw up his hands. “You win. But this is thest time. Don’t even think about making


    this a habit.” He shook his head as he muttered, “Even if my grandma showed up, she wouldn’t get


    this kind of treatment.”


    That made meugh. “Thanks, grandson. You’re making Grandma so proud right now.”


    “You-”


    Then, we both cracked up, and for the first time in forever, I felt like I was genuinelyughing.


    Then Ron’s tone shifted. He traced the rim of his ss awkwardly before blurting out, “By the way…


    last night… did you really–uh, you know?”


    I raised a brow, pretending not to follow. “Really what?”


    He cleared his throat. “The whole… hotel thing. You weren’t seriously hanging out with those guys,


    right? Keira, if you’re going to find someone, at least aim higher.”


    The way he squirmed gave him away–someone had definitely put him up to this.


    I titled my head. “Wow, you seem super invested in my love life. Any reason why?”


    He avoided my gaze and gulped his water like it was his only lifeline.


    I leaned in, studying him. “Hold up. Don’t tell me…” I paused for dramatic effect. “You’re into me


    too, huh?”


    And that was it.


    PFFT-


    Ron choked, sputtering water straight onto my face.