Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right

Chapter 108

A lollipop as a reward? What, does he think I'm five?

I was just about to call Hayden out on how childish that was, but before I could say anything, he plopped the candy into my hand and grabbed some water, even bringing my water bottle over. He sat down on the bench and patted the spot next to him. "Take a break."

Did I really need a break? I hadn't done much except deal with drama. But since Hayden had already parked himself, I gave in and sat down too. Without him, I couldn't get anything done anyway. It hit me then-he was subtly taking charge.

"You were really fierce just now," Hayden commented.

I took a sip of water. "Was I?"

"Yeah, kinda scary," he said, making me turn my head to look at him.

He nodded. "Really."

For some reason, seeing him like this-a tall, strong, no-nonsense military guy-reacting that way caught me off guard. It was so out of character that before I knew it, I blurted out, "How old are you?" I meant it as a tease, like, 'You're acting like a kid.'

But he answered seriously, "I already told you."

Huh?

I was momentarily confused, and then he added, "During our first date."

Oh...

"Thirty-one," he said, like he was filling in the blanks for me.

I found myself at a loss for words. Conversations with him always seemed to be on different wavelengths.

I took a few more sips of water, and then he mentioned, "Macy called me. She heard we're working together and suggested I bring you back with me when we're done."

This was the first time Hayden had brought up Macy since he got here.

It made sense he hadn't mentioned her before-I hadn't asked either because every memory of Macy was her trying to set me up with Hayden. Bringing her up now would only make things awkward between us. Now that he mentioned her, I had to respond. I forced a smile. "Did you tell her you're planning to stay here long-term?"

"I'm playing it by ear," he replied, and I looked at him.

But Hayden didn't meet my gaze. Instead, he tilted his head back to drink his water. His Adam's apple moved as he swallowed, and I found myself doing the same before quickly looking away, embarrassed. "I'll visit her on my own. We don't have to go together," mumbled.

+25 BONUS

Chapter 108

"Why not together?" His hearing was annoyingly sharp.

"I like being on my own," I said, then added more pointedly, "I prefer solitude."

I said it deliberately. I had no intention of getting closer to him, so I needed to keep reminding him to maintain his distance.

Even if we kept finding ourselves in close proximity, like earlier on the scissor lift.

That reminded me. I glanced over at the lift. "Why did the lift start shaking like that?"

"Hmm?" He looked puzzled.

"It wasn't you, was it?" I asked directly.

He was the kind of guy who could control the entire amusement park's lighting system, so messing with the lift wouldn't be hard for him. Plus, I hadn't moved, and there wasn't any wind earlier. The lift shouldn't have suddenly wobbled like that. "Do you think it was me? Why would I do that?" Hayden's two questions left me without an answer. Yeah, why would he do that?

Was it just to make me jump into his arms out of fear?

When I thought about that, and his apparent interest in me, it suddenly didn't seem so far-fetched.

I stared into his eyes, searching for any hint of guilt. But he just put his water bottle down and said, "Let's go. Back to work."