Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right
Hello 284

Chapter 204

Chapter 284

He looked a little nervous.

So, he's feeling guilty, huh?

I guess no guy's ever really chill when another guy's in the picture. Seeing Hayden all nervous-it was kinda funny. He almost never looks like this. But I kept my face serious on purpose.

I stood there, staring at him, not saving a word.

Hayden's lips moved, like he wanted to say something, but he held back, unsure if he should.

This usually straightforward guy, hesitating like a kid who's been caught doing something wrong.

I couldn't hold it in anymore and started laughing

My laughter only confused him more. "Kiki..."

I took the cup of milk he made and stood on my tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek. "Thanks."

Then I turned to leave, tossing over my shoulder, "Grab my bag."

Hayden followed me all the way downstairs, looking way more relaxed now.

When we got to the car, I switched things up and didn't head for the driver's seat. Instead, I walked over to the passenger side.

I threw the keys to Hayden. "You're driving."

He hopped into the driver's seat while I settled into the passenger side, sipping the milk he'd given me

and scrolling through my playlist, feeling more chill and content than I'd felt in ages.

Just as we were getting close to the office, Hayden pulled over at a bus stop.

"What are you doing?" I asked, glancing over at him.

"You said we should keep things on the down-low at work, right? I'll hop out here so no one sees us together and starts gossiping."

Oh, right. I'd almost forgotten about that.

Shouldn't he have forgotten about it too?

But no, of course he had to bring it up.

What did that even mean?

I thought back to the way the girls at the office had swooned over him after he shut down Brad's nonsense, and this weird feeling bubbled up inside me

"Are you worried that being seen with me will mess up your chances with the ladies at work?" I asked, my voice a little sharper than I intended.

No, Kiki, that's not it!" Hayden said immediately.

I reached over to unbuckle his seatbelt. "Just go, then

Chapter 284

#25 BONUS

Hayden grabbed my hand, stopping me. "Kiki, come on. Don't be like this."

I knew I was being ridiculous. I'd told him to keep his distance at work, and now that he was listening. I was mad about it. Typical..

Women can be so complicated sometimes. Even I had to admit that.

"Look, I don't care about anyone else. Just you," Hayden said softly, gently pushing my hand away. Then he started the car again, heading toward the office.

I stayed quiet the whole drive, stewing in my own feelings. When we pulled up and I got out, I threw one last line at him, mostly to save face. "Mr. Hart, we're just coworkers, remember?"

He gave me this helpless smile. "Got it."

One of his best qualities-he always knew when I was just messing around and when to take me seriously. He never got mad over the little things.

Jace was the total opposite. Back when we were together, I hardly ever joked because he could never tell when I was kidding. Even if he knew I was joking, he'd overthink everything, acting like I meant something deeper. It was exhausting Eventually, I just stopped trying to be playful around him.

Now, I kept replaceing myself comparing him to Hayden, and I couldn't even help it. I mean, they'd both been such a huge part of my life.

But, as they say, comparison's the thief of joy, right?

Thinking about Hayden and Jace, I finally realized just how different guys could be. Even being in love felt like two completely separate experiences.

""Morning, Mr. Hart!"

"Morning, Ms. Kay!"

Hayden and I stepped out of the elevator together, and our coworkers threw out their usual greetings. We both nodded and said, "Good morning," in that polite, professional way, then went our separate ways to our own offices. Business as usual, I mean, who says you can't date a coworker? As long as you keep it chill at work, what's the big deal?

After wrapping up a morning meeting with my team, Ron popped into my office. "Hey, Ms. Kay, can you finish up your current tasks?"

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