Chapter 263
+25 BONUS
I watched him, his face all flushed, a couple of beads of sweat on his nose. I couldn’t help but smile.
He turned away, clearly trying to recover, so I focused back on the road, deciding not to push my luck.
The whole “hard” thing had left us both too stunned to speak.
After a few awkward minutes, I remembered what he said about spending time together and decided to break the silence. “So, where do you wanna go?”
“Do you have plans this afternoon?” Hayden asked.
“Nope!” I answered way too fast, sounding like I was way too excited or something.
Hayden’s serious look melted into a smile. “Cool. I’ve got somewhere I wanna take you.”
I decided to stay quiet this time, trying to play it cool.
“I’ll set the navigation. Just follow it,” he said, like I’d already agreed.
We ended up on the outskirts of town, in this remote area with nothing but overgrown grass and a shimmering in the distance.
“What are we doing here? Thinking of clearing some land and starting a farm?” I joked.
Hayden looked around and, to my surprise, said, “Yeah.
I laughed. “You should probably stick to playing with your wires and making that million–dollar salary.”
He just smirked and started walking. I followed him, but after a few steps, something small and fast darted through the grass. I let out a scream, “Ah-!”
Hayden turned around instantly, rushing back toward me.
Before I knew it, I was launching myself at him, arms around his neck, legs wrapped around his waist.
Back in school, I could barely clear the high jump, but this was a perfect 10. I latched onto him like a koala, no way I was letting go.
Hayden caught me, his hands supporting my waist. “What happened?” he asked.
“A snake! There’s a snake!” I yelped, my voice shaking.
I wasn’t even sure if I’d actually seen a snake, but that’s what my gut was telling me.
And seriously, what else could be slithering around in this wild, overgrown field?
I was terrified of those creepy things. I mean, even a caterpillar could send me running.
Hayden held me steady and started walking away from the grassy area. “My bad.”
He didn’t say what exactly he was apologizing for, but he kept carrying me until we reached the lakeside.
+ was still in shock, clinging to him like my life depended on it, until he asked, “Wanna dip your toes in the
water?”
That’s when I realized I was practically strangling him, my arms wrapped around his neck so tight they’d
t
+25 BONUS
left red marks.
I quickly let go and slid down from him, my face burning with embarrassment. “Sorry,” I mumbled, then hurried over to the edge of the lake, trying to pretend I wasn’t totally mortified.
Hayden followed me closely. “Yuna said you wanted a paradise like hers.”
“Yeah, with mountains and water, a little garden with flowers…” I trailed off, suddenly realizing what he meant. I spun around to look at the barren land behind us. “Hayden, don’t tell me you’re planning to-”
Before I could finish, he nodded. “When we get married, I’ll turn this into your own hidden paradise.”
I stared at him, completely stunned. I never imagined he’d be thinking so far ahead.
“Do you want it?” Hayden asked.
“Yes!” I blurted out, not even thinking.
Hayden’s face broke into a smile. “Alright.”
He turned back to the empty field, like he was already picturing how to build our home there.
Our home?
The thought hit me like a truck, and I froze.
Wait… did he just propose to me?
And did I just… accept?
“Hayden, you’re pretty sneaky,” I said.
He just smiled and kept walking.
I tried to catch up, but he suddenly broke into a run.
The faster he ran, the more determined I was to catch him. But before I knew it, he stopped short, and as I reached him, ready to smack his arm, he scooped me up.
The next thing I knew, the world spun around me.
“Honey,” Hayden whispered, his hands steady on my waist as he twirled us in circles. His soft, low voice sent a shiver down my spine, his words echoing in my ear.
