Chapter 230 

I’d definitely put Ron in a tough spot. 

But I was also trying to figure out who the mysterious boss was. 

Even though deep down I didn’t think it could be Hayden–he always seemed way too broke to be loaded- something about Ron’s hints made me wonder if Hayden had more in common with this boss than I thought. 

I didn’t have much going on that afternoon, so after a meeting, I opened my social media app. 

I checked my new friend request from Cole. Our chat was empty except for the notification saying we were now friends–no messages at all. 

He’d definitely seen that I accepted, but he hadn’t replied. 

It was obvious he was ignoring me on purpose, his way of getting back at me for not accepting his request last night.. 

This guy seriously held grudges. It was clear, even over something so small, that he was the type 

revenge. 

I guess that’s why both Hayden and Jace had warned me to stay away from him. 

to 

plot 

But it was too late, we’d already crossed paths. Pretending I didn’t know him wasn’t an option anymore. 

Even if Cole was acting all cool and distant now, he had something up his sleeve. I didn’t need to do anything–just keep my cool and wait for his next move. 

By five, I was on my way back home. 

Around this time, most of the neighbors were either out playing with their kids or hanging out, not quite busy with dinner yet. 

“Keira, you’re back?” 

Mrs. Lowrey, my downstairs neighbor, waved at me with a big smile. We’d gotten pretty chummy over time. 

“Yeah, Mrs. Lowrey. Not cooking yet?” I asked, making small talk. 

It might seem pointless, but these little chats really brought people closer. 

“I just got back from grocery shopping,” she said, holding up her bags. “Haven’t started yet. Sigh, I’m not as lucky as you, with such a wonderful boyfriend who cooks,” she added, nodding toward my place upstairs 

So, Hayden was home already. 

I headed upstairs and knocked on Hayden’s door. His voice called out from inside, “It’s open.” 

I pushed the door open a bit, and the delicious smell of food hit me, making my stomach growl–it definitely noticed I’d skipped lunch. 

The kitchen fan was going. I walked over and leaned against the doorway. “Whatever you’re cooking 

+25 BONUS 

Chapter 230 

smells amazing. Even Mrs. Lowrey downstairs is jealous.” 

Hayden glanced over his shoulder at me. “Go wash your hands. There’s fresh watermelon juice in the fridge.” 

It was like he had a camera in my brain. He knew me too well. 

On 

my way home, I’d passed by a watermelon vendor and really wanted some. Now, here he was, telling me he’d already made juice. 

“Hayden, are you trying to win me over with good looks and good food?” I teased. 

He didn’t answer. I shrugged, went to wash my hands, and then headed to the kitchen to grab the watermelon juice from the fridge. 

The kitchen in this old apartment was tiny. To get to the fridge, I had to squeeze past Hayden, who was busy chopping veggies. 

“Can you move a little? I need to grab something,” I said, motioning for him to scoot over. 

He shifted closer to the stove, and I carefully squeezed by, opening the fridge to grab the juice. Just as I was about to step back, his phone started buzzing in his pocket. 

“Can you get that for me?” Hayden asked casually. 

I didn’t think twice as I reached into his pocket, but the second my fingers brushed against the fabric, Hayden’s whole body went rigid. 

The warmth of his skin burned through the thin material, and I hesitated, my fingers faltering. 

When I tried to pull back, he stiffened even more. 

The weird sensation made me clumsy, and using my left hand wasn’t helping–it was nowhere near as coordinated as my right. The phone, as if mocking me, stayed stuck in his pocket. 

The ringtone kept blaring, and with the heat from the stove, I could feel sweat starting to bead on my neck. 

וויוי 

‘T’ll get it,” Hayden said, noticing my struggle. He wiped his hands quickly and reached down. But just as he did, I managed to grip the phone, and his hand covered mine. 

In the cramped kitchen, our bodies were already practically pressed together. Now, with his hand over mine, the closeness made my whole body flush with heat. 

Today’s Bonus Offer