Chapter 85
It was weird. I hadn’t blinked when dealing with that complicated lighting at the amusement park, but now? I felt like I was drowning.
“Don’t trust me? Hayden asked.
“It’s not that, just…” My eyes drifted over him–his shirt was covered in grime, and the cuffs of his pants. were soaked through.
Seeing him like that made guilt twist in my chest.
“I can handle it. Now hurry up,” he said, reaching out to pat my head. “Be good.”
A shiver ran down my spine.
Just recently, Wayne had done the same thing, but this was… different. Hayden’s touch was warm, sweet, almost like something I’d been craving without realizing it.
I couldn’t put my finger on it, but it was there–this strange mix of comfort and longing that made me feel like I was on the edge of something new.
His gaze was so soft, I had to look away. I practically sprinted out to get the supplies he needed. When I got back, he was already mopping up the water in the hallway.
The floor inside, which had been flooded just a little while ago, was now dry and spotless, scrubbed clean.
In the time it took me to grab the supplies, he hadn’t wasted a second.
As I stood there, taking in the pristine apartment, my nose started to tingle with emotion.
“I checked downstairs. No water damage, so you’re off the hook for paying for anyone else’s repairs,” Hayden said.
This man wasn’t just capable; he was thorough. My throat tightened, and I couldn’t find the words to respond.
Hayden went right back to fixing the pipes, his hands moving with the same easy confidence he’d had when adjusting the lights.
Leaning against the doorframe, I shot Hayden a smirk. Is there anything you can’t do?”
He didn’t even pause in his work. “Actually, yeah.”
“Like what?”
He glanced back at me. “Having a baby.”
The little cloud of sadness I’d been feeling vanished in an instant, and I burst out laughing. “Good thing you don’t need to worry about that. Just gotta know how to make it happen.”
“Trust me, that’s not an issue,” he replied smoothly.
Suddenly, I felt the heat rise to my cheeks. Why were we being so… suggestive?.
Trying to shake off the awkwardness, I quickly added, “Whoever ends up with you is gonna be seriously
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Chapter 85
lucky.”
Without missing a beat, he shot back, “So why don’t you marry me?”
His bluntness caught me off guard, and I dropped my gaze, feeling suddenly unsure.
After a moment, I finally managed to say, “I’m complicated, you know? Like, I’ve got an ex–fiancé and a bunch of close guy friends. You’ve never even had a relationship–you’re too good for me.”
He didn’t say anything. After watching him for a bit, I turned and headed out to the balcony, fiddling with the little potted plants I’d picked up.
A while later, I heard Hayden heading downstairs. Peeking out from the balcony, I saw him lying back under the sink, turning the valve.
Was it finally fixed?
I wandered into the kitchen and twisted the faucet.
Clear water streamed out, smooth as ever. The new faucet was perfect.
As I stood there, lost in thought, I suddenly felt a warmth at my back. Hayden’s arm slipped around me, pulling me close.
He leaned in, his breath tickling my ear as he turned off the water. “Ever heard of conserving water?”
I
My heart skipped a beat, and I instinctively tried to step away, but he didn’t let go.
“Hayden…” I muttered, raising my hand to push him off, but instead, my palm landed on solid muscle.
It was like touching something on fire, and the warmth spread through me fast…
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Chapter
