Chapter 108

A lollipop as a reward? Does he think I'm five? I was about to call Hayden out on its childishness, but before I could, he placed the candy in my hand, grabbed his water, and even fetched my bottle. He sat on the bench, patting the space beside him. "Take a break."

Did I really need one? I hadn't done much besides manage drama. But since Hayden was already settled, I sat down. Without him, I couldn't accomplish anything 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 to look at him. He nodded. "Really."

Seeing this tall, strong, no-nonsense military man react that way caught me off guard. It was so unlike him that, impulsively, I blurted out, "How old are you?" I intended it as a tease—'You're acting like a kid.'

He answered seriously, "I already told you."

Huh?

Momentarily confused, I realized he added, "During our first date."

Oh…

"Thirty-one," he said, as if filling in the blanks.

I was speechless. Conversations with him always seemed to operate on different wavelengths.

After a few more sips of water, he mentioned, "Macy called. 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 mentioned Macy since arriving. It made sense; I hadn't asked, as every memory of Macy involved her trying to set me up with him. Bringing her up now would only make things awkward.

Since he'd 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. I looked at him, but he didn't meet my gaze. Instead, he tilted his head back to drink his water. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed, and I found myself mirroring him before quickly looking away, embarrassed.

"I'll visit her on my own. We don't have to go together," I mumbled.

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

"I like being alone," 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 distance, even if we kept finding ourselves in close proximity, like earlier on the scissor lift.

That reminded me. I glanced 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 could control the amusement park's lighting system, so messing with the lift wouldn't be difficult. Plus, I hadn't moved, and there was no wind. The lift shouldn't have wobbled like that.

"Do you think it was me? Why would I do that?" Hayden's questions left me speechless. Yeah, why would he?

Was it to make me jump into his arms out of fear? Considering that, and his apparent interest in me, it suddenly didn't seem so far-fetched.

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