Chapter 154

As I paid for my purchase, my phone buzzed. It was Hayden, returning my call. "Sorry, I was busy earlier and just saw your message," he explained.

"Yeah, I figured. Are you free now?" I asked.

"What time?" he replied.

I paused, considering. If we went at six, we'd arrive during dinner, and Matthew and Lindsey would likely invite us to stay. I wouldn't mind, but Hayden might feel uncomfortable.

"Seven-thirty," I finally said. By then, the Johnstons would have finished dinner, making it less awkward.

"Alright, I'll pick you up at seven. Sound good?" Hayden offered.

I laughed. "How are you planning to pick me up? Ride a shared bike?"

It was a joke, but his delayed response made me realize it hadn't landed well. "Wait, I didn't mean anything by that," I quickly said. "I'll pick you up instead."

"I'll be home half an hour early. We can leave together," Hayden replied, pausing before asking, "Do I need to bring any gifts?"

"No, I've already taken care of that," I said, and hung up. Looking up, I saw Tanya staring. No matter how much time passed, I sensed that familiar mix of envy—and perhaps jealousy—in her gaze.

There was nothing left to say, so I gathered my things and left. Instead of going straight home, I stopped at a men's clothing store. Bringing Hayden with me tonight, I couldn't have him arrive in his usual clothes. I wasn't sure what he owned, but since I was dragging him into this charade, buying him a nice outfit seemed the least I could do.

By six, I ate a quick dinner and waited for Hayden. But instead of him, my phone lit up with a call from Demi. "Keira, do you have time tonight? I really want to catch up."

"What's up? We can talk now if it's quick. I'm headed to the Johnstons' later," I said frankly.

"Oh, seriously? That sucks," Demi sighed, sounding disappointed.

I took a bite of an apple. "I'll take you out for dinner another time, I promise."

"I don't care about dinner," she groaned. "I've been losing it the last few days. I didn't want to bother you, but if I don't vent, I'm going to explode."

I frowned. "What happened? Did Mr. Hart pull something again?"

"No, it's not him—it's that bitch, Tanya," Demi hissed, and I froze mid-bite.

I'd already encountered Tanya earlier, and now here was her name again. It seemed she was determined to ruin my day.

"What did she do this time?" I asked casually.

Then Demi launched into a rapid-fire account, as if she'd been holding it in forever. Tanya was acting like royalty because she was pregnant.

"You'd think she needs a palanquin, scared to take a single step lest the ground break beneath her," Demi exclaimed. "If she's that fragile, why not just stay in bed? Problem solved!"

I chuckled. "Gotta earn that baby formula money somehow."

"Please, she's just showing off! Making a huge deal out of nothing, trying to convince everyone she's carrying Mr. Johnston's future heir," Demi ranted. Her words slightly soured my apple.

"It's possible," I said calmly.

"Wait, you're serious?" Demi's voice shot across the phone. "If she's really carrying his kid, that means Mr. Johnston's been cheating on you this whole time! What a complete dirtbag!"

I couldn't swallow my bite of apple; I set it down, remaining silent.

"Keira, come on. I don't think that's actually happening," Demi continued, sounding uncertain. "If she was really pregnant with Mr. Johnston's baby, she'd be living large by now. But every time she sees you, she acts like she's walking on eggshells, all nervous and fake polite."

I had to give it to Demi—she somehow managed to roast Tanya and implicate me simultaneously.