Chapter 300

The scene was as awkward as expected, except for Hayden. "Just a moment," he said calmly, carrying me to the couch as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He didn't rush. Instead, he took his time, wiping my hands with a wet wipe. "Eat first. The soup's a little hot, so take it slow."

Wayne hovered awkwardly at the door, unsure whether to enter or flee. Even I felt the tension. "I can manage, thanks," I said, hoping Hayden would take the hint and see what Wayne needed.

Before leaving, Hayden opened all the food containers and carefully placed the utensils in front of me, a gesture that seemed almost pointedly directed at Wayne, who stood watching from the doorway. I couldn't imagine how much it must have hurt him, considering his feelings for me.

"What did you want to talk about?" Hayden asked, approaching the door.

Wayne stepped outside, and they spoke in hushed tones, too low for me to hear. Hayden returned three minutes later, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever.

Unable to gauge his reaction, I asked, "What did Wayne want?" sipping my soup. "Nothing much," Hayden said dismissively. Then, perhaps realizing the vagueness, he added, "He was trying to recruit me."

I blinked in surprise. "Recruit you? For RiverwaveCorp? But Wayne's just an executive director now. Recruiting isn't his job—that's HR or someone higher up. Is he already vying for Jace's position?"

If so, what was the point of his earlier words to me? Was he testing me, or preparing me for something?

"He didn't say where. Just asked if I'd be interested," Hayden replied, sitting down.

I absentmindedly stirred my soup. "And what did you say?"

"Not interested," he said bluntly, without hesitation. So direct. So unapologetically straightforward.

I laughed. He glanced at me. "What's so funny?"

"I'm laughing at how direct you are. It's kind of adorable," I teased.

Hayden's ears turned red as he handed me a cornmeal pancake. "That's not exactly how you compliment a guy."

25 BONUS

"How should I compliment you then?" I teased, grinning. "Isn't calling you adorable a compliment?"

Hayden swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing. "You can compliment me, but no one else can."

I blinked, momentarily surprised, before understanding. He handed me the pancake, and as I reached for it, our fingers brushed. The tiny spark between us was undeniable. "Hayden, you're a bit possessive, you know that?"

He didn't hesitate. "Yeah, but only when it comes to you."

He was quite the smooth talker, always ready with a romantic line to catch me off guard.

I took a bite of the pancake. It was soft and slightly sweet, delicious, yet different from my mother's. Nothing ever compares, and now that she was gone, I'd never have her pancakes again.

"Is it good?" Hayden asked.

I nodded, stifling my emotions.

We continued eating, making light conversation. By the time we finished, the heaviness of my grief had lessened, replaced by a strange peace in his presence.

"Hayden, let's go home," I said softly.

He looked at me. "Are you sure you're up for it?"

"I'm fine, and I don't want to stay here," I insisted, perhaps sounding a bit petulant.

"Alright, we'll leave as soon as you're done eating," Hayden agreed, indulging me.

I smiled, and he raised an eyebrow. "Don't smile while you're eating, or you'll choke."

"Oh, so I shouldn't talk either?" I teased.

"In principle, yes," he said, his tone almost too serious, a reminder of his military past.

I smirked, pushing his buttons. "If you're so principled, why don't you try to control me more?"