Chapter 411

I didn’t even have to say no to Jace—someone else was already waiting for me. Hayden stood by a sleek black motorcycle, rocking a black T-shirt and cargo pants, looking effortlessly cool. It was the first time I’d seen Hayden like this. And, okay, I wasn’t blind. The whole bad-boy vibe? Yeah, Jace used to nail that, too. All cocky, like he owned the world or something.

I still remember the way my heart would practically sprint every time I hopped on the back of Jace’s bike, arms wrapped tight around his waist, the wind whipping past us as we tore through the night.

“You’re still into motorcycles?” Jace’s voice pulled me out of the memory, and it had that same old edge, like he was daring me to answer.

I just gave him a small smile and didn’t bother responding. Instead, I walked straight to Hayden.

Hayden spotted me and started making his way over. But before he could get close, someone else swooped in.

Of course. Kylian. My big boss, stepping out of some fancy car. He was wearing a button-up that barely covered his growing belly. Standing next to Hayden, he looked almost comically tiny, like Hayden was about to give him a lecture or something.

I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but I saw Kylian glance my way before giving Hayden a nod.

Hayden started walking toward me. I wasn’t sure if he even noticed Jace, but his eyes stayed locked on mine, every step confident. There was this whole boyfriend-material vibe about him.

“Been waiting long?” I asked, still standing on the steps while he stayed on the ground, bringing us eye to eye.

“Just a bit,” Hayden replied, his gaze never wavering. He never broke eye contact when he talked to me. They say you can tell if someone’s telling the truth by looking into their eyes. Well, Hayden’s eyes? Unshakable.

“Let’s go,” he said, slipping his hand into mine.

Right then, Kylian walked past us, giving a quick nod as he went by. I gave him a polite smile before Hayden and I headed toward the bike. He handed me a helmet.

“Why the bike?” I asked.

“Way less hassle.” His answer was straightforward. Made sense. Cars were always stuck in traffic, but with a bike? Total freedom.

Chapter 411

He gently strapped the helmet on me, his fingers brushing my skin. Then he put on his own. The all-black look with the helmet? He straight-up looked like a dark knight.

“You wanna sit in front or back?” he asked.

Wait, what? Sit in front? Since when is that an option? Whenever I rode with Jace, I was always behind him, holding on tight.

“Uh, I’ve never sat in front before,” I admitted.

“First time for everything,” he said, before lifting me up effortlessly and settling me in front of him. He hopped on behind me, so close I could feel his chest against my back, his cheek brushing mine as he leaned in. His voice, low and calm, murmured, “Lean forward, grab the handlebars…”

Before I knew it, I was the one holding onto the bike, like I was actually in control. Hayden reached around me, revving the engine, and the bike roared to life. The wind hit us as we sped off, the city lights blending into a blur.

As we zipped down the street, I glanced back and caught a glimpse of Jace, still standing on the steps, eyes locked on me until I disappeared into the night.