Chapter 489

“Yeah, no thanks—wouldn’t work with you even if you paid me back,” I shot back.

By the time Wayne strolled out, I was already leaning against my car, waiting. He’d saved me from that trainwreck of a meeting, and I wasn’t about to leave without a proper thank you.

“Waiting to say thank you?” Wayne smirked, all smug.

I grinned. “If you hadn’t stepped in, I’d probably be in the hospital right now.”

“Doubt it,” he replied with a lazy grin. “That kick you threw? Brutal. Even if his intestines aren’t in a pretzel, he’s feeling it.”

I laughed, remembering my infamous “Flying Legs” days back in school when I had a reputation for taking down jerks with a single kick.

“Guess your skills haven’t dulled,” Wayne said, amused.

I wasn’t in the mood for a trip down memory lane, though, so I switched it up. “Didn’t expect you to be working with this company, too.”

“Jace actually set it up a while back. I’m just here for a site check,” Wayne said, shrugging.

I just chuckled, letting the conversation drift.

“You seem chipper today. Probably that superfood breakfast I sent over,” he added with a smirk.

My smile stiffened. If he knew I hadn’t even touched it, he’d be ticked.

“Thanks, but you don’t need to do that again,” I said, firm but light. I wasn’t trying to get into a daily breakfast routine with him.

Wayne caught on fast. “Today was a one-time deal. If it was every day, I’d have to start charging.”

“Pretty sure I couldn’t afford that rate,” I joked. “Anyway, Wayne, I’ve got work. Gotta go.”

“Hold up.” Wayne glanced at his watch. “Jace’s flight lands in two hours. Why not come home with me? We can all have dinner together.”

“Yeah, no thanks.” Even if everyone else was chill, I’d still feel awkward.

“Nah, I’m drowning in work. I’ll swing by to see your parents some other time,” I said.

Wayne gave me a faint smile but didn’t push it. Just then, Demi came jogging over, a little out of breath, holding a phone. “Mr. Wayne, Keira.”

She grinned, holding it out to me. “Keira, it’s the newest model.”

Great. I shot Wayne a look, and he just shrugged. “You’re not seriously going to turn down a phone, are you? You need one.”

Demi reached out. “C’mon, hand over your broken one. I’ll get the SIM switched and set it up.”

I ignored her, focusing on Wayne. “Wayne, I’ve got a backup. Don’t need this.”

A flash of something crossed his eyes, but he didn’t argue. “Put it away, Demi,” he said.

Demi shot me a look that screamed, ‘Are you kidding me?’

Sensing the distance I was keeping, Wayne made an excuse and left. Demi, though, clung to my arm. “Keira, it’s been forever! I missed you—come on, hang out with me today.”

She’d already gotten time off, so I figured, why not?

We grabbed dinner, hit up a movie, and even got a full-body spa treatment before stopping for late-night snacks.

By the time I got home, it was nearly midnight. What I didn’t expect? Hayden standing at my door.

He’d broken up with me, so why show up in the middle of the night? I had zero clue. But from the look on his face, he definitely wasn’t here for a reunion.

The moment I saw him, my blood started to boil.

“Waiting out here so late… Did you leave something behind?” I said, dripping with sarcasm.

Hayden didn’t answer right away, just stared at me with this intense look that was way too serious. After a beat, he stepped forward, closing the distance in one stride, his voice low and dead serious.

“Are you pregnant?”