Chapter 63

I worried Demi would create awkwardness between Hayden and me. Hayden's earlier aloofness made it clear he wanted to avoid any connection.

"I don't know him," I lied.

"Then how do you—" Demi began, but I interrupted.

"I'm just guessing."

Demi barely touched her food, completely captivated by Hayden. Normally, she devoured her favorite chicken chop, but a handsome guy diminished even that appeal.

"Guess?" Demi, a relentless investigator, pressed. "How did you guess? Did Mr. Hart advertise it?"

That was difficult, but I had to deflect her questioning. As I considered an excuse, I noticed a small, adorable white bunny charm on Hayden's bag.

"That," I indicated, "that's proof enough."

"That proves what?" she asked, bewildered.

"A grown man carrying a cute charm like that seems out of place," I explained, taking a sip of her overly sweet iced chocolate. "Next time, lemon water," I reminded her.

Demi, still focused on the charm, concluded, "His girlfriend must've put it there."

Relieved she understood, I stood, but Demi held me back. "Keira, maybe he just likes bunnies?"

I was speechless.

"I'll ask him later," Demi said as Hayden and Eugene returned. Perfect timing.

"Mr. Hart, your food's here," Demi said warmly, offering to open his takeout bag and even the cutlery. Hayden stopped her. "I can do it myself."

"I just—" Demi began, but he cut her off. "I have a bit of germaphobia."

I almost laughed. He ordered takeout, which had clearly been handled by others. If he truly had germaphobia, he wouldn't be eating it. He was simply dismissing Demi, clearly uninterested. But, intoxicated by his presence, she didn't notice. She offered the unopened cutlery with an "oh."

While unwrapping it, he glanced at my takeout box. I'd cleverly closed the lid. Still, he asked, "Did you finish eating?"

"Yes!" and "No!" Demi and I replied simultaneously. As soon as she said "no," she resumed eating her now-cold chicken chop.

I shook my head internally. Lust clouds judgment, indeed. Grabbing my takeout box, I overheard Demi's bold request: "Mr. Hart, the bunny charm is so cute. Can I have it?"

Her bluntness nearly made me stumble. Hayden's immediate refusal wasn't surprising. I sensed Demi's embarrassment, and even experienced it secondhand. Then Hayden declared, "I'm giving it to my girlfriend."