Chapter 74

Medicine truly is a lifesaver. After using the spray, the burning in my mouth finally subsided. By lunchtime, even drinking water wasn't torture. Still, I wasn't about to risk eating anything solid. Salt and spices? Absolutely not.

"Keira, how about we stick to porridge, maybe some eggs or a salad on the side?" Demi suggested, keeping things simple for me.

I knew how much she loved her meat. "I'll just have porridge. You can have whatever sides you want."

Demi was about to respond when Hayden strolled over. "Mind if I join you for lunch?" he asked.

Hearing a guy like him ask to join us for lunch felt so weird. I was on the verge of refusing—I was still feeling a little awkward after he'd helped me with the spray earlier. He didn't seem fazed, but I certainly was.

Before I could say anything, Demi—ever the fangirl—nodded eagerly. "Of course, Mr. Hart. What would you like to eat?"

"I'll..." Hayden glanced at me and continued, "have what Kay is having—porridge."

Demi's eyes practically popped out. "Just porridge? No sides?"

"Something light is fine, low salt, low oil," Hayden replied, pointing to his mouth. "I haven't been drinking much water lately either."

Fair point.

"You're overheated too, huh," Demi sighed, then muttered to herself, "Seems like I'm the only one not suffering. Does that mean I'm slacking off?"

In the end, we ordered three bowls of quinoa porridge, a serving of steamed zucchini, and a chicken salad.

"Mr. Hart, isn't that a bit too little food? Will it be enough for you?" Demi asked Hayden after placing the order.

"It's enough," Hayden replied curtly.

Over the past few days of working together, I'd noticed he was more a doer than a talker.

"Keira, maybe we should add a couple more sides. I mean, look at Mr. Hart's build. He doesn't seem like someone who eats so little," Demi suggested.

My mouth was still sore, and I wasn't in the mood for chitchat, so I gave a quick answer. "He's built with muscle, not fueled by meat."

As soon as I said that, I couldn't help but think back to the time I saw Hayden washing his hair in a tank top—those muscles were definitely something…

"Yeah, Mr. Hart really is all muscle. I just haven't had the chance to see for myself," Demi remarked, with that look in her eye that said she wouldn't mind seeing Hayden shirtless.

This little perv. I rolled my eyes. "Opportunities are made. Why don't you go ask him to take off his shirt right now so you can have a look?"

"Keira!" Demi blushed.

I thought that would shut her up, but nope, she kept going. "I think he might be into you."

I nearly choked on my own breath.

"Seriously, he looks at you differently. And he's always so hands-on with you," Demi teased, mimicking Hayden's chin-grabbing move.

I swatted her hand away. "Do you want to lose your bonus?"

"We're on lunch break," Demi countered.

"Maybe you should give it a shot with Mr. Hart? It might even get under Mr. Johnston's skin, show him you've got options," Demi suggested, always full of ideas.

I chuckled. "I thought you had a crush on Mr. Hart?"

"But he's not into me," Demi admitted, fully aware of the situation. "Besides, apart from not being a CEO, he's better than Mr. Johnston in every other way."

Her taste wasn't half bad.

"If you're shy, I can play matchmaker for you two," Demi offered, growing bolder.

I couldn't help but laugh. First Macy tried to set me up with Hayden, and now Demi was at it too. Was there something about Hayden and me that made everyone think we were a perfect match?

"I'm going to ask him right now," Demi said, already half out of her seat.

I quickly grabbed her arm, pulling her back down. "Stay put, and let's drop this. There's no way that's happening between us."

"Why not?" Demi looked genuinely confused. "Don't you like him?"

Not wanting Demi to make things even more awkward between Hayden and me, I just hummed in agreement.

"But you're not the shallow type! The only thing Mr. Hart lacks compared to Mr. Johnston is a bit of money," Demi continued, still trying to convince me.