Chapter 76

The instruction to not wash our hands was directed at both Wayne and me. I was fine with it, but Wayne looked a little awkward.

“I won’t get sick from a little dirt,” I said, trying to lighten the mood. Hayden walked over, holding a pack of wet wipes. Wayne reached for them, but Hayden held on tight. So, I took the pack, gave Wayne a wipe, and then took one for myself.

“Rea, who’s this?” Wayne asked, eyeing Hayden with clear curiosity about his unfriendly demeanor.

“This is Hayden Hart, our lighting engineer,” I introduced him, feeling the weight of Hayden’s intense gaze. “And this is my friend, Wayne.”

“Nice to meet you,” Wayne said, extending his hand. Hayden only nodded. Before things could get awkward, Demi interjected, “Mr. Hart has a bit of a germaphobia.”

Wayne smiled faintly, withdrew his hand, and turned to me. “Let’s sit down and eat before the food gets cold.”

Demi licked her lips, eyeing the gnocchi. “Can I have one?”

“Of course,” Wayne said, politely offering some to Hayden. “Mr. Hart, would you like to try some?”

“I’ll stick with my porridge,” Hayden declined, already walking away.

Demi paused mid-bite, then looked at me with a smirk. “Keira, I think Mr. Hart has a serious stick up his butt.”

I gave her a thumbs-up. “You’re spot on.”

Wayne chuckled at our exchange. “Mr. Hart seems to have a bit of a temper.”

“Not usually. He’s usually cool and collected, though kind of distant. But today, he’s got a short fuse,” Demi said, her mouth full but still managing to speak.

Fortunately, our food arrived. After finishing the gnocchi and cucumber soup, I wasn’t hungry for anything else. I left the rest for Demi and Hayden.

Demi was eager to share the meal with Hayden, but he insisted she eat without him as he had to return to work. I found his dismissal of her amusing.

“You seem cheerful. I was worried you might be feeling down,” Wayne said, bringing my attention back to him.

“Why would I be down?” I asked, taking another bite of gnocchi and sipping my soup. I’m not the type to wallow in heartbreak. When I’m in love, that person is my whole world. But when it’s over, they’re nothing.”

Wayne nodded. “That’s the Rea I know.”

“How are your parents?” I asked cautiously. It was odd they hadn’t contacted me lately. Had they finally accepted that Jace and I were over? That didn’t seem like them.

Wayne gave me a small smile. “Do you think they’re doing okay?”

My fork froze. Wayne continued, “They still think you and Jace are just on a break. They’re convinced you’ll work it out, that you’re just cooling off and need some space.”

So that’s what was going on. The gnocchi suddenly tasted like cardboard. I forced it down and muttered, “They’re going to be disappointed.”

“Maybe, but they’ll get over it eventually. Don’t let it weigh on you,” Wayne said reassuringly.

I wasn’t stressed—just guilty. They’d treated me like their own child.

“They see you as their daughter. The idea of you not being around? That’s hard for them,” Wayne added softly.

“Daughters get married eventually. But even after that, they can always come home,” I replied.

When I looked up, Wayne was watching me. There was something in his eyes, a flicker of something deeper, as he smiled. “But if you married into my family, you’d be home for good.”

Yeah, that wasn’t happening.