Chapter 256

Hayden and Ron? Together?

And that last name... Hart?

All these thoughts slammed into my brain like a freight train.

I'd had my doubts before. I'd tried to connect the dots, but they both played it off like I was imagining things. But now, seeing them here, there was no denying it.

"Hayden!" I called out

Both Hayden and Ron turned toward me.

I was half-crouching by the pond, so they didn't see me at first. Ron even nudged Hayden and said, "Who's calling you? I thought I heard—"

Before he could finish, Hayden spotted me and walked over. "You almost fell in," he said, reaching out his hand. I thought he was going to help me up, so I started to grab it.

But instead, he just scooped me up like I weighed nothing and carried me away from the pond. "Aren't you supposed to be having lunch with Mrs. Johnston? What are you doing here?"

Seriously? We were at a restaurant. What did he think I was doing here, feeding the fish?

Being swept up in his arms like that left me a little flustere