Chapter 479

Hayden's one sentence nearly made me see red.

Now I was sure this whole mess between us was because of that ridiculous news report.

Sure, I had some blame in this, but I was still fuming. We'd promised to trust each other, yet here he was, judging me over a single story without even asking my side.

I felt the frustration rise in my chest. "If I said it's not convenient, would you just turn around and leave?"

"Yes." Of course, he would.

I clenched my teeth. "Hayden, when it comes to being a jerk, you're really unmatched."

He didn't even flinch, just kept that calm, collected look that somehow made it even harder to stay mad.

Fuming, I spun around and dropped onto the couch with a huff. Hayden followed, sitting down too—but he left about a foot between us.

This was the guy who used to pull me onto his lap if I so much as scooted an inch closer. Now, he was holding back. It was obvious where his mind was.

My chest tightened, and I looked at him, my voice wavering. "Do you really