Chapter 65

I turned my head and met his eyes, feeling unexpectedly guilty for a moment.

I looked away and took a step forward. "It's not that. I just don't want others to overthink it."

"Oh." His response left me unsure of his feelings.

I didn't push it. We were adults, after all. We should understand boundaries and propriety. Plus, he didn't seem like the type to gossip.

The silence between Hayden and me grew awkward. Finally, I broke the ice again. "How long will it take to finish adjusting these lights?"

"Hard to say," Hayden replied.

I felt exasperated. "We have twenty days," I reminded him, thinking about the promise I made to Jace.

Hayden glanced at me, and I half-expected him to say something, but all I got was a low "Mm."

'Does that mean he agrees?' I wondered.

With that topic wrapped up, there wasn't much left to say. I could've brought up Macy, but that'd only make things more awkward.

The rest of the walk was painfully silent. Each minute dragged, and I even started sweating