"You probably don't know this, but I've never been in a relationship before. I'm as pure as they come. Not like you, with your complicated love life—an ex-fiancé, that guy who keeps messing with your hair, and let's not forget Wayne." Hayden's voice was so calm it almost drove me crazy.I opened my mouth to snap back, but before I could get a word out, he dropped his gaze. "So, really, I should be the one worrying. If people find out we shared a room last night, they might think I'm not so innocent anymore.""Are you saying I ruined your precious purity?" I shot back, feeling my temper flare up."Not at all. You were very well-behaved last night—no improper advances toward me whatsoever," Hayden said, his tone dripping with fake innocence, like he was some damsel in distress and I was the sleazy villain who'd taken advantage of him.'Unbelievable. This guy is so full of it!' I fumed silently, too angry to even find the right words.I took my frustration out on the custard roll in
I stormed over to Hayden and demanded an explanation. "What's the deal? Why are we suddenly taking a break?""Two days off a week are government-mandated," Hayden replied, annoyingly calm. "Considering how tight our schedule is, one day off shouldn't be a big deal, right?"His calmness only made me more frustrated. "I get it, but we're up against a serious deadline here. I've already told you we have to meet it. Can't we just push the break back? I'll even pay you extra."Hayden didn't break eye contact, his gaze unwavering. "It's not about the money, Ms. Kay. We're not machines. People need rest if you want them to do good work."Ugh, he wasn't wrong, but this wasn't just any project.I exhaled slowly, trying to steady my nerves. "So you really need to rest today?""Yes," Hayden said, his tone leaving no room for argument. Knowing there was no winning this one, I turned to walk away."And you all need to rest too," he added.I spun around, my anger bubbling over as I shot him
"What's your deal? Are you seriously using our acquaintance and last night's incident to blackmail me?" I confronted Hayden."No," he said, but his eyes didn't quite meet mine.His guilty expression was all I needed to see. I clenched my fists, resisting the urge to punch him."I'm unfamiliar with this place. What's wrong with asking for your help? I've helped you before too," Hayden added, his tone softening, almost like he was trying to guilt-trip me.He was right. Debts had to be repaid, whether it was money or favors.I let out a sigh. "Okay, Mr. Hart, where do you want to go today? What do you need to buy? Just tell me, and I'll take you.""I want to check out some apartments," he said, catching me totally off guard.I blinked at him. "Looking for an apartment? Aren't you heading back once your work here is done?""I might not be going back, so I'm planning ahead," Hayden's words hit me like a sudden jolt.I couldn't explain it, but something about that felt off, unsettli
"You'll never get it to turn!""It's been rusted shut for years.""The ground's so hard now, the valve's practically buried."People were whispering among themselves, but I couldn't take my eyes off Hayden.I definitely didn't expect him to go full-on flat on the ground like that. His veins were popping out of his temples and arms as he pushed with everything he had, muscles straining under the effort.But even with all that, the valve wouldn't budge. His face started turning red from the strain."Young man, save your energy. A few strong guys already tried, and they couldn't get it," an older neighbor said, noticing how hard Hayden was pushing himself.I started feeling worried. "Hayden, maybe we should just leave it and call someone else to handle it."Just as I said that, Hayden suddenly relaxed, and with a calm tone, he said, "It's done."Then, in one quick move, he got up, casually brushing off the dirt and grime. "Let's head upstairs and check."Water was still pouring
It was weird. I hadn't blinked when dealing with that complicated lighting at the amusement park, but now? I felt like I was drowning."Don't trust me?" Hayden asked."It's not that, I just..." My eyes drifted over him—his shirt was covered in grime, and the cuffs of his pants were soaked through.Seeing him like that made guilt twist in my chest."I can handle it. Now hurry up," he said, reaching out to pat my head. "Be good."A shiver ran down my spine.Just recently, Wayne had done the same thing, but this was... different. Hayden's touch was warm, sweet, almost like something I'd been craving without realizing it.I couldn't put my finger on it, but it was there—this strange mix of comfort and longing that made me feel like I was on the edge of something new.His gaze was so soft, I had to look away. I practically sprinted out to get the supplies he needed. When I got back, he was already mopping up the water in the hallway.The floor inside, which had been flooded just a
My breath caught in my throat, and I couldn't move.Hayden stayed put too, his eyes locked on mine.We were staring straight into each other's eyes, totally frozen.Neither of us budged—no stepping closer, no pulling away.It was like I could feel our hearts racing together...Until some old lady's voice outside shattered the moment: "That new tenant's boyfriend sure knows how to clean. Look at that staircase!"Reality crashed down on me. I shoved Hayden away and bolted for the living room.But once I got there, I just stood around, totally clueless about what to do next. My mind was a total mess.Hayden followed me, breaking the silence with a casual, "Is this your parents' old place?"I paused, confused about how he knew that, until I noticed him standing by the wall where all our family photos were hung."You still look a lot like you did as a kid," he said, almost like he was stating the obvious.The wall was covered with my childhood awards and family portraits. In one
"Got any wet wipes?" Hayden asked. "Or another towel? I need to clean up."He was clutching my towel, but it was pretty obvious he wasn't about to use it on his dirty clothes."I've got some face towels," I offered, digging out a couple. "You can wet them and use them the same way."He hesitated, staring at the face towels like they were alien tech or something.I couldn't help but laugh. "Seriously? You've never seen these before?""Yeah, first time," he admitted, which somehow made him even more likable.It kinda made sense, though. He hadn't been in a relationship and didn't have any women in his life. And honestly, face towels were a pretty recent trend anyway."They're disposable face towels, mostly for women," I explained, wetting one and handing it to him.Hayden nodded, finally getting it, and started wiping the dirt off his clothes. As he did, I noticed a smudge on his shoulder, so I grabbed another towel and reached out to clean it off.The second I touched him, he t
Some people were truly shameless—like, they just couldn't help themselves.As Tanya marched toward me, that thought flashed through my mind.Anyone with a shred of decency would avoid the ex of the person they cheated with. But nope, not Tanya. In today's world, people like her just didn't care.It was like she needed to show off, to prove how much better she thought she was."Keira, what a surprise! Here for dinner too?" Tanya chirped, but her eyes were locked onto Hayden.Honestly, ever since she strutted over, she hadn't stopped staring at him.I didn't need to go into detail about how hot Hayden was. Let's just say he was the kind of guy who would turn heads wherever he went, even earlier today when the old ladies in my neighborhood were practically drooling over him."Yeah, I am. What, you think I'm just here for a tour?" I shot back, my tone dripping with sarcasm.It wasn't that I was being petty—I just couldn't stand the sight of her. She was the type who played innocent