The weekend had ended way too fast.
Hayley stood in front of her closet Monday morning, staring at a dozen outfits she didn't feel like wearing. She settled on a navy blouse and black slacks—safe, professional, and just boring enough to blend in. She didn't have the energy to stand out today. Not when she'd be back in the same building as him.
Peters org. looked the same as always—sleek glass, steel edges, and a lobby that felt more like a luxury hotel than a workplace. The tall silver logo glinted under the soft morning lights as she walked in, clutching her coffee like a lifeline.
She took the elevator straight to her floor, keeping her head low.
Ever since the seminar trip, she'd been doing everything she could to avoid Ryan. She figured he didn't want to see her anyway after bumping into him at the restaurant and he didn't even spare her a glance confirmed what she already felt.
She was a problem he wanted to forget.
So she stayed in her lane. Meetings. Reports. Small talk. Nothing more.
Meanwhile, Ryan was two floors above, in his office with the city spread out behind him. The skyline looked calm from up here—clean lines and morning fog—but his thoughts were anything but.
He hadn't slept much since Saturday. The shift had helped, for a few hours. But the feelings came back stronger when he changed back—shame, confusion, and that ever-growing ache whenever he thought about Hayley.
He tried to distract himself. Emails. Quarterly numbers. He even read through a ten-page report on a software update he barely understood. But none of it worked.
Then Jerry walked in, carrying two coffees and that same casual smirk he always wore.
"So…" Jerry started, handing over the cup. "You were pretty out of it at dinner. Everything okay?"
Ryan glanced up from his laptop. "Yeah. I was just tired."
Jerry raised an eyebrow, then plopped onto the couch like he owned the place. "Tired, huh? Not awkward? Not jealous?" He stretched the word with a teasing grin.
Ryan didn't blink. "Jealous of what?"
"Where's this coming from?"
Jerry didn't answer at first. He just sipped his drink, watching Ryan too closely. "Hayley. At the restaurant. With me."
Ryan scoffed. "Seriously?"
Jerry shrugged. "You don't have to tell me. I just noticed the way you looked when you saw her."
"I didn't look any type of way."
"Mmhm," Jerry said, clearly not buying it. "You do know I can read people, right? I've known you since we were fourteen . That wasn't just a look, man. That was something else."
Ryan leaned back in his chair and rolled his eyes toward the ceiling. "Drop it."
Jerry grinned. "Fine. But when you stop lying to yourself, just know I called it first."
They moved on to other things—a possible new investor, plans for the annual company gala, and the ridiculous rumors someone started about a ghost in the finance department's elevator.
Eventually, they both agreed it was time to stretch their legs and grab something from the cafeteria downstairs. Ryan barely ever went down there—most days, meals were brought up to his office. But today he needed a change of scenery. Or maybe part of him knew she'd be down there.
As they reached the lower level, the atmosphere shifted. The cafeteria had a completely different vibe than the polished boardrooms upstairs. Warm wood panels, hanging plants, and floor-to-ceiling windows made the space feel welcoming. The air smelled like fresh bread and espresso.
Hayley was standing by one of the side counters, laughing with two other staff members from Marketing department . Her hair was in a low bun, a few strands framing her face. She wore small gold hoops and light makeup, just enough to highlight her sharp cheekbones and soft brown grey eyes There was a lightness in her laugh Ryan hadn't heard in a long time.
Some of the staff noticed them enter and straightened up quickly. A few offered quick greetings.
"Good morning, Mr. Smith."
"Sir—didn't expect to see you down here."
Ryan gave a small nod, his usual unreadable expression in place.
Jerry, on the other hand, lit up the moment he spotted Hayley. "Hey, look who it is," he said with a grin, already walking over to her.
Ryan stayed still. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he watched Jerry approach her. His jaw tensed.
He let out a low grunt—barely audible—but Jerry heard it.
And smiled.
He didn't turn around, didn't call Ryan out again, but the smugness in his grin said it all.
Ryan just shook his head slightly and looked away, pretending to examine a muffin he didn't even want.
Yeah, maybe Jerry did know him too well.