Chapter


    “No,” I quickly denied. But thinking about Myra’s crush on him, I couldn’t help but add, “Just… don’t let anyone know we know each other.”


    “Why, is our rtionship something to hide?” His question caught me off guard.


    I turned and met his dark gaze, and for a brief moment, I felt a little guilty. I quickly looked away and started walking again. “It’s not that. I just don’t want people jumping to conclusions.”


    …Oh,” he said with a single word that left me unsure whether he was agreeing or just acknowledging it.


    I didn’t press the issue. We were both adults, after all, and should understand boundaries. Plus, he didn’t seem like someone who liked to ask too many questions.


    From there, we walked in silence, and the atmosphere felt a little awkward. Eventually, I broke the silence, asking, “How long do you think it’ll take to finish adjusting all the lights?”


    Josh answered, “Hard to say.”


    I didn’t know what to say to that. Then I remembered my promise to Alvin. I had given my word to finish the lighting setup in twenty days, no exceptions.


    I asked, “Can it be finished in twenty days?”


    Josh nced at me, and I thought he might say something, but instead, he just muttered, “Okay.”


    I thought, ‘Wait-did he just agree?’


    After that, there wasn’t much else to say. I could’ve asked about Holly, but I didn’t. Without her, there wouldn’t be this awkwardness between Josh and me, so bringing her up would only make things worse.


    The rest of the walk was silent. A few minutes felt like hours, and I could feel a light sweat forming on my back.


    I admitted, I was being a little ridiculous. I was perfectly fine around Alvin, my ex-fiance, but for some reason, I felt ufortable around Josh, the guy I had failed to connect with on a blind date. I wondered, ‘What is going on?’


    Finally, Josh and I reached the power distribution room. The manager was already waiting for us. I made a quick introduction, and he led Josh through the amusement park’s electrical ns.


    Once they were done, I asked, “Is there a problem?”


    “Nope,” Josh said.


    Hearing that made me feel a little deted. I thought, ‘After all that checking, there is nothing wrong?’ But the fact that Josh had toe look meant he suspected the power situation might be affecting the lights.


    I was starting to feel confused. Josh turned to the manager. “Let’s check the power room.”


    The manager didn’t hesitate and led the way. Josh and I followed closely behind. He was silent, inspecting everything, while I just tagged along, pretending to understand, though I didn’t get any of it.


    For a moment, I even wondered if Josh knew what he was doing. But then I reminded myself, he was a lighting technician. Of course he knew what he was doing with electrical systems.


    “This line isn’t 110V. Where does it lead?” Josh asked, his voice calm but authoritative.


    The manager nced at the generator’sbel. “It’s for therger equipment in the amusement park.”


    “I need a list of all the equipment that runs on these lines, along with their locations and the lightingyout,” Josh said, looking at me.


    I nodded. “I’ll have Myra send it over.”


    immediately called her, and as I hung up, Josh was already talking to the manager about another power supply issue.


    He had sharp features, and while his face wasn’t soft and youthful, there was something strong andmanding about him. His looks paired with his work clothes made him seem effortlessly cool.


    I found myself distracted by his presence when suddenly, Josh looked up. “Come here.”


    I wasn’t sure what he wanted, but I quickly walked over. However, I didn’t notice a piece of equipment sticking out from the side and identally brushed against it. It hurt, and before I could regain my bnce, I stumbled forward.


    The manager, who was closest, reached out to catch me, but Josh was faster. He blocked the manager’s arm and pulled me toward him, wrapping his arm around my waist.


    His grip was firm, and hisrge hand seemed to swallow my waist whole-suddenly, I felt tiny in his arms.


    At that exact moment, I heard footsteps approaching the door. “Zoe, I brought—”


    Myra’s voice cut off, and I could tell she was frozen in ce, shocked by what she had just witnessed.