Page 69 of Now Streaming

Hayden wasn’t in the mood to make this easier on the executive, even if he was less douchey than Dylan. “You’ll be hearing from my lawyers about your breach of our NDA.”

Brad nodded. “That’s to be expected.”

They all stood, and Brad took a moment, seeming to steady himself in a way that made Hayden curious about what he was thinking.

Brad looked Min in the eye. “Ms. Hayes, on a personal note, I am a big fan of your stream and have been for years. I’m deeply embarrassed and ashamed that this is your first experience working with me. I’m so sorry.”

He meant it. Hayden could tell it was eating him up that Dylan had pulled such a stunt. Min must have seen his sincerity as well because she simply nodded.

“I appreciate that.”

Brad knew that was all he was going to get, but he still seemed relieved. “I also want to let you know that Mr. White has been escorted off the premises and has had his convention badge and access revoked. We have a strict no-tolerance policy for the kind of behavior he displayed earlier, and we take safety very seriously.”

Min looked ready to collapse with relief, but she held it together. Hayden reached for her hand under the table, lacing their fingers together before he squeezed. When she turned to look at him, Hayden’s eyes got lost in the raw emotion there, the anger and worry and beautiful tenderness.

He vaguely heard Brad say something else before the sound of the door clicked shut. He was alone. With Min.

She drew a shaky breath, still holding his hand. “I can’t believe you did that.”

“That I lost? Trust me, I tried not to.”

A low laugh huffed out of her. “No, I mean… I can’t believe you just revealed your identity. To everyone. This is your worst nightmare.”

Hayden let his other hand touch her cheek, cupping it, pulling her a little closer as his fingertips grazed the softness of her hair.

“Min, it didn’t take long for me to realize my worst nightmare was losing you.”

Her pulse raced under his palm, and he watched closely as she licked those candy pink lips he couldn’t stop thinking about. He could see a thousand questions fighting to be asked.

Finally, she blurted out, “We just met like a month ago.”

Hayden shook his head, ready for this argument. It was one he had tried to make to himself all morning. And while logically he knew it was a good one, his heart felt otherwise. And he suspected Min’s did as well.

“We’ve known each other for years, Min,” he said. “We’ve played games and talked and gotten to know each other and pissed each other off for years. Maybe we didn’t meet in person until a month ago, but you’ve been one of my favorite people since our first stream together.”

She was blinking a lot, her eyes watering, and Hayden tried not to panic. He had to do this right. He had to make her understand.

“Min, I know I was a huge jerk that first day in the elevator. I was reacting from anger and anxiety and fear. But since then, I’ve become addicted. I don’t want to go back to only seeing you on stream. I want you in my life. Hell, I need you there. And at the risk of sounding crazy—”

“I love you,” she rushed out, cutting him off. “If you’re crazy, then so am I.”

He felt it then. The relief that she felt the same way. His chest filled with a swirling feeling of affection and obsession and caring. The entire world shifted around him, like the last piece of himself had fallen into place and he was finally a whole person because of this woman.

He kissed her, giving her every thought and dream he had ever had about her, wanting her to feel his truth. When he pulled away, they were both breathless.

“I love you, too, Min. So much.”

“No pressure, but I have a hotel room nearby,” she whispered. And Hayden knew without a doubt he would follow Min anywhere.

“Let’s hurry. I’m suddenly dying to ride the trolley with you again.”

Min rolled her eyes, which delighted him. He kissed her again before standing, pulling her after him.

It wasn’t the quick getaway Hayden had been hoping for. Min was stopped by Brittany and Randall, who had been waiting to congratulate her. Both gave him slightly skeptical looks, and Hayden could tell Brittany was whispering something in Min’s ear, but Min just blushed and pulled away. Randall left with a wave and a “Tell everyone where you got that shirt.” But Brittany crossed her arms in front of Hayden as if examining him under a microscope. Today she was wearing a military-style bomber jacket, lace-up boots, and a plain tank top, and she looked ready to rip off his head and spit down his neck. Hayden forced himself to endure the silent scrutiny. It was Min who finally groaned.

“Brittany, is this necessary?”

Brittany ignored her. “Min is my friend, DeathsHead.”

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