Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right by Rosie Steppe

Chapter 6

Tanya had a close call; her baby was saved, and now she was back in her hospital room. Her face was pale and drawn, her eyes red and puffy, making her look fragile and pitiful. "Don't worry, the baby is fine," Jace reassured her.

"Jace, I was so scared," Tanya began to cry.

Jace handed her a tissue, and she took it, grabbing his hand and resting her tear-streaked face on it.

'She might be pitiful, but does being pitiful give her the right to treat my fiancé as her own?" I thought.

I walked over. 'Mrs. Blake, the doctor said that strong emotions are bad for the baby. You barely managed to save the child. If something happens again because you're crying like this, it would be terrible."

I reached out to support her, subtly pulling her away.

Seeing her tears on Jace's hand still made me uncomfortable, like something of mine had been tainted by someone else. I was a bit of a clean freak, both in life and in love.

T

Tanya seemed taken aback when I called her Mrs. Blake. Her face visibly stiffened but she quickly regained her composure.

"Jace, I'm sorry, I..." She reached for a tissue to wipe Jace's hand.

I stopped her. "You shouldn't move around too much right now."

Her face stiffened again, her tear-filled eyes looking at Jace with obvious affection.

Once Jace and I left the room, I asked him directly, "Does Tanya like you?"

"No!" he denied immediately.

"Do you like her?" I pressed, wanting to clear things up once and for all.

Jace's face tensed, and after a few seconds, he finally muttered, "We're just friends..."

'Just friends?"

"Desmond isn't here anymore. When he was dying, he held my hand and asked me to take care of her..." Jace's voice trembled, his hands shaking as well.

It was clear that bringing up Desmond's death always upset him. This wasn't the first time.

Seeing him like this made my heart ache. "I didn't mean anything, it's just that Tanya seems very dependent on you."

+15 BONUS

hist gloomy eyes falling on my face. "Rea, I'll be more careful in the

more could I say? Still, I reminded him, "Even if you're looking after her for Desmond's sake,

didn't want to see another scene like

"Yeah, I understand..."

barely finished speaking when we heard the urgent sound of

my head and saw a group of people rushing

aside, I heard Jace's voice, "Watch out!" and he pulled me out of the way.

found myself pressed against his chest, his

and Jace had caught me. He reassured me and carried me to the infirmary. That was the first time I heard his heartbeat, so rapid and frantic. That

heartbeat was still fast, still

away all other thoughts, and snuggled closer

know, Jace said,

instead

didn't hear what Jace said to Tanya, but as he came out, I heard her

and Lindey Jewell, were still awake, sitting on the couch watching TV. Neither of them spoke to

marriage, seeing each other every day, what was there to talk about?

love would look like

"Dad, Mom, I'm home."

2/4

+15 BONUS

"Hi, Lindey, Matthew."

I

If not, there's some food left for you,"

replied, then turned to me. "Are you still hungry?

hadn't eaten much for dinner, but I wasn't hungry at all now. "No,

I'll have Isabel bring you some milk later," Lindey said

smile.

was the family

wasn't sure if it was just my imagination, but something about her smile felt off. I didn't dwell on it, though, and headed upstairs. When I opened the door, I was

"Rea, I forgot to mention, earlier, we need to get Jace's room ready as your wedding

Why

here. During holidays or when it gets late, you'll still need a place to stay," Lindey replied, giving him a playful glare. She pulled him to my door. "You two are getting married soon. There's no issue with you sharing a room." "Rea,

in my

problem," Jace answered

and the next second, he had his arm around my shoulder, guiding me

the room.

Mom!" Jace called out

Jace nor I spoke, and the atmosphere was awkward, with

in wedding-themed linens, it felt like tonight was our