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."

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gloomy eyes falling on my face.

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

didn't want to see another scene like the one

"Yeah, I understand..."

the urgent sound of wheels scraping against. the floor

turned my head and saw a group of people

was about to step aside, I heard Jace's voice, "Watch out!" and he pulled me out of the way. The stretcher sped

his heartbeat loud and fast in

of something that had happened soon after I arrived at the Johnston residence: I had fallen during a school event, and Jace had caught me. He reassured me and carried me to the infirmary. That was the first time I heard his heartbeat,

his heartbeat was still

pushing away all other thoughts, and snuggled closer to Jace's chest. "Let's go home. I'm

Tanya know, Jace said, kissing my forehead as he released

waited at the door instead of going into

to Tanya, but as he came out,

Matthew Johnston and Lindey Jewell, were still

she said that after so many years of marriage, seeing each other every day, what was

was what love would look like in

"Dad, Mom, I'm home."

2/4

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"Hi, Lindey, Matthew."

I greeted

If not, there's some food left

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

hadn't eaten much for dinner, but I wasn't

go upstairs and rest. I'll have Isabel bring you some milk later," Lindey said with

smile.

was the

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 taken aback and turned to look at Jace. He stood at

up. "Rea, I forgot to mention, earlier, we need to get Jace's room ready as your wedding room, so for now, he'll be staying in your

out. Why bother preparing a

to stay," Lindey replied, giving him a playful glare. She pulled him to my door. "You two are getting married soon.

to Steve echoed in my mind, leaving me momentarily

problem," Jace answered for

he had

the room.

called out as

atmosphere was awkward, with a

up in wedding-themed linens, it felt like