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

Jace explained, hist gloomy eyes

I reminded him,

scene like the one earlier. It made

"Yeah, I understand..."

had barely finished speaking when we heard the urgent sound of wheels scraping against.

head and saw a group of people rushing

voice, "Watch out!" and he pulled me out of the way. The stretcher sped

pressed against his chest, his heartbeat loud and

during a school event, and Jace had caught me. He reassured me and

was still fast, still because of

away all other thoughts, and snuggled closer to

I'll let Tanya know, Jace said, kissing my forehead as he released

instead

said to Tanya, but as he came

returned to the Johnston residence, his parents, Matthew Johnston and Lindey Jewell, were still awake, sitting on the couch watching TV.

day, what was there to talk about? Jace had told me that their love had been

what love would

"Dad, Mom, I'm home."

2/4

+15 BONUS

"Hi, Lindey, Matthew."

I greeted

you guys eaten? If not, there's some food left for you," Lindey said

to me. "Are you still hungry? Do you want

I

rest. I'll have Isabel bring

smile.

the family

didn't dwell on it, though, and headed upstairs. When I opened the door, I was taken aback

forgot to mention, earlier, we need to get

out. Why

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, you don't mind, do you?"

echoed in my mind, leaving me

Jace answered for

looked up at him, and the next second, he had his arm around my shoulder, guiding me

the room.

out as he

and the atmosphere was awkward, with a hint

the bed made up in wedding-themed linens, it felt like tonight