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

and alone," Jace explained, hist gloomy eyes

could I say? Still, I reminded him, "Even if

like the one

"Yeah, I understand..."

when we heard the urgent sound of wheels scraping against. the floor

saw a group of people rushing toward us with an emergency

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

found myself pressed against his chest, his heartbeat loud and

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

heartbeat was still fast, still because of

pushing away all other thoughts, and snuggled closer

Tanya know, Jace said,

the door instead of going into the

Tanya, but as he came out, I heard

residence, his parents, Matthew Johnston and Lindey Jewell, were still awake,

it, and she said that after so many years of marriage, seeing each other every day, what was there to talk about? Jace had told me

was what love would look

"Dad, Mom, I'm home."

2/4

+15 BONUS

"Hi, Lindey, Matthew."

and I

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

then turned to me. "Are

hadn't eaten much for dinner, but I wasn't hungry at all now.

bring

smile.

was the family

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

earlier, we need to get Jace's room ready as your wedding

married, we're moving out. Why bother preparing a wedding

stay 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, you

echoed in my mind, leaving me

Jace answered for

the next second, he had

the room.

Jace called out

the atmosphere was awkward, with a hint

linens, it felt like tonight was our