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

Chapter 35

Hearing Macy call, I tossed my phone aside and yelled, "Coming!"

Kicking off my shoes, I slid into my slippers and opened the door. The first thing I saw was Hayden filling up a bunch of white buckets in the courtyard.

He hoisted the full buckets, his shoulder muscles showing even through his shirt. Talk about strength. "Why are you getting so much water? Is there a water outage or something?" I asked as I walked over. Macy glanced at my slippers and discreetly rolled her eyes. Hayden stayed quiet, so she answered for him, "Just in case."

Then she patted Hayden. "I'm making fish chowder tonight. You two go buy some fish-wild-caught if you can. Also, get some cilantro, garlic sprouts, potatoes, and clams."

It was obvious she just wanted to get us out of the house to talk.

I knew my slippers weren't the best choice, but going back to change felt awkward.

"Go change your shoes," Hayden said.

Now it would be even more embarrassing, so I forced a smile. "It's fine."

Hayden didn't argue. He just started walking, and Macy gestured for me to follow, calling after him, Hayden, wait for Keira."

the door in my slippers. They might not be the

few steps, Hayden stopped abruptly.

phrase it

don't want to date?" I asked, taking a moment to really look

sharp and defined, with deep-set eyes; his lips were just right, not too thin or too

his face was more striking than

face

years in the army, now

A teenage boy, probably seventeen or eighteen, called out, whistling and checking

that taxi yours?" I asked after the

a friend's," he said, explaining that he worked

widow?" I asked, cutting to the

eyes darkened

in the future?" I

was sensitive and fragile,

"No," he answered succinctly.

bit. "I'm twenty-four. Just got out of a relationship that almost ended in marriage. My parents are both gone, and