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."

slippers. They might not be the best,

a few steps, Hayden stopped abruptly. "I heard you want to date

phrase it

want to date?" I asked, taking a moment to really look

his lips were

striking than Jace's, except

someone's face first when meeting them? You couldn't exactly strip

army, now I He started

eighteen, called out, whistling and

asked after the boy wandered

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

with a widow?" I asked, cutting to

eyes darkened a bit.

the future?" I asked, feeling my

sensitive and fragile, though no

"No," he answered succinctly.

got out of a relationship that almost ended in marriage. My