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

Chapter 139

Hayden had been popping up in my life a lot lately, but this was the first time he'd actually shown up at my doorstep. "What do you want this time?"

"I agreed," he said, throwing me off for a second.

Agreed to what?

"To pretend to be your boyfriend. To be your temporary boyfriend," Hayden clarified.

I was taken aback, especially since he'd turned me down before. "Why did you change your mind?"

"If I didn't, you'd just keep going on ridiculous dates and end up being stalked again like today, wouldn't you?" Hayden's tone started off resigned, but by the end, there was a sharp edge to it.

I couldn't help but notice the mix of frustration and concern on his face, barely visible in the dim light. It was almost... amusing.

"Aren't you going to be miserable, doing something you don't even want to do?"

He caught the teasing in my voice and took a step closer. Instinctively, I stepped back, only to bump into the railing behind me-no escape.

He leaned in, his arm trapping me between the railing and his chest. My breath hitched. "Hayden..." "How could you be so reckless, going on a blind date like that?" His voice was right next to my ear. I felt a tingle in my ear, and my heart started racing like crazy.

was totally scolding me, but there was something almost...

quiet, frozen

this time. I was practically melting into his chest, and I could

go. "Coming home alone this late? Don't do

I murmured, way too

me, and I hesitated.

be my fake boyfriend, so I could deal with the whole Johnston family mess-and

which left me kinda unsure about what

as I took a step, his voice stopped me. "That guy already followed you here once. What if he

leaving tonight," Hayden said, then

I asked, completely

+25 BONUS

"Your keys," he replied.

wide. "Wait, you're

else? You want me to camp out in the hallway?" Hayden's question left me

added, "It's

the

and we headed upstairs