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

Chapter 189

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Since my parents passed away, I had never complained about the bitterness of medicine again. After all, there was no one left to give me sugar-free candies, and I hadn't tasted one since. "It's really sweet," Hayden coaxed, lifting the candy to my lips again, almost teasingly.

I finally opened my mouth. But the moment the candy touched my tongue, tears welled up in my eyes, spilling over before I could stop them.

"Why are you crying?" His hand was on my face, gently wiping the tears away

But the more he asked, the more I felt a tightness in my chest, and the harder it was to hold back the flood of emotions. My tears kept falling, faster than Hayden could wipe them.

In the end, he took the cup from my hands and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. "If you hate the medicine that much, we won't take it."

He stepped away, and I buried my face in my hands.

After crying for a bit, I felt lighter, like some of the weight on my chest had lifted. The thermometer under my arm beeped, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I glanced at the number: 100.8°F. Yep, definitely a fever.

it drops, you won't need the meds," he said, gently laying me down

moments later, I heard the flick of a lighter and smelled burning

palm as Hayden rubbed it, and I flinched, but he

this-my dad used to do it when I was younger-but it always felt a little

then my right. Just when I thought he

"You don't need

but now you're scared of me touching your foot?" Hayden teased,

pretend like I didn't remember anything. But Hayden knew exactly what I'd said, and there was no way he'd let me

did the only thing I could-stay quiet. Silence felt like my best defense. I shut my eyes again

hands worked over the soles of my feet, sending shivers through me. It tickled, but in a way that made

+25 BONUS Chapter 189

when my parents were still around. It felt comforting, but it also made my heart ache. Before I realized it, tears started slipping down my cheeks again. "Rest. I made some pumpkin soup. You can have it when you wake

as he stood up to

I called quietly, watching him walk away. "Did we know each

he was channeling the care my parents used

for a second, and I thought he might answer,