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

Hello 654

Chapter 654

"Whose secret?" I asked, keeping my tone casual.

Demi glanced at me, her lips parting like she wanted to spill, but something held her back.

Then I remembered what she'd said about it possibly costing her life. Raising a hand, I stopped her. "You don't have to tell me. I'll figure it out myself."

"Keira, don't. You don't need to dig into this, and you definitely don't need to get involved in my mess anymore," she said, her voice tinged with guilt. "You've already done enough-helping me pay off all that debt. I'm grateful, okay? That's enough." I studied her, my mind running wild with guesses about the "secret" she was hiding.

"I'll pay you back. Bit by bit," she said quietly, avoiding my gaze.

We both knew the truth. With the way she was earning now, it would take her a decade-probably longer-to pay back the $500,000 I'd lent her.

"You don't have to worry about that," I said firmly. "All I care about is you being safe and okay."

But Demi just shook her head. She was set on repaying me.

has their principles, and I wasn't about to trample

to come back with me, I focused on making sure she'd be in a better place. I rented her a small studio apartment,

of that, I pulled some strings with Ron and got her a job at a local company. At least this way, she wouldn't have to

was squared away, I called Lena to set up a meeting with

I'll let him know," Lena said. "Once we lock down a time and place, I'll send it

it so casually, like she was inviting me and Nate out instead of the other way around. I didn't mind, though, and just went along

back to me for a while. What I didn't realize was

***

Lena's

happened with my uncle yesterday?" she asked, trying to make sense of

closer. "I planned this from the start. We've just gone official, sure, but I've been

but still, this felt way

laced his fingers with hers and nodded, dead serious. "Of course I

just us, it's us. But bringing my parents

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Chapter 654

him, his eyes locked on hers. "Lena, I want to marry you. It's not just you