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

Chapter 837

The rest of my words caught in my throat as Hayden pulled me into his arms.

His cheek brushed mine, his voice low and steady. "Lena's fine. I didn't hurt her. She's safe, I swear."

His scent, his warmth, his words-they worked slowly easing the panic clawing at my

chest.

"You're not lying?" I asked, my voice trembling

"I'm not lying. Aaron's with her. He'll bring her back," he murmured, his lips brushing my

hair.

"Then why are you here?" I wasn't ready to let this go so easily.

His breath tickled against my skin. "Because I missed you. I missed you too much."

Missed me? Really?

was cold and unreadable, and the next, he was this warm, familiar version of himself again. It was whiplash, and it messed

he loosened his hold, his hand grazing my cheek. "Hit me, yell at me-do whatever you

you really Hayden?" I asked

his lips.

sat on the couch, eyeing the fruit platter on the coffee table and the smell of fresh food in the air. Looking over at

followed and sat beside me, lightly holding my hand. "Kiki, I know you're upset. I'll explain everything, I

knew me too well-too well for my liking. I pulled my hand

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cared too much. But the version of Hayden who'd taken Lena? He was a stranger.

I couldn't let my guard down. Not with the memory of

then nodded softly. "Let's eat first," he

1/2

475 BONUS

glanced at the table again. My appetite was nonexistent, but the baby growing inside me had other plans. I sat down, and Hayden filled my plate, just

meal. Taste it and see if it's still

I remembered. His cooking hadn't

But I had.

hadn't touched his plate. "Why aren't you eating? Did you poison the food?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. He laughed. "A little late to worry about

I'd already cleared