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

Chapter 860

Lena pinched my arm hard-just enough to hurt. Classic Lena: subtle but effective.

Okay, fine. Blurting out Aaron's feelings in front of everyone? Definitely not my smartest move. Some things are better left for private jolas, not public mie drops. Especially when family dynamics are involved-blood-related or not. Ron finally caught on and asked, "Wait, what did you just say?"

Hayden cleared his throat. "She said you should hurry up and start the barbecue. Everyone's hungry."

"Pretty sure that's not what she said. She said" He hesitated, his usual sharpness suddenly absent. Was he playing dumb on purpose, or did he just realize poking the bear wasn't worth it?

Before he could dig himself deeper, Aaron cut in. "Stay away from Lena."

His voice was casual, but the warning? Crystal clear. Dude wasn't budging.

He stayed calm, face totally unreadable, like he was some overprotective dad stepping in

for his kid.

For a second, I felt bad for stirring things up. But come on, anyone with half a brain could see Aaron didn't see Lena as just a friend. The guy was either a pro at looking unbothered, or he genuinely didn't care what people thought. One thing was obvious: Aaron wasn't playing around. His protectiveness was straight-up unapologetic, and there was no missing the fact that he was all in.

stole a glance at Lena. She glared at me, then yanked me aside to sit on the edge of

breeze swirled around us, soft and warm. I kicked my legs over the edge and grinned. "Lena, Aaron really

she snapped, her voice

dodging the

my hands and looked at the sky. Some things you've gotta

gears. "So, what would you want in your next

a next boyfriend. Why does everyone assume I need one? Can't I just live without a man?" Lena

under the warmth of the sun. "You can, but wouldn't it

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Chapter 860

without at

like dating, I'll do it even when I'm eighty.

isn't the same as falling in love now,"

you seen those videos of old couples? They're way more

something fresh and carefree about her right now-like the Lena I

pretending to pedal an invisible bike. "Sure, the feelings might be the same, but the experience isn't. Like kissing when you're old

just saying-it's like fruit. You eat it when it's fresh and juicy, not when it's all shriveled and wrinkly." I shot her a mischievous grin.