Ch. 31..40

Chapter 31 I hadn't really thought about any of this until Wayne's words brought those memories flooding back, like an old movie reel playing In my head.

"What did he do? Can you tell me?" Wayne asked softly when I didn't say anything.

If I didn't explain, they'd be confused. Jace would think I was just being dramatic, and when I got back, Matthew and Lindey would totally grill me about it too.

The easiest thing was to spill it now, so I wouldn't have to deal with all the questions later.

"He cheated on me," I said, making Wayne go silent on the other end.

Knowing he wouldn't believe it, I added, "It was his close friend's wife. Even your parents know about their affair."

Wayne didn't say anything.

I smiled. "You know it's true, don't you?"

No secret stayed hidden forever. Jace and I didn't even get our marriage certificate. Matthew and Lindey would definitely ask questions and find out, and Wayne would ask Matthew. "That's impossible. Jace loved you so much. Maybe there's some misunderstanding." Wayne said, still holding onto his belief in Jace's love for me.

It wasn't surprising. Back then, Jace always called me his fiancée and made sure no other too close. If Wayne and I even got a little friendly, Jace would start complaining.

"Wayne, people change," I said.

guys got Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed outside the door. I glanced up just in time to see a rugged figure pass by the window.

Macy's voice carried from the yard. "Hayden, you're back, It had to be the guy I wanted to swap rooms with. Macy's question confirmed it, she must have already asked him for me. His response was loud and clear: "No."

The walls were so thin I could hear everything, and Wayne heard it too. "Rea, where are you? It's late, and it's not safe to be out."

Wayne's concern snapped me back to our conversation. "Tell your parents I'm fine. I'm just taking a few vacation days to have some fun. Even though Jace and I aren't getting married, they're still my family." "And what about me?" Wayne asked, chuckling.

I smiled, catching my reflection in the window. "You'll always be like a brother to me.

"Take care of yourself," Wayne sald.

"Sure, let me know when you're back," I replied casually.

To my surprise, he said, "I thought you didn't want me to come back."

"Huh?" I was puzzled.

"It's late, get some rest," Wayne said before hanging up.

I sighed, setting my phone down. Just then, I heard the sound of running water outside.

"Hayden, why are you washing your hair with cold water again? You'll catch a cold," Macy scolded.

Remembering how stubborn he was earlier, I got up and opened the door. Under the dim light of the yard, there he was, washing his hair in an army-green tank top.

Water splashed as he quickly scrubbed his hair with his defined fingers, moving efficiently and swiftly.

When he turned off the tap, he stood up.

He had broad shoulders, chiseled muscles, a narrow waist, and long legs. A brown belt cinched his waist, accentuating his rugged, powerful look.

I was captivated until he suddenly turned around. Our eyes locked, his gaze darkening with intensity while I stood frozen.

It was him-the taxi driver I thought looked like he had just been released from prison.

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Chapter 32 "Hayden, this is the girl I mentioned who wants to switch rooms. Can you two discuss it?" Macy's voice cut through the staring contest between Hayden and me.

I stepped forward. "Hi, I'm Keira Kay. Would you mind switching rooms with me?"

"Hayden Hart, and no." He dismissed me as fast as he'd washed his hair earlier.

My lips twitched in irritation, my stubborn side kicking in. "Why not?"

Hayden glanced at me but didn't answer. He just slung an army-green towel over his shoulder and walked past me, sending a chill through me.

Macy came over. "Hey, Keira. Don't be upset. Hayden isn't good at sweet-talking girls. I'll talk to him later."

My temper flared, and I raised my voice on purpose. "No need. It's just a room. Whoever wants it can have it."

cy pulled me aside. "Don't be so harsh. He's an ex-soldier. If you push him too far, he might carry you out and toss you outside."

I couldn't help but laugh at myself. How could I mistake an ex-soldier for a freshly released inmate?

"I'm serious, Keira. I'm not making this up. The widow across the street, Molly Ruth, kept banging his door until he finally wrapped her up in a sheet and threw her out. Everyone saw it." "Huh? Another widow?' Weird how I keep running into them.

"Seriously? Did she make it into his bed?" I asked, curious.

"She tried, but she didn't get that far. He tossed her out before she could. It was quite the show," Macy said, clicking her tongue.

I smirked. "Don't worry, I'm not into guys who attract widows."

Just as I said that, Hayden showed up, now wearing a black T-shirt and a black leather jacket. He looked tough.

"Hayden, heading out this late?" Macy asked.

"Yeah," he replied curtly.

"Don't stay out too late. I have to lock up, and it wouldn't be good if a thief got in..." Her words trailed off as Hayden disappeared.

As I turned to head back to my room, Macy added, "Hayden's a good guy, really upright. Any girl who ends up with him is lucky."

Lucky or unlucky, it had nothing to do with me. My heart wasn't shattered, but it felt pretty beat up from past heartbreak, "Keira," Macy called as I was about to enter my room 1/2 I turned around. "Yes?"

"Hayden never locks his door when he goes out. Want me to show you around his room? If you like it, I can talk to him again tomorrow." She seemed determined to help. I smiled. "That wouldn't be right."

"There's nothing wrong with it. We're not taking anything, and he doesn't bring any girls here. It's fine," she insisted, already making her way to Hayden's room.

"No, thank you," I declined. "I don't want to switch anymore. I like my room as it is."

She stopped, and I gave her a warm, grateful smile. Thanks. You should get some rest too."

"I can't sleep," she muttered as I closed my door.

Actually, I couldn't sleep either. Even though today had been more eventful than the past decade, I should have been exhausted and eager for rest.

Chapter 33 But lying on that hard bed, my mind was a chaotic mess, with no trace of sleepiness.

Eventually, I picked up my phone and opened my messaging app. There were messages from Demi and Gavin.

Demi: [Keira, today was insanely busy, but I finished all the tasks you assigned. Remember to give me some dragées as a reward tomorrow. Congrats on your wedding, and may you be happy forever.] I smirked at the message and didn't respond.

Gavin: [Ms. Kay, please don't take this the wrong way about Mr. Johnston. It's super important you guys don't have any issues, or it'll all be my fault.] I didn't bother replying. Instead, I opened my social media, found a selfie of my shadow at an amusement park, and posted it with the caption: [Happy vacation!] Afterwards, I purged my profile of anything related to Jace-a classic move after a breakup.

Since we weren't a thing anymore, it was best to clear out anything about us to avoid any bitterness and self-pity. By the time I finished, it was 3 a.m., my eyes strained. I tossed my phone aside and closed them. Then, I heard footsteps outside, passing my door and fading as a door opened and closed nearby.

I knew it was Hayden coming back.

Despite going to bed late, I woke up early due to the noise outside, which made it impossible to sleep.

My eyelids felt heavy, and I couldn't bring myself to open them, so despite being awake, I remained in bed.

"Hayden, could you come back earlier tonight? I'd like to invite you and Keira for dinner," Macy's words brought a smile to my face even in my drowsy state.

She was truly enthusiastic, even wanting to invite us to dinner.

But it felt nice, giving me a sense of being home.

"I won't be back. You two go ahead." Hayden's voice was as gruff as his demeanor.

'Boring. If girls were into guys like him, they must have a masochistic streak,' I grumbled inwardly. After two encounters, he had managed to hit all my pet peeves. I didn't like him.

Shortly after Hayden left, I rolled out of bed, still in my pajamas. Lazily, I pushed open the door. The courtyard was bathed in sunlight filtering through the ginkgo leaves, casting a golden, dappled effect. "You're up. I just cooked some sweet potatoes. Want some?" Macy held out a bowl.

I loved simple, homey food and didn't hesitate. "Sure "Come over and eat then," she said, already seated at the table under the ginkgo tree.

In that moment, I felt like I was seeing my parents and my childhood life. My eyes suddenly grew red.

"Macy, I was actually born here," I said as I ate, sharing my parents' story and mine.

Macy nodded vigorously, visibly excited. "You're Alan's child? What are the odds! Why didn't you say so yesterday?"

I felt a wave of emotion. "I was afraid you'd have other thoughts and wouldn't let me stay, or worse, you'd kick me out."

"What nonsense. I bought this house from your parents fair and square. I'm not worried about anything." Macy looked at my face. "You take after your mother. Beautiful."

My memory of my mom was blurry, but I knew she was indeed beautiful.

"You're here alone, so you must be single. How about I set you Macy's words made me choke.

Chapter 34 I didn't expect Macy to play matchmaker for me. Hayden's cold, indifferent face flashed in my mind. Recalling his direct and emotionless refusal to switch rooms, a playful mood overtook me, and I responded with a quick, "Sure." I agreed, but it was just a casual remark; I didn't take it seriously.

After breakfast, I borrowed a bicycle from Macy and spent the day riding around Chiverton.

When I returned to the rented house, it was already evening, and I had a sketchbook in addition to what I had left with in the morning.

I loved drawing. Before my parents passed away, they had enrolled me in dance classes, drawing classes, and even harp lessons. These all ended when they were gone, but drawing continued because it was simple: all I needed was a pen and paper. Today, besides exploring, I completed a drawing of the current Chiverton. My parents had always wanted to come back and see the place, but since they couldn't, I'd paint it and burn it as an offering to them.

"Keira, why are you just getting back?" Macy came over as soon as she saw me, then gave me a knowing look.

I was a bit puzzled. "Macy..."

"Hayden is back. I already talked to him," she said, modding toward Hayden's room..

I remembered her matchmaking plan from the morning and chuckled. "You actually told him? I was just kidding."

"You shouldn't joke about such things," she replied seriously. "Anyway, I told him."

"And what did he say?" I asked casually as I parked the bike.

"He said he wants to talk to you in person," Macy said, nudging me with a smile full of anticipation."

There's a chance."

I laughed too. "If it works out, I'll treat you to a wedding feast."

"Deal," she replied earnestly. "Now go freshen up. I'll tell Hayden to get ready too."

"There's no need for that. It's not like we haven't seen each other before," I said, thinking about how we had both seen each other in our most unguarded moments. "That's different. This is a formal meeting," she insisted, making me laugh even more.

I had to admit, I was genuinely happy here. Being able to wander freely, sketch as I wished, and speak my mind made me feel truly free.

Despite Macy's Insistence, I went to my room and flopped onto the bed without freshening up. I pulled out my phone, which had been buzzing with notifications. My heart sank when I saw that Demi was the one who had sent me messages.

I had been hoping for a message from Jace. Not that I wanted an apology or reconciliation, but He didn't even care where I was after I vanished without a trace? It felt like a devastating failure.

Even if he only saw me as a family member or a colleague, with no romantic feelings, shouldn't he be worried enough to ask? Like Wayne, who had called me from another country after hearing the news. But Jace hadn't.

I opened Demi's messages-there were several.

Demi: [Keira, is it true you didn't get the marriage license with Mr. Johnston? What happened?] Demi: [People at the company are saying Mr. Johnston was cheating on you. Was it the woman he was hugging that day?] Demi: [Keira, where are you?] Demi: [Did you run away? Don't do anything rash. There are plenty of men out there.] Demi: [Keira, please respond. I'm really worried about you.] Seeing her flurry of messages and the crying emoji at the end, I decided to reply: [Don't worry. Don't overthink or speculate. Just focus on work. I'll be back soon.] Demi replied instantly: [What happened with you and Mr. Johnston?] I responded with two words: [Don't worry.] As Demi's status showed she was typing, Macy called from outside, "Keira, are you ready?"

Chapter 35 Hearing Macy call, I tossed my phone aside and yelled, "Coming!"

Kicking off my shoes, I slid into my slippers and opened the door. The first thing I saw was Hayden filling up a bunch of white buckets in the courtyard.

He hoisted the full buckets, his shoulder muscles showing even through his shirt. Talk about strength. "Why are you getting so much water? Is there a water outage or something?" I asked as I walked over. Macy glanced at my slippers and discreetly rolled her eyes. Hayden stayed quiet, so she answered for him, "Just in case."

Then she patted Hayden. "I'm making fish chowder tonight. You two go buy some fish-wild-caught if you can. Also, get some cilantro, garlic sprouts, potatoes, and clams."

It was obvious she just wanted to get us out of the house to talk.

I knew my slippers weren't the best choice, but going back to change felt awkward.

"Go change your shoes," Hayden said.

Now it would be even more embarrassing, so I forced a smile. "It's fine."

Hayden didn't argue. He just started walking, and Macy gestured for me to follow, calling after him, Hayden, wait for Keira."

I shuffled out the door in my slippers. They might not be the best, but they were comfortable.

After a few steps, Hayden stopped abruptly. "I heard you want to date me?"

I froze. 'Did Macy phrase it like that? This guy's blunt.

"So, you don't want to date?" I asked, taking a moment to really look at him.

His features were sharp and defined, with deep-set eyes; his lips were just right, not too thin or too thick.

Macy was right; his face was more striking than Jace's, except for his slightly tanned-skin.

We were told not to judge a book by its cover, but who didn't check out someone's face first when meeting them? You couldn't exactly strip them down to see what they were working with.

I'm thirty-one. Served eight years in the army, now I He started to introduce himself but got interrupted.

"Hayden!" A teenage boy, probably seventeen or eighteen, called out, whistling and checking me out.

"Is that taxi yours?" I asked after the boy wandered off.

"No, it's a friend's," he said, explaining that he worked with a buddy driving the taxi.

"Ever been with a widow?" I asked, cutting to the chase.

Hayden's eyes darkened a bit. "No."

"Think you will in the future?" I asked, feeling my own scars and insecurities.

I was sensitive and fragile, though no one could tell.

"No," he answered succinctly.

I smiled a bit. "I'm twenty-four. Just got out of a relationship that almost ended in marriage. My parents are both gone, and I'm not looking to date right now."

I laid it all out. Macy's idea of trying things out with Hayden was just me being impulsive.

I wasn't ready for another relationship, especially not a setup with a stranger.

Hayden looked down but didn't say anything.

I figured he got it, so I turned to leave.

"Then how about getting married?" His words froze me in place.

I stared at him, stunned.

Hayden straightened up and met my eyes. "How about a marriage license?" he repeated.

Chapter 36 I never thought in my wildest dreams that a guy I'd only met twice would want to marry me. Meanwhile, the guy I'd loved for ten years was secretly seeing someone else. After a moment of shock, I smiled at Hayden. "Isn't this a bit too sudden?"

Hayden stayed serious. "Isn't dating supposed to lead to marriage? Since you don't want to date, let's just get married."

'He has a point. But seriously, who casually suggests marriage to someone they barely know?

This might work in fiction, but this was real life.

I raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Do you propose this quickly to every girl you meet?"

The setting sun cast long shadows, and Hayden's shadow wrapped around me. "You're the first."

A tickle of discomfort rose in my throat. "We... don't know each other well."

Hayden didn't say anything more, and we stood there in silence. Heat crept over my skin, and even my nose started to sweat.

As I nervously scratched at the wall behind me, trying to come up with something to say, Hayden broke the silence. "I'm heading out to buy the fish."

"I don't eat cilantro." I blurted out without thinking.

Hayden just nodded and walked away.

Watching him walk away, I couldn't help but notice his tall, straight posture. At over six feet, he gave off this vibe of security under the evening sun.

A bold thought suddenly crossed my mind. Maybe a marriage with someone like him wouldn't be so bad.

After all, he had been a soldier, a guy tested by the nation, probably tough enough to handle anything life threw at him.

When I got back to the rented place, Macy was nowhere to be found. Otherwise, she would've cornered me with questions or tried to sell me on Hayden's virtues.

I pushed open the door to my room, and my phone buzzed on the bed.

It was a call from Lena.

"How was the first day of your trip? Any fun or new discoveries?" Lena's voice sounded tired. She wasn't called a medical prodigy for nothing, often spending five to six hours straight in surgery.

I lay on the bed, thinking back over the day's events. Finally, I replied to Lena, "Does a romantic encounter count as a discovery?"

"What? That sounds exciting!" Lena's voice instantly perked up like she'd just had a shot of espresso.

1/2 I chuckled and told her about Hayden.

Lena sighed, "Rea, when one door closes, another one opens."

"You haven't even met him. How can you be sure it's a door? Besides, I'm not in the right time for this," I said, feeling a cold draft pass through my chest.

"A guy who wants to marry you right away can only mean one thing: he fell for you at first sight," Lena said like she knew it all.

I snorted. "Why not just say he finds me attractive?"

I was confident in my looks, having won a beauty pageant.

"You said he was a soldier. Trust the nation," Lena's logic matched mine.

I didn't respond, so Lena kept going. "I was worried you'd be lonely on this trip, but with this romantic twist, I'm sure you'll get over Jace's betrayal soon enough."

Just hearing Jace's name made me feel a mix of resentment and suffocation.

I didn't feel like this yesterday.

Now, the feeling made me a bit nauseous, like I might need to run to the bathroom.

For some reason, whenever I was nervous, upset, or unsettled, my stomach acted up.

"Rea, if I were you, I'd marry the soldier, bring him to meet the Johnstons, and show that jerk what he's missing. It'd save you the trouble of dealing with his family," Lena said. Despite being an angel to newborns, she could be pretty savage.

Chapter 37 I nodded slightly. "That's a good suggestion. I'll think about it."

"Seriously consider it," Lena said, pausing for a moment. "Rea, the best way to get over someone and a past relationship is to start a new one quickly."

"Alright, love guru, I get it," I replied, hanging up the phone and flopping onto my bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

I heard Hayden's footsteps outside. I recognized them instantly-steady and strong.

Soon, I heard the faucet running and Macy mumbling, "Why are you alone? Where's Keira?"

I didn't catch Hayden's response, but he did say, "Don't add cilantro to the fish chowder."

Hearing this, I laughed. But as I laughed, tears started to fall.

In these years with the Johnston family, I had been eating cilantro, though I never ate it when I was with my parente There's a saying, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Although I moved into the Johnston residence as Jace's fiancée, and Lindey said I was like her daughter, I knew deep down that I wasn't a Johnston.

In a lot of small ways, I made compromises to avoid seeming demanding or spoiled.

For example, I forced myself to eat cilantro, even though I hated it.

I fell asleep before Macy called me for chowder.

And I had a dream-a dream where Hayden and I were getting our marriage certificate, and just as we were about to sign, I woke up.

"Were you not able to talk things out with Hayden?" Macy asked me at the dinner table.

Thinking about my interrupted dream, I grunted, "We were about to get the certificate, but... you woke me up, and we didn't get it." "What?" Macy looked confused. "You two were getting the marriage certificate? So soon? Shouldn't you date a little longer first?" I was speechless.

"Kelra, you've got good taste. If you miss out on Hayden, you'll regret it. If I were fifty years younger, I'd chase after him myself." "Pfft-"I couldn't help but laugh at acy.

"Don't laugh, I'm serious. If you don't act quickly, Molly will." Macy grumbled.

It was just Macy and me at the table, so I asked, "Macy, where's Hayden?"

with friends."

C I scooped some chowder with a spoon, savoring its delicious taste. "Isn't he on call today? Why is he drinking?"

"He only helps friends drive occasionally. It's not like he does it all the time," Macy said, looking at me intently. "Are you really getting the certificate?" "No, I meant I dreamed about getting it." My explanation made Macy roll her eyes at me.

I didn't see Hayden the whole evening, but just as I was lying down, I heard him come back and Macy saying, "Lock the door, there's a girl in the house."

"It's locked, you can sleep now!" Hayden's voice, soft and soothing in the night, drifted over.

I smiled to myself, but then I heard Macy say, "Hayden, you better hurry up. Keira said she dreams about getting married to you."

Thud!

I shot up in bed. "When did I ever say that?' Macy really needed to watch her mouth, spreading all kinds of stuff.

'Great, now I really can't face him.' As I fumed silently, I heard Hayden reply, "I know, I'll hurry."

I was completely speechless.

Chapter 38 That night, I slept like a rock until some noise outside yanked me awake.

It wasn't Hayden talking, but some woman with a local accent.

From the sound of it, she wasn't young. Younger women usually have soft, clear voices, while older women's voices are heavier and rougher.

I had a knack for recognizing people by their voices, yet I couldn't tell that the man I had loved for ten years was actually a jerk.

They say you only truly forget someone when you stop thinking about them all the time. Clearly, I wasn't there yet. I still found myself thinking about Jace. Even if it wasn't love anymore, it was resentment. I couldn't help but think of him now and then. I stayed in bed, straining to hear the conversation outside.

"Macy, where's Hayden?" the woman asked..

"He left early this morning," Macy replied, the sound of running water in the background.

"He left, huh? I thought he was still asleep," the woman laughed lightly.

"Molly, why do you care if Hayden's up or not? He doesn't like you, so stop wasting your time," Macy shot back, no sugar-coating.

Most people couldn't handle that kind of bluntness, but Molly, standing outside the door, didn't even flinch. She chuckled. "What do you know? Guys like the chase."

I snickered. Molly seemed pretty confident.

"Well, all I know is that he tossed you out like yesterday's trash," Macy's sharp tongue didn't let up.

"Ugh, what do you even know, you old hag?" Molly shot back, clearly annoyed.

"I know about self-respect and dignity," Macy replied, earning my silent cheers.

"We're neighbors. I've helped you a ton. If you can't help me, at least don't make things worse," Molly tried to guilt-trip her.

Macy wasn't having it. "Yeah, you've helped, but not out of kindness. You just wanted to see Hayden.

more."

"Haha..." I stifled a laugh under the covers. Macy's sharp wit was something to admire.

"Alright, enough of that. I heard you took in a pretty girl?" Molly asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Yeah, she's got smooth, soft skin, Most importantly, she's single and hasn't married before. Even I find her delightful."

Macy's praise made me instinctively touch my skin. Indeed, it was smooth and soft.

"Is that so? I'd like to see her. Where is she?" As Molly spoke, I sat up.

It seemed she was here because she was worried I might steal Hayden's attention, I slipped my feet, polished toenails and all, into my slippers. My silk nightgown was a creamy color, with straps so thin they looked ready to snap any second. Combined with my freshly woken, tousled hair, I exuded a sultry charm.

I opened the door, yawning as I stepped out. "Macy, your place has the worst soundproofing. I get woken up every day."

As I said this, Molly was already staring at me, her eyes wide with surprise and envy, then jealousy and admiration.

Macy glanced at me. "Not much I can do. It's a small place. I'll close the door next time to keep out any unwanted guests."

I chuckled to myself. "Thanks."

I reached for my toothbrush and toothpaste on the sink rack. Next to mine was a military green toothbrush holder-definitely Hayden's.

Mine was pink, his was green. His was bigger, mine was smaller. They actually looked pretty cute together.

1

Chapter 39 I grabbed my toothbrush and a cup, filled it with water, Molly the whole time, but she didn't take her eyes off me. She checked me out from head to toe.

I started brushing my teeth. I didn't look at "Keira, this is Molly Ruth," Macy said, introducing us. "Molly, meet Keira Kay."

With my mouth full of toothpaste, I nodded at Molly.

She had a round face but wasn't overweight. She wore a floral dress and had clearly put effort into her makeup.

"Molly', she's the one you wanted to meet. Didn't I tell you? Look how pretty she is," Macy said, scrubbing some clothes by hand.

When Molly and I locked eyes, I caught a flicker of insecurity in her gaze, but she wouldn't show it. She's younger, of course she's pretty. I wasn't bad at her age either." Macy sneered, and Molly rolled her eyes. Their silent feud felt like I was watching a comedy.

As I finished brushing my teeth, Molly spoke up, "Keira, are you visiting relatives here or just traveling?"

I Traveling," I said, turning on the tap to rinse my toothbrush and cup.

"Did you come alone? No boyfriend tagging along?" Molly's question made me laugh.

"I'm single!" I said, watching her face twist in annoyance.

*Hayden's totally into her. He even asked me to set them up. Molly, don't you think they'd make a cute couple?" Macy added, trying to be helpful.

Molly's lips twitched before she snapped, "He can dream all he wants, but she's out of his league. She's gotta like him back first."

Even in her jealousy, she admitted I was out of Hayden's league.

Macy turned to me. "Keira, isn't he the one you said you dreamed of marrying?"

I hesitated. "Yeah."

Molly was left speechless, glaring at me with frustration before saying, "Miss Kay, let me make it clear, Hayden is my man. Don't get any ideas."

I brushed a lock of hair from my face. "What? Have you slept with him?"

Molly's face went bright red, just like when Macy said Hayden tossed her out.

"If you haven't slept together, aren't dating, and aren't married, then what happens between him and me is none of your business," I said, not holding back Molly couldn't respond. She just glared at me for a moment before shooting Macy a dirty look and leaving.

"I've never seen someone so shameless. She's a disgrace to women," Macy said, clicking her tongue as she wrung out clothes to hang.

1/2 "Macy, let me help you," I offered.

We hung the clothes on a thin wire in the yard. I hadn't noticed before, but now I saw Hayden's green tank top among the drying clothes.

I couldn't help but picture him wearing that tank top, muscles flexing as he washed his hair.

My face felt hot for some reason.

I didn't see Hayden that day, or the next. When I asked Macy, she told me he'd come back and then left again.

I had a hunch he was avoiding me on purpose. 'Is my rejection that big of a deal to him?"

But why should I care?

I didn't let it bother me. After three days, I was getting the hang of life on Oldbridge Street, really digging the busy afternoon farmers' market packed with vendors.

Even if I didn't need anything, I'd take a walk, sometimes grabbing some fruit or veggies.

Today, the watermelons at the market looked awesome, so I bought one. Just as I was nearing the house, I suddenly slipped and felt a sharp pain in my ankle. My body tilted to the side, about to hit the ground, when a pair of strong arms caught me around the waist. COIN BUNDLE: get more free bonus

Chapter 40 I looked up and saw Hayden's rugged, chiseled face. Not only did he catch me, but he also snagged the watermelon from my hand.

This surreal scene, straight out of a TV drama, was actually happening to me.

He steadied me and let go, but the second I moved, pain shot through my ankle.

Grabbing his arm, I said, "It hurts..."

Following my gaze, he saw my ankle already turning red. "It's sprained?"

Hayden was really close, his deep voice sounding especially sexy and comforting.

I nodded, and the next second, he handed me the watermelon and scooped me up in his arms.

In all the years I was with Jace, he never held me like this. Hayden carrying my heart race, and even my nose started to sweat.

That was my thing; whenever I got nervous or excited, my nose would sweat.

e like his princess made Theard gasps around us-it was the neighbors and passersby. In a small town like this, such behavior between a guy and a girl wasn't common.

Hayden seemed unfazed by the onlookers, carrying me briskly into the yard. As we entered, I saw Molly, holding a spatula, looking at me with resentful eyes.

"Wow, you're carrying her in your arms! You two are moving fast," Macy teased, her eyes gleam...g.

"She's hurt," Hayden said as he set me down on a bench in the yard. He crouched down and took off my slipper, holding my foot.

His hands were cool, and as his palm enveloped my foot, a strange sensation spread from my sole, making my toes curl instinctively. "Don't move," Hayden said, holding my swollen ankle.

"Ouch, that hurts..." I whimpered.

But he didn't let go. He pressed on my ankle bone and asked, "Does it hurt here?"

I shook my head. He pressed around some more and then said, "Looks like a muscle strain, not a bone injury.

"How can you be so sure?" I blurted out.

Hayden shot me a sidelong glance, and Macy jumped in, "Because he was in the army. He knows everything."

'Does being in the army turn someone into a jack-of-all-trades? I wondered.

But Hayden had already stood up. "Don't move. I'll get some ointment."

With quick strides, he walked off. That's when I noticed his black fitted T-shirt and dark blue cargo pants, looking straight out of Mission Impossible.

"How'd you twist your ankle?" Macy asked, jumping at the chance to find out.

I pointed outside. There seemed to be something on the road, and I slipped."

"Where exactly?" Macy pressed.

"Right past Molly's place," I replied. As soon as I finished, Macy was already heading out.

Hayden came back with some pain relief ointment. He knelt down beside me, putting my foot on his knee.

I knew what he was about to do. "I can handle it myself," I said quickly.

He gave me a look. "It needs to be massaged in to work. You don't have the strength."

With that, he rubbed the ointment between his palms and started working it into my swollen ankle.

The pain mixed with a faint numbness, spreading from where he was rubbing.