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 br
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 parents.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
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 li
I grabbed my toothbrush and a cup, filled it with water, and started brushing my teeth. I didn't look at Molly the whole time, but she didn't take her eyes off me. She checked me out from head to toe."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?""Traveling," I said, turning on the t
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 me like his princess made my heart race, and even my nose started to sweat.That was my thing; whenever I got nervous or excited, my nose would sweat.I heard 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
Not too long ago, Jace had also given me a foot massage. It felt sweet then, but it didn't even come close to what I was feeling now.I couldn't figure out why. Maybe it was Hayden's technique.As Hayden was finishing up, I heard Macy shouting outside, "Listen up, everyone! If anyone tries to mess with my tenants, don't blame me for getting nasty! I'll make your whole family regret it...""What's going on?" I asked quietly.Hayden took my foot off his knee and placed it on another stone bench. As he stood up, I noticed his face was a bit red.I thought he was just hot, but his next words told me otherwise.He said, "From now on, don't wear skirts around here."I looked down at my skirt, a royal blue silk one that clung to my body and had a slit up the side. Sitting the way I was, the slit had ridden up, exposing my thigh. When he was massaging my foot, he must have seen something.My face turned slightly red, but I wasn't about to lose my cool. I feigned indifference. "Why? Doe
It was the bluntest thing I'd ever said.Hayden looked slightly stunned, then replied in a super chill tone, "You're overthinking it.I did not say anything.He turned around and started cutting the watermelon, arranging each piece on the plate like little soldiers ready for inspection.Looking at the perfectly cut watermelon, I suddenly felt this weird urge to snoop around his room."Why aren't you eating? Just staring at it won't help," Macy teased as she walked over.Macy was such a character—hands on hips when scolding, but super caring and gentle when she showed concern. She could crack a dirty joke like nobody's business."I was waiting for you. You really stood up for me earlier," I said playfully, handing her the biggest piece of watermelon.Macy didn't hesitate. She took a bite and said, "Sweet, but I can't have too much. My blood sugar's high."I started on my piece, but Hayden went back to his room and stayed there.When it was time for dinner, he left again. I wan
I'd been here for days and hadn't seen any of Macy's kids or grandkids visit. I didn't ask much about it. She seemed to think of Hayden and me as her own.One night, while I was getting ready for bed, Lena called, asking when I planned to come back."I haven't decided yet. I'm really happy here. It's the happiest I've been since my parents passed away," I told her.I even considered extending my leave, staying until I got tired of the place."Maybe you don't want to leave because of that soldier," Lena teased.Thinking about my few but oddly heart-stirring interactions with Hayden, I said, "I wouldn't say I can't leave, but when he's around, my heart definitely feels more alive.""Sounds like you're healing pretty well," Lena joked.I stayed quiet for a moment, then Lena asked, "Has that jerk Jace contacted you at all? Not even a text?"I licked my lips. "...No."Lena scoffed, "He thinks you'll never leave him."I knew she was right. Staring at the moonlight outside my window