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 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