Chapter 43

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