BookToReadHello 498
Chapter 498 Chapter
498
| held the phone, hesitating for a few seconds, wondering what Jace wanted.
Lena raised an eyebrow, silently urgingto answer.
"Rea," cJace's voice.
"What's up?" My tone stayed cold, guarded.
Even though things were over with Hayden, there was zero chance I'd go back to Jace. Every the reached
out, my walls shot up on instinct. "I'm back," he said, like he'd just returned from sepic quest.
"Yeah, | know." Wayne had already told me.
Jace paused. "Can we meet? If you don't want to meet alone, we can do it at my parents house. They really miss
you."
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| pictured Matthew and Lindey, the way they'd always been there for me, the airport pick-ups, the family dinners.
Of course, they'd be worried.
"I have sthings | need to tell you," Jace added when | stayed quiet. "It's about Steve... and it involves
Hayden, too."
My breath hitched. Hayden and | were done; anything related to him shouldn't even matter anymore.
But that thought didn't last. Against my better judgment, | heard myself say, "Fine. I'll cby later." "Great.
Mom's been talking about making dumplings for you," Jace said, sounding way too hopeful.
After | hung up, Lena shota smirk. "Your ex seems pretty persistent."
| ignored her teasing. "He says it's important, and it involves Hayden."
"Oh, please-that's bait, and you know it. Weren't you just saying you and Hayden were done?" Lena gave me
that raised-brow look, knowing exactly what she was doing. She knew | wasn't over him that easily. "I'm going
because of Matthew and Lindey, not because of Hayden," | insisted, digging in. "Lindey promisedgnocchi."
Lena let out a snort, clearly unconvinced.
"Forget gnocchi; the Johnston family should be giving you a third of their estate for saving Jace's life," she said
with a sigh.
Her comment brought up old suspicions, but Matthew and Lindey had explained everything, and they'd been so
open about it. Obsessing over it would only drivecrazy.
"Seriously, what are the odds of you and Jace both having that rare blood type? It's like winning the million-dollar
lottery," Lena said, watchingwith that look.
| asked Matthew and Lindey," | admitted. "They said they'd known about it for years. My parents knew, too. It's
part of why they wanted Jace andengaged."
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Chapter 498
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Lena gave a nod. "Well, if you ever need a transfusion and Jace hesitates for even a second, I'll personally knock
ssense into him."
Then she sighed. "Guess our prairie trip's off, huh?"
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"You were actually serious about that?" I'd thought she was kidding.
"Absolutely. | was ready to pack up and go," she said, patting her pocket. "We've got the money; we can go
anywhere, anytime."
On that, Lena and | totally agreed. Money equaled freedom. It was our best insurance.
"Fine, but you'll have to wait for me," | said, already dreaming of a break-my last one had been after breaking
things off with Jace.
Lena must've thought of that too, because she chuckled, teasing, "Maybe this tyou'll find someone more
reliable than Hayden."
I laughed. "In that case, let's not call it a trip. Let's call it... a 'search for romance."
"If the first one doesn't work out, on to the next," Lena grinned, patting my shoulder.
just smiled. The whole "next one will be better" thing sounded great in theory. But finding Mr. Right? Not as easy
as it sounded.
After Jace, the only reason I'd even managed to open up to Hayden was because Jace had hurtso deeply. But
with Hayden, it was different-this time, | was the one who messed it up, the reason he'd walked away. This was
the one relationship | hadn't wanted to end. Even if there was nothing left to hold on to, | wasn't ready to just
move on.
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