Chapter 37

I nodded slightly. “That’s a good suggestion. I’ll think about it.”

“Seriously consider it,” Lena said, pausing. “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 Lindy said I was like her daughter, I knew deep down that I wasn’t a Johnston. In many 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.

“Keira, 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 Macy.

“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?”

“He’s out with friends.”

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.