Lindey liked women who were open and confident. As she always said, if someone looked meek
and fragile, their heart and character probably weren’t much bigger.
Judging by appearance wasn’t ideal, but Lindey had been around long enough to have her reasons
for thinking that way.
“I can’t help you,” I said bluntly.
“Why not?” Tanya’s voice had a hint of panic.
I pressed my lips together for a second. “Lindey’s strong–willed. You can’t just change her mind that
easily.
“But she cares about you. She’d at least listen to you,” Tanya said, her gaze dropping, trying to look
pitiful. You know my situation. Without Jace, I don’t even know how I’ll get through this.”
Desmond’s death didn’t make her this desperate, but now she couldn’t imagine life without Jace?
I almost wanted tough.
“If you know Lindey cares about me, then you should also realize she’ll never ept you,” I said,
because in Lindey’s eyes, I was her ideal daughter–inw. If it wasn’t me, no one else would ever
be good enough.
Tanya went silent.
“Ms. Twain, if you want happiness, you’ll have to fight for it yourself–not rely on other people,” I said,
getting to my feet.
Tanya muttered softly, “But what if there wasn’t a baby? Would his family ept me then?”
I frowned slightly. Hadn’t I made myself clear already?
But I was done exining, so I turned and walked away.
Later, when I told Lena about Tanya’s request, she shook her head with augh. “She’s really got
some
nerve.”
I
I pouted. “She might manage to stay with Jace, but getting epted into the Johnston family?
That’s al whole different ballgame.”
I knew Matthew and Lindey well. Matthew cared a lot about appearances and reputation. He might
not demand Jace marry someone from a wealthy family, but her background–had to be spotless.
As for Lindey? No way she’d ever let her son be a stepfather.
*She knows she has no shot, so she came to you for a shortcut. You didn’t give in, right?” Lena
asked.
I clinked my ss against hers. “Do I look stupid or heartless to you?”
Lena chuckled, shaking her head. “Jace always seemed like he had his head on straight: I don’t
know. what’s gotten into him this time.”
“Whatever it is, it’s not my problem anymore. Let’s drop it–it’s killing the vibe,” I said, downing my
drink.
25 BONUS
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.
The red wine was rich and smooth, with a hint of bitterness, warming me from the inside out.
1 could usually handle my alcohol, but after a few sses, I started feeling a little tipsy.
In the end, Lena had to practically drag me out of there. She offered to take me back to her ce,
but I waved her off.
“I wanna go to my own ce,” I mumbled.
Lena shot me a knowing grin. “Oh, really? Got something on your mind? Hoping to bump into
Hayden, your cute neighbor?”
I smiled, nodding. “Yeah, I just wonder if that jerk’s even home tonight.”
When Lena dropped me off, Hayden’s door was shut tight. I knocked, calling out, “Hayden, open up!
Don’t avoid me–I know you’re in there.”
“He’s probably not home,” Lena said after a few seconds of silence.
“He’s home, he’s just ignoring me. What, just because I kissed him and didn’t follow up, now he’s
holding a grudge?” Iined.
Lena’s eyes lit up. “You kissed him? You made the first move? You totally pulled a sneak attack,
didn’t you?”
“I didn’t sneak attack him. I just kissed him once. If we’d actually slept together, I wouldn’t be mad at
him acting like this,” I said, shaking my head. “He’s no fun. Can’t even handle a little teasing.”
Lena looked shocked. “Wait, are you really into Hayden?”
“Yeah,” I admitted, huping from the wine, feeling bold. “I’ve been dying to pull off his tank top,
check out his pecs, and feel up those abs. And then maybe…
Before I could finish, the door swung open.
Hayden stood there, towel–drying his wet hair, staring right at me.