Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)
Hello 391

Jace's face was cold, like way colder than I'd ever seen it.

"Huh?" The guy next to him blinked at me, totally confused. "Mistaken? No way, your fiancée is gorgeous, how could I—"

"My fiancée's at home with my parents," Jace cut in, already walking off, his legs moving like he couldn't get away fast enough. "What? But..." The guy's eyes darted between me and Jace, completely thrown. "They look so alike... practically the same person."

I stood there, frozen. He didn't lie to embarrass me, which, honestly, I didn't see coming.

Jace, of all people, could've called me out and made this painfully awkward for Hayden and me. But he didn't.

Even when he walked past, he acted like I wasn't even there-like he didn't recognize me.

This version of Jace? He wasn't the guy I used to know. No more fiery temper over dumb stuff. Now he could just walk by, emotionless, like I was a total stranger.

Since he came back, other than that one time he popped up outside my place in Willow Residences, he hadn't tried to see me again.

He's over me....right?

I was still spiraling when Hayden nudged me into the elevator.

I blinked, glancing up at him. His face was hard to read, but after what just happened, I had a feeling it bugged him, too.

I reached for his hand, but before I could say a word, Hayden's other hand messed up my hair in that playful way he always did. "It's nothing.” he said softly. "We'll probably run into stuff like this again."

He wasn't wrong. Whether here or back in Seavora, awkward run-ins like today were kind of inevitable.

The thing is, we could've avoided this one. I should've remembered Steve booked this hotel-of course Jace wouldn't miss his buddy's event. But here we were, and switching hotels would've been too obvious.

Jace's appearance left Hayden and me in this weird silence all the way to our hotel room.

When we got inside, I stepped in first, but Hayden yanked me back, his lips crashing onto mine.

I'd teased him earlier, even hinted at this, but his kiss now? It felt different. More intense. Like maybe there was some jealousy mixed in.

He kissed me until he was out of breath, finally pulling back, his forehead resting against mine. I watched his chest rise and fall, still feeling his heartbeat against me.

"Hayden, you care about my past with Jace, don't you?" I asked quietly.

His throat worked, and his voice came out rough. "I care that he had you first."

I froze. Couldn't argue with that-it was true..

I had loved Jace for ten years. We'd even been engaged. That fact wasn't going anywhere.

"If it's going to be an issue for you, then..." I trailed off.

"Then what?" Hayden's eyes snapped up, dark and intense as they locked onto mine.

My breath hitched. The way he was looking at me-hungry, almost dangerous-made my pulse race.

"Hm?" He leaned in, his body heat wrapping around me. "You're gonna leave me, is that it?"

I couldn't meet his gaze, staring instead at his chest, the rise and fall of his breath quickening. "I can't change what happened, so..." "Keira Kay," he growled, using my full name, his voice cutting through the air,

He was angry now.

"Don't even think about it," he whispered, his breath hot against my neck. "You're not leaving me."

My lips trembled, my heart twisting in my chest. "But you're jealous. You care... What am I supposed to do?

"That's on me.” His voice dropped, rough and husky, "I should've found you first. Should've never let you slip away."

His words hit me hard,

I grabbed his face, then leaned in....

Actions spoke louder than words in moments like this,

We tumbled onto the bed, hands desperate, searching like we'd been waiting for this forever. His touch was relentless, every move fueled by something deeper, maybe even the memory of seeing Jace earlier. It only made him more intense, more demanding.

He didn't stop, even as my phone buzzed nonstop. He wouldn't let go.