30 Days Till I Divorce My Husband novel Chapter 339

Jason had barely stepped off the porch when Estrella came looking for him, her impatience bubbling over like a pot left too long on the stove. "And where were you all this time?" she demanded, her voice slicing through the chilly evening air.

Jason, however, remained as unmovable as a statue, his back turned to her, which only riled her up more. In a fit of frustration, Estrella slapped his back hard. "Playing hard to get now, are we?" she taunted.

Jason could only laugh, a low chuckle that did nothing to ease the tension. "Talk about making an effort," he scoffed.

Estrella's temper flared. "I've made it public on Facebook, even pinned it to my profile. I've been out looking for you, trying to make things right. How can you say I'm not trying?"

Before Jason could reply, Estrella continued, her voice tinged with a mix of annoyance and desperation, "Jason, I'm out here in flip-flops, freezing!"

At that, Jason finally glanced down, noticing for the first time the thin slip of rubber on her feet. Without a word, he stood and headed inside, Estrella scurrying after him, her earlier bravado giving way to concern. She had swapped her warm boots for the flip-flops at the last minute, a little act of penance.

Once indoors, Jason kicked her boots toward her. "Get those on before you catch a cold and I end up playing nurse," he grumbled.

"Why bother with boots when I've got you so steamed?" Estrella shot back, trying to lighten the mood. "Might as well stick with the flip-flops as self-punishment."

Jason's expression was a masterpiece of incredulity. Estrella's antics never failed to amaze him. "So, you're really not going to change?" he asked, voice edged with a challenge.

"Nope," she replied defiantly.

Jason's patience snapped. "Estrella, are you sure about that?"

"Absolutely."

With a sigh, Jason crouched down and, in a gesture that spoke volumes, swapped her flip-flops for the boots himself. His actions belied his earlier sternness, revealing a softness he'd tried to hide.

Estrella fought back a smile, touched by the gesture despite herself. "See, you do care," she teased, even as she feigned reluctance. "Why bother with me if you're just going to ignore me?"

Jason simply shook his head and turned away, but Estrella quickly caught up, wrapping her arm around his. Despite her complaints about the cold, her proximity only made him feel chillier.

What Estrella didn't tell Jason was that their friend Cole had given her a stern talking-to earlier, urging her to bring Jason inside before things escalated.

"And you're promising on his behalf because...?" Jason pressed.

Estrella quickly changed the subject, her tone turning playful. "You're still cold? Maybe I should help warm you up..."

Her flirtation earned a chuckle from Jason, who seemed to momentarily forget his annoyance. "You're impossible," he said affectionately, pulling her into a kiss that was both a concession and a reminder of their connection.

The cold that had settled between them began to thaw as they drew closer, their earlier argument forgotten in the warmth of their embrace.

Later, nestled in Jason's arms, Estrella listened as he half-jokingly asked for a written promise that she'd never love anyone else. Her response was a sleepy mumble, a reminder that their past promises were just words, easily made and easily broken. But in that moment, none of it mattered. They had each other, and for now, that was enough.

Jason was relentless, his voice firm with a hint of playfulness, "I don't care, you have to write one for me. If you don't, I won't be able to sleep tonight."

Estrella gave him no attention, continuing whatever she was doing as if he hadn't spoken.

Undeterred, Jason pressed on, a smirk likely playing on his lips, "If I can't sleep, I bet you won't be able to either."