Act Like You Love Me (Jessica) novel Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Jessica’s POV

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He ignored my complaint, and drove slowly beside me, catcalling and pretending to woo me in with a theatrical gesture.

“Hey, gorgeous! Need a ride? My car’s got AC, tunes, and a driver who knows how to treat a lady right. Hop in-I’ll buy you designers, show you the world…”

He made a show of smoothing his hair back.

His ridiculously expensive car and the dramatic, occasional single-blast horn were starting to pull attention.

Students were slowing down, their whispers and curious glances drifting my way. Aaron, being Aaron, loved every second of

Knowing he could literally pull over, get out, and make himself known-drawing maximum attention and confirming every wild speculation about us.

I decided the fastest way to shut down the scene was to comply. I wrenched the passenger door open and slid inside.

Just as I was about to snap at him, demanding to know why he would cause such a spectacle, he pressed his finger to my lips, the ring wrapped around it cooling my skin.

“Jess, we both had an exhausting day. This isn’t the moment to yap.”

I glared so hard my eyeballs hurt, my breath hitching in annoyance.

“Oh, now you don’t want me yapping? When you already caused a scene back there?” I snapped, batting his hand away.

His smirk only deepened. He put the car in drive and smoothly pressed the accelerator, pulling away from the gawking students.

“At least now they know you’re beautiful enough to cause a disruption and can pull up anyone, including the campus bad boy. They know you’re not just the weirdo who hides behind baggy sweatpants and a stack of textbooks.” He winked.

I just sat there, gaping at him. His comment, delivered so casually, sent a sharp, electric shock of warmth straight through me, making my internal organs to garner for a party in my belly.

He didn’t realize-or maybe he knew exactly-how powerfully his words still had the ability to melt me.

He thought I was beautiful enough to cause a disruption.

“So, how was your day? How did your papers go?” he asked, genuinely interested, turning down the street toward the exit.

This was one habit, a ritual, we’d developed casually over the past years. Since I started living with him, Aaron made an effort to know about all my major tests and examinations.

He never failed to offer help, even if his advice often involved illegal hacking or bribery (which I always declined).

Sometimes, amid the warmth, I forgot this man was once the source of my deepest pain-the bully who’d made high school hell. But now? He was my rock.

I sighed and discreetly wiped my eyes before beginning to narrate everything to him-the grueling questions, the agonizing waiting period, the relief of the final bell.

I was deep into it, gesturing wildly, when I realized we’d stopped-not at home, but at a drive-thru burger joint, the neon sign glowing “Burger Haven.”

13:14 Mon, Jan 12 &

Chapter 42

My eyes went wide. The interview.

I turned to Aaron, the my chest heaving heavily.

“What-?”

His brows furrowed with concern. “What’s wrong?”

“Aaron, you have to take me back! I…” I rambled, fumbling with the seatbelt, panic rising. “I have an interview at the Red Column in like, ten minutes! Turn around-”

Aaron was oddly calm, which only infuriated my already frantic state.

“Jess,” he called softly, but I was still rambling, pushing hastily at the seatbelt release.

“Jess-Jess…” He tried again, but I was now spiraling, door half-open, ready to bolt.

“Jess!” he called, the volume and command in his voice finally cutting through my noise.

Out of pure stress, I snapped, practically shouting, “What is it?! What… What?!”

The realization of my tantrum hit immediately. I mumbled a quick, mortified “Sorry,” and sank back, my cheeks flaming with shame.

Aaron stared for a beat, then broke the silence.

“Did you do a research about The Red Column Press hub?

I shook my head subtly, suspicion creeping in alongside curiosity. “Why?”

“Jess, they’ve been in financial limbo for the better part of two years, barely paying their freelancers, and their editor is facing multiple plagiarism lawsuits.”

“But everyone knows them around Arcadia. They still publish newspapers and local magazines-deliver real community

news.”

Aaron exhaled, resting his elbow on the console and turning fully to me.

“Listen, Jess. I know you’re excited and can’t wait to leave the diner, but you still have two months before summer is over. I can help you find a much more reputable press house. One that won’t mess up your C.V. and credibility when it’s time for you to actually get out there and land your first serious job.”

The panic subsided, replaced by a massive, comforting wave of relief and gratitude. He had saved me from wasting my time and potentially damaging my career prospects, all without having to ask.

My chest bloomed with warmth. I leaned over the console, and pulled him into a tight, quick hug.

“Thank you, Aaron. Thank you.”

He chuckled, and rubbed my back briefly.

“You’re welcome, flower. Now, let’s go find a place that serves food that hasn’t been fried in three-day-old oil.”

We ordered double cheese and bacon for him, a loaded veggie patty for me-and drove back home munching, the warm. savory smell of the burgers filling the car.

The tension from earlier completely dissolved into easy, comfortable chatter. But even in the quiet moments between bites, his unwavering support lingered, a potent reminder of how far we’d come.

13:14 Mon, Jan 12

Chapter 42

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ture, one

He wasn’t just the guy who defined the pain of my past; he was now the one actively shaping my future, one deliberate, kind act at a time.

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