Act Like You Love Me (Jessica) novel Chapter 66

Chapter 66

Chapter 66

Jessica’s POV

“Hey, Jess. You need to stop worrying, okay? Everything is going to be fine.”

I forced my bouncing legs to go still and turned toward Aunt Lydia.

She looked surprisingly relaxed, leaning her head back against the airplane seat with her eyes closed.

“You think?” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the cabin noise.

My worry had skyrocketed when I discovered Aaron was indeed living in Los Angeles.

After years of deliberately avoiding the internet or any media that might flash his name-sports highlights, celebrity gossip, anything I’d finally caved last night.

Curled up in my bedroom late at night, I’d typed his name into the search bar with trembling fingers.

What I found blew me away. His life had transformed into something out of a dream.

He wasn’t just a player anymore; he was a superstar, owning his own firm dedicated to scouting, training, and educating young athletes.

Photos of him on red carpets, shaking hands with NBA legends, and cutting ribbons at state-of-the-art facilities filled the

screen.

His awards cabinet must be bursting with trophies and medals.

It warmed my heart in a way I hadn’t expected, a swell of pride that made me smile through the ache. He’d done it; he’d built an empire just the way he had always wanted.

A part of my soul ached with regret, wishing I was still in his life to celebrate those victories. To cheer from the sidelines like I used to, or share quiet moments over late-night talks in our room.

Rumors swirled that he hadn’t lost a game in the last six years. His club worshipped him for it, treating him like the golden ticket to championships.

But there was a glaring silence where I expected noise.

Despite the flood of info on Aaron: his workouts, his charity events, his business expansions-there was zero about Fiona. Not a single photo of them together, no mentions of engagements or breakups.

Her fashion brand, which had been buzzing back in college, didn’t pop up anywhere. No runway shows, no endorsements, nothing. It was like she’d been erased from existence.

Fishy, right?

The Journalist in me itched to dig deeper, to uncover whatever scandal or fallout had scrubbed her from the spotlight. But ! switched the desire off.

I didn’t want anything to do with the Tyrones-not yet.

“Momma,” Adrian mumbled sleepily, snuggling deeper into my neck.

I held him tighter, my arms wrapping around his small frame like a shield. If I let go, even for a second, it felt like he might slip away-into the unknown of this move, or worse, into Aaron’s world if fate decided to intervene.

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Chapter 66

The captain’s voice crackled over the intercom, announcing our descent into LAX.

When the plane finally touched down, the screech of tires on the tarmac felt like a starting pistol.

Adrian’s eyes fluttered open, and in an instant, his drowsiness vanished, replaced by wide-eyed excitement.

“Momma, we’re here! In LA! Can we see the Hollywood sign? Or the beach? Or-”

“Easy there, buddy,” I said with a light scold, ruffling his hair as we unbuckled. “Stay right by my side, okay? No wandering off in the airport-it’s huge, and I don’t want to lose you in the crowd.”

He nodded vigorously, but his bounces as we deplaned told me he’d need reminders every few seconds.

We collected our carry-ons and headed to the taxi stand. We’d already shipped the heavier luggage through a moving service days ago, so it was just us and these rollers now.

The taxi terminal was a mess of aggressive honking and the thick, oily smell of exhaust.

I flagged down a cab and we slumped into the back seat. I slid a crumpled scrap of paper through the partition.

The driver didn’t even look at me, just took the paper.

“Here,” I said, my voice sounding as worn out as I felt.

As we pulled away from the curb, Los Angeles unfolded around us like a movie set.

Palm trees swayed against a smog-tinged sky, while billboards screamed about blockbusters and beauty products.

The air was thick with a mix of ocean salt, street food, and that desperate kind of ambition you only find here.

It smelled like a second chance, but it also tasted like looming danger. Aaron was out there, somewhere in this sprawl.

I’d have to tread carefully, keep my head down and stay invisible until I was ready to be seen.

591

The drive took us through bustling freeways and quieter suburbs, finally depositing us in our new neighborhood. It was beautiful-tree-lined streets with manicured lawns, colorful bungalows, and a sense of peace that contrasted the city’s chaos.

Kids played basketball in driveways, and passerby waved as they passed.

Our boxes were stacked neatly in front of the door, the movers having arrived three hours earlier.

Their truck idled nearby, engines rumbling as the crew wrapped up. We piled out of the cab, and out of kindness, the driver helped lug our suitcases to the stoop.

“Thank you so much,” I replied, adding a generous tip to his fare.

He nodded appreciatively and drove off.

I turned to the movers, who were securing straps in the truck begl.

“Thanks, guys,” I said, leaning against the doorframe. “I’m just glad everything made it here in one piece.”

One of them, a young man wiping sweat from his brow, smiled back.

“No worries. Your neighbors seem really nice. A couple of them stopped by to chat while we unloaded. Congrats on the

move!”

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Chapter 66

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I wished them a safe journey home, and they pulled away, leaving just me, Aunt Lydia, and Adrian standing on the threshold.

“Wow, Momma! This place is way more beautiful than our old one,” Adrian exclairned, his eyes wide as saucers, taking in the sunny patio and the flowering vines climbing the trellis.

I chuckled and nodded. “It really is, baby.”

Deep down, a shift was happening in me. For years, I’d been in survival mode, hoarding every cent and living like the floor was about to fall out from under us.

But seeing that look on his face? I was done just “getting by.” I wanted this-the space, the safety, the life he deserved.

The rent was a stretch, but it wasn’t impossible.

I just needed to land one of the roles I’d been hunting for. I’d spent the last three nights hunched over my laptop until 4:00 AM, firing off resumes to every digital newsroom and media agency in the city.

My inbox was a ghost town for now, but I only needed one person to say yes. I wasn’t just looking for a paycheck anymore; I was looking for the career that would keep us here.

“I’m incredibly proud of you, Jess,” Aunt Lydia’s voice broke through my thoughts.

I turned to find her smiling at me, her eyes shining with genuine admiration.

My heart swelled. “Thank you, Aunt. All of this… it’s just for you and Adrian,” I murmured, pulling her into a quick hug before unlocking the door.

We stepped inside, and the apartment welcomed us with open arms. It was spacious and bright, with high ceilings and hardwood floors that gleamed under the afternoon sun streaming through large windows.

The living room opened to a modern kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.

Two bedrooms branched off a short hallway: one for me and Adrian to share initially, the other for Aunt Lydia, complete with an en-suite bath for her comfort during recovery.

A small balcony overlooked a communal garden, perfect for morning coffee or Adrian’s playtime. It felt like a real home, not just a stopover.

We spent the first two hours resting. Then, reenergized, we dove into unpacking.

Boxes were slit open, contents sorted with Adrian’s enthusiastic help.

“This goes in the kitchen, Momma!” he’d declare, hauling pots like a little Hercules, his laughter echoing as we arranged shelves and hung pictures.

We were nearly done when the doorbell chimed, a cheerful ding-dong that made us all freeze and exchange glances,

“I’ll go see who it is,” I said, wiping my hands on my jeans and heading to the door.

I checked the peephole first, then cracked the door open.

Standing there was a couple with wide, welcoming smiles and a plate of cookies that smelled incredibly warm, buttery, and exactly what I needed.

“Hi there!” the woman beamed, her curly hair bouncing as she thrust the plate forward.

“We’re the Blakes. I’m Ella, and this is my husband, Tony. We’re your neighbors from next door, and we wanted to give yoưa warm welcome to the building.”

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Chapter 66

Haughed, my heart instantly lightening at their genuine kindness. “Thank you so much, Ella, Tony. I’m Jessica. It’s great to meet you.”

Ella’s eyes sparkled. “These are my special chocolate chip cookies. Figured you’d need a little sugar after all that moving

“I’m flattered,” I said, taking the plate with a grin. “They smell amazing. Thank you again.”

On impulse, I added, “Hey, why don’t you come over for dinner later tonight? Nothing fancy, just salad and pasta, but it’d be

nice to chat.”

They exchanged a quick look, then nodded eagerly. “We’d love that,” Tony said, his voice warm and easy. “Around seven?”

“Perfect.” We said our goodbyes, and I shut the door.

I felt a strange, unfamiliar sense of belonging. Maybe I could have a beautiful life here.

“Who was that?” Aunt Lydia asked as I returned to the living room.

“Our neighbors, the Blakes. They brought cookies as a welcome gift.” I set the plate down and called out, “Adrian! Come here, sweetie.”

He bounded in, eyes lighting up at the sight. I broke off a piece for myself, and handed the rest to him.

“Here you go, but save some for later.” I didn’t offer any to Aunt Lydia; the doctor had been clear about her avoiding processed sugars and snacks ahead of surgery.

We powered through the last of the unpacking, folding clothes into drawers and setting up Adrian’s toy corner.

Exhausted but satisfied, I headed to the kitchen to prep dinner.

While I was tossing a fresh salad, my phone buzzed on the island, and the screen lit up.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw the “New Email”. badge from a major media agency I’d applied to.

I dropped the tongs and grabbed the phone with trembling fingers.

As I read the message, my eyes widened and I nearly dropped the device.

They didn’t just want to meet; they were impressed by my portfolio.

All those late nights and the deep-dive investigative pieces I’d sweated over had actually paid off. They wanted me in the office this Monday at nine sharp for the interview.

I let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding. Apex Media & News Corp. They were massive-independent, prestigious, and exactly the kind of place that could give me the platform I’d always dreamed of.

This was it. The clean break I had prayed for.

“Everything okay, Momma?” Adrian asked.

I looked at him, then at Aunt Lydia, who was watching me with hopeful eyes. I felt a surge of pure, unadulterated relief.

“Yeah, baby,” I said, a genuine, teary smile breaking across my face. “Everything is perfect. Momma got an interview.”

I tapped out a quick confirmation, my hands finally steady. I was going to prove that I could make it in this city on my own merit, far away from the shadows of my past.