Chapter 230 - Talk to JoAnna (3)

Jeff knows that Aiden realized: the reason he asked about how to know if you like someone… mystery woman who he talked about... is JoAnna. There is no point in denying it... and he does not want to deny it. He is ready for any type of consequences; he has to be… Jeff braced himself and faintly nodded.

Aiden's expression became complicated. He struggled to comprehend what is going on and how he feels about all this. Jeff just confirmed that he has a romantic interest in JoAnna. JoAnna is Sarah's sister. Jeff is his brother. So, he should be supportive. But there is Isabella and their parents. How can he support something that is doomed for failure before it even started? Aiden looked at Jeff for some time before asking: "How?"

Jeff sat at the edge of the bed with his head lowered. He took a deep breath and started blabbering. "In the hospital, she came to check on me. And she called me 'Big J'. It's a nickname that a little girl used for me many years ago. I think that was JoAnna. But that is not important... After that one checkup she didn't come again, there were other nurses... and I wanted to find out more about her... but there was no nurse with name 'Jo'. And then in the evening, on the street, she was sitting at the fountain, and I got her a hamburger, and she passed out and barfed all over my pants, and ended up sleeping in my bed and in the morning she ate my croissants... and then she left. I could not get her out of my mind, she was everywhere I looked, and I was desperate to find her. I sent her flowers to the hospital with my number, but she didn't call... Thinking that I will never see her again made me miserable. And the dreams..." Jeff paused and sighed. "Oh, how I enjoy embracing her in my dreams... but then I wake up and realize that I don't know if she even thinks about me. When I found out that JoAnna is Sarah's sister, I got Sarah's info from company files, and called their home. But JoAnna does not live there... and I came here hoping to figure out how to find her. I was determined that if this does not work, I will go to Franciscan Medical Center and just wait for her to appear, to catch a glimpse of her, but I didn't want to become a stalker. And now, finally, I could talk to her, but when I saw her face, I could not form any words..." Jeff raised his head and looked at Aiden. "What have I done?"

"It seems that you have fallen in love." Aiden sat next to Jeff.

Aiden needed time to process this information. His brother FINALLY fell in love. Jeff's strange behavior, all the symptoms; it all fell into place and made sense with one sentence which explains it all: Jeff is in love with JoAnna. This confirms that Jeff's heart is not made of stone… and Aiden should be happy for Jeff, but instead, he feels sorry for him. "What will you do now?"

"I'm going to Seattle, to see her." Jeff was determined.

Aiden was not sure what to say to that. Is Jeff not thinking about the consequences? "What will you do with Isabella? Our parents?"

Jeff confirmed Aiden's suspicion. "I really can't think of that now. I just want to go to Seattle. I need to see her."

Aiden was silent for some time, remembering Jeff's half-coherent babbling, and one thing stood out. "You said she slept in your bed?"

Jeff understood what Aiden is aiming at and explained quickly. "Nothing happened... She slept on the bed. I was on the sofa."

Aiden sighed in relief and then tensed. "What about Sarah?"

"Don't tell her." Jeff demanded.

Aiden frowned. "If she finds out that you are after JoAnna without clearing out mess with Isabella, and I knew and didn't tell her... even I will be in trouble." He didn't want to lie to Sarah, especially not about something that is related to her sisters.

Jeff waved his hand, dismissing Aiden's words. "Sarah is a sweet girl, and she loves you. How much trouble can it be?"

"Do you remember the clean-up that involved Liam and Noah during your birthday party?" Seeing that Jeff nodded, Aiden continued. "That was just Sarah. I didn't do anything."

Jeff was surprised to hear that. He would never think that a sweet girl like Sarah is capable of such cruelty. Aiden has no reason to lie. But Jeff does not have will or energy to think how Sarah will react to any of this. He wants to spend time with JoAnna, and to talk with Isabella and with his parents. "You can't tell her. Not yet. I need time." Jeff pleaded.

Aiden thought for some time before responding. "I will give you one week."

"I will take that." Jeff was not happy, it was too short, not enough. But he knew that he is pushing Aiden if he asks for more, so he agreed.

"In one week, I will tell Sarah. Remember that." Aiden reminded him.

"I will." Jeff nodded and stood up.

Aiden saw that he is getting ready to leave. "Where are you going now?"

"I'm driving to Seattle." Jeff confirmed.

"Now?" Aiden checked time. "It's six-hour drive, you will reach at midnight."

"That will give me six hours until her shift ends." Jeff was forming a plan. After JoAnna's shift ends, he will approach her and... he was not sure what his move will be after that, but he has almost twelve hours until then to decide what to do.

"As I said, I will not stop you." Aiden patted Jeff on the shoulder and left the bedroom.

Jeff was sitting in the room, stressed and relieved at the same time. He is relieved because he knows what he needs to do. And he does not want to think about any stress or potential obstacles now. He does not even care if JoAnna has a boyfriend. Jeff got out of the room and thanked Sarah and Aiden for their time before leaving.

Sarah was looking at the closed front door. "Where is he going?"

"To Seattle."

"Now?" Sarah was surprised, "What is so urgent that it can't wait for morning?"

"He figured out what he needs to do." Aiden didn't explain anything further.

"I thought he wanted to talk about projects?" Sarah remembered that detail... they didn't talk about work at all.

Aiden didn't respond. He hugged Sarah and distracted her by talking about dinner plans.