Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right by Rosie Steppe

Chapter 148

Chapter 148

I checked my calendar-Matthew's birthday was in three days.

Bringing up something heavy on his birthday? Yeah, no. I didn't want to mess up his big day, so I figured I'd visit him early, drop off a gift, and get it over with. That way, I wouldn't have to deal with it on his actual birthday. But before I could even get started, Wayne showed up.

I hadn't seen him since we left the amusement park, and honestly, I almost didn't recognize him.

"Did I turn into a coal miner or something? You don't even know who I am?" Wayne joked, throwing in some classic self-deprecation to break the ice.

Seeing him like this brought back memories of Hayden, and I couldn't help but smile. "If your mom saw you right now, she'd totally freak."

"Nah, she actually said I look more manly now," Wayne replied, clearly trying to keep things light.

I bit back a laugh. "You do have that whole rugged, manly vibe going on."

Wayne rubbed his face, grinning. "Glad you noticed."

Despite his attempts to keep things chill, I still felt a bit awkward, not really sure how to keep the conversation going.

I decided to

said, and that hit me right in the

me more than

visit them today," I said, hesitating before adding, "I also need to talk to

so I just laid it out. "Jace has been coming after the company I joined, doing everything he can to crush them-even stealing clients." Wayne didn't look

about it. And about you quitting?

-it."

he added, "I'm here today because my dad sent me to convince you. Rea... please, come back to

on his face, I couldn't help but smile. "So, if you don't complete your mission today, is your dad gonna

my third year with the Johnston family. Matthew had sent

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Chapter 148

+25 BONUS

was the first time I'd seen Matthew lose it like that, and he did it so

me watching, I could see the embarrassment written all over his

looked away, to give him a

wondered if he was thinking of

I-" I started to deny it, but Wayne cut