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

Chapter 161

Chapter 161

Ever since I stopped being forced to practice hand lettering under Matthew's watch, I never bothered to do it on my own.

I mean, I wasn't exactly a kid anymore, but I was still just as lazy as one, dodging anything that felt like work whenever I could.

"Relax, just write. However it turns out, it turns out," Matthew said, holding the quill pen out to me again. How was I supposed to say no?

I'd held this pen before when I bought it, but now, taking it from him, it felt so much heavier.

Maybe it was all the ink-or maybe it was the way Matthew was staring at me, like he was expecting something big.

He wanted me to be that girl again. The one who used to write with a heart full of Jace, back when I was that kid always hanging out at their home.

I pressed the pen to the paper, but my hand shook. No matter how hard I tried, the strokes came out all wobbly.

I knew Matthew didn't actually care about my handwriting. What he really wanted was something deeper- he was trying to figure out where my heart was at.

"Embrace the present," he read aloud, his eyes scanning what I'd written.

he'd shared his thoughts, and I was just trying to

look. "I wish you the best." Then, out of nowhere, he stuck his hand out for

I pulled him into a gentle hug.

you through

a second ago, when Lindey was tearing into him, he stayed quiet-didn't admit a thing. But now,

tears

know all the

should know better by

get Jace under control,

but in every other way-It felt like we were as close as real

+25 BONUS

Chapter 161

"Thank you, Matthew."

wasn't just thanking him for standing up for me-I was thanking him for the love

over all these years.

say stuff like that.

"You and Lindey will always

in. "Good. When we go downstairs, I'll make it clear to Hayden-if he ever crosses the line with you,

first time I'd ever heard Matthew sound so