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

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"Wrap it up in a gift box-it's for someone," Lindey told the clerk. She turned, and the moment her eyes landed on me, her voice wavered. "Rea."

"Hi Lindey." I said, stepping toward her.

Her eyes filled with tears almost instantly. "Rea..

That was all she managed to say. Just my name like she had so much on her mind but couldn't get the words out.

1 studied her quietly. In just a few months, her hair had more streaks of gray, and her face. looked tired, drained of life. The spark in her eyes was gone.

I didn't need to ask how she'd been. Matthew's illness, the tension between her sons, the family crumbling-it was written all over her face.

It all seemed to unravel after I broke up with Jace. They say a peaceful family brings prosperity, and looking at her now, I finally got it.

been?" she asked after a long

"I'm doing well."

nodded quickly, almost like she needed to convince herself. "That's good. That's really

didn't ask how she was. The answer was

artwork for someone?" she asked, clearly trying

grandpa's birthday," Lena chimed in. "Rea's

to Edison's?" Lindey's voice cracked slightly. "That's wonderful. Edison always liked Rea. He's

but I didn't know what to say. "Lindey, I'll go make my

you come visit sometime? Matthew doesn't have much time left. He really wants to

I said after

near the end, and for all Matthew's wrongs,

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Chapter 785

me know when you'll come, and I'll make gnocchi and

me

for my selection. "Let me handle it," she insisted. "Lindey, no," I said firmly. "It's a gift from me. It only counts if I pay for

walking away, though she kept glancing back over her

was gone, Lena let out a long sigh.