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

"I'm doing well."

needed to convince herself. "That's

she was.

for someone?" she asked, clearly trying to fill the

chimed in.

always liked Rea. He's mentioned her before..." Her words trailed off as she

seeing her like this. It hurt, but I didn't know what to say. "Lindey, I'll go make my selection now," I

before she finally spoke. "Could you... could you come visit sometime? Matthew doesn't

I said after

honest near the end, and for all Matthew's wrongs, it felt like fate had already

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Chapter 785

said, her relief evident. "Let me know when you'll come, and I'll make gnocchi and all

excitement left me feeling heavy. I

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

walking away, though she kept

she was gone, Lena let out a long sigh.