These fancy hand–lettering supplies weren’t something you just picked up on a whim like a carton


    of milk. My first thought? She was probably getting them for Matthew too.


    Not even a week ago, Jace swore up and down he was done with Tanya, saying she was leaving


    thepany and that they wouldn’t be involved anymore. But now? Here she was, likely prepping


    for Matthew’s birthday, still very much in the picture.


    Good thing I never believed his crap in the first ce.


    Tanya was busy examining the set Mr. Parker gave her me, and I sure wasn’t about to make myself


    known. So, the other options.


    acting like she knew her stuff. She didn’t notice


    turned back around and kept browsing through


    I


    “Mr. Parker, are you sure this is the best? I’m gifting it to someone really important, and I can’t


    afford to embarrass myself,” Tanya asked.


    “‘best‘ is subjective, right? There’s always something better out there. But I can promise you, this


    set will impress and keep your reputation spotless, Mr. Parker reassured her smoothly.


    “True, Tanya muttered, “but I need this gift to really stand out. It has to be the best.”


    From the way she talked, it was obvious this gift was for someone who really mattered to her.


    “In all of Seavora, you won’t find a better selection of hand–lettering supplies than in my shop. No


    one will top this,” Mr. Parker said with a confident smile. “When they open this, they’ll know you put


    some serious thought into it.”


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    “Good,” Tanya paused before adding, “it’s for my future father–inw.”


    I almost froze when I heard that. Had she officially started dating Jace?


    But if that were true, why was Jace still putting pressure on my new employer? What game was he


    ying? It felt like he wanted to have it all.


    I shook my head, trying to shake off all the messy thoughts, and attempted to focus on picking a


    gift. But now, none of the sets on disy felt right anymore.


    Just as I was about to call it quits, a set in the corner of the cab caught my eye. Without even


    thinking. I spoke up, “Mr. Parker, can I check this one out?”


    “Go ahead, take whatever catches your eye,” Mr. Parker said, totally cool with me browsing.


    I couldn’t wait to get a closer look. I opened the cab and gently pulled out the set. As I ran my


    fingers over it, appreciating the craftsmanship, I suddenly felt someone standing next to me.


    “You’re getting something for Jace’s dad too?” Tanya’s voice came.


    The moment I spoke earlier, it had immediately caught her attention. I didn’t bother ncing her


    way. keeping my focus on the items in my hands.


    The set wasn’t thetest or shiest, but the craftsmanship was top–tier.


    After spending ten years at the Johnston ce, I knew what Matthew liked. When I first moved in,


    he’d


    invite me to join him while he practiced, trying to help me adjust during those rough first few


    months.


    Over time, I’d picked up more than a few things about these supplies, helping him with his practice


    sessions whenever I could.


    “Yeah,” I replied, keeping my voice t.


    But then Tanya added, “I’ve already picked out the best set for him. So… you might want to rethink


    that. Wouldn’t want us both showing up with the same gift, right? And…”


    She let her words hang for a beat before continuing, “Besides, I’m giving him the best, and if yours


    doesn’t measure up, it might seem like you didn’t put enough effort into it.”


    Wow, I almostughed out loud. Was she actually trying to help me?


    The set in my hands wasn’t anything over–the–top, but it had this quiet elegance. It fit Matthew’s


    style perfectly–nothing too bold, just ssic and dignified.


    That’s the thing about hand lettering supplies: they didn’t need to scream for attention to show their


    value.


    Tanya’s smug tone only made my decision easier. “Mr. Parker, I’ll take this one. Please wrap it up


    for me.”


    I finally turned to face her, catching the sour expression on her face–she was clearly not happy.


    “Ms. Twain, you give your gift, and I’ll give mine. No need to stress about whether mine measures


    up,” I said with a smile.


    Then, with a little extra sweetness, I added, “Besides, if mine doesn’t stand out, it’ll only make you,


    as the future daughter–inw, look even more thoughtful. Right?”


    Tanya’s face flushed bright red, and in that moment, it hit me–everything she’d said to Mr. Parker


    earlier was just her way of boosting her own ego.