Page 42 of Matched with the Hollywood Heartthrob (Matched for Love #4)

MIA

T he smell of fresh flowers wraps around me like a familiar hug as I restock a vase of white peonies near the window. Outside, the town of Bardstown hums its usual melody—quiet, steady, warm. My home.

It’s been six months since that day in the park. Six months of laughter, love, and long-distance calls that stretch into the early hours. Six months with Jack.

I smile to myself, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

He’s in L.A. right now, wrapping up the final scenes of his latest film.

Same project he started four months ago—the one Megan Hart is also on.

I still remember the first time he told me she was staying on.

I had braced myself for the worst, but Jack… he surprised me.

They had a long talk during their meetup. Jack didn’t sugarcoat anything with her, but she listened. She took his criticisms with grace and apologized for all her mistakes. Jack’s father openly forgave her, too. And in the end, they chose peace.

After this, Jack let her stay on the project.

They’re not best friends, not even close.

But something has shifted between them. The tension, the cold, the years of silence—they’ve softened into something like mutual understanding.

During one of my visits to their movie set in L.A.

, I watched them share a quiet laugh between takes.

Megan said something, Jack rolled his eyes, and they both smiled. It wasn’t forced. It wasn’t fake.

It was healing.

I fly out once a month to see him—and catch up with Nova, one of my new closest friends—and he calls every night without fail. He sends flowers with ridiculous notes, like “This reminded me of your hair that morning you woke up grumpy.” I frame the notes and tease him about how sappy he’s become.

The door chimes, and a customer walks in. I greet them with a smile, all the while my heart doing that little flutter thing it does whenever I check the time. Jack’s supposed to land tomorrow. He says he has a surprise.

I think back to everything—the matchmaking, the confusion, the hurt, the calla lilies, the town’s love, Jack’s public confession—and I’m still in awe of how everything changed. How he changed me.

And I changed him.

We’re not perfect. We still argue. We still struggle with distance. But there’s never been a day I’ve doubted the love between us.

Never been a moment I didn’t know we were choosing each other.

And honestly?

That’s more than enough for me.

I’m not the only one who’s happy, either.

It feels like everyone around me is finding some kind of peace and balance—and that makes my own joy feel complete.

Ryan kept his dental practice here and has done well growing it. We see each other around town, and it’s amicable, if sometimes awkward. Funnily enough, he started dating Mirta a couple of months ago. I truly wish them all the best.

Riley’s pregnant, and to be honest, I’m as shocked as I am happy.

I can’t wait to see her as a mom. Ethan’s over the moon.

And I know the Bardstown community will rally around her.

She’ll never be alone in this. Aunt Dotty would never allow it, especially when she’s already busy enthusiastically buying every baby item known to mankind.

Emma’s practice is thriving, and Sam continues to do amazing things for our town in his role at the fire station. She told me the other night they’re finally about to start trying for a family, and I cannot wait to be their little one’s new aunt.

My parents have also decided it’s finally time to stop meddling in my life and do something with theirs.

Chuckling, I pick up my phone and open the video they sent from salsa class.

It’s the funniest thing I’ve seen—they’re like tornadoes with feet.

Their teacher definitely has their work cut out for them.

But I’m glad they’re finding new hobbies.

Just as I put my phone down, it buzzes with a new text.

I grab it again, thinking it’s Jack, but seeing my sister Sophie’s name makes me smile even harder.

I miss her, but I know she’s off living her best life, married to a handsome prince.

If her life isn’t a fairytale, I don’t know what is.

Honestly, I really should consider becoming a matchmaker.

Hi Mia. Guess what? Graham and I are coming to Bardstown next month! I’d better get to meet Jack finally—I love his movies! Oh, and that he loves you. But his latest really is the best in the franchise.

Laughing, I start typing a reply, excited to see her soon. We chat for a few minutes before a customer walks in, and I have to go.

Later that evening, I’m contemplating closing early for the day when the bell over the shop door jingles again, cutting through the quiet hum of the space.

I glance up, expecting another regular with an order for something bright and cheery—but the sight that meets me catches my breath in my throat.

Jack.

He’s standing there, framed by the soft golden light streaming in behind him.

His hair is a little longer than the last time I saw him, tousled in that effortless way that makes him look like he just stepped off a movie set.

He’s wearing jeans, a simple white T-shirt, and that smile—the one that’s both cocky and tender, the one that’s only ever for me.

“Jack?” I gasp, the name falling from my lips like a whisper. “What—what are you doing here?”

He drops his bag just inside the door and steps toward me, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Surprise,” he says, his voice warm, familiar, steady.

I blink at him, still frozen, hands halfway between sorting dahlias and dropping everything on the counter. “You were supposed to land tomorrow.”

“Yes. But…” he grins. “I needed to see you a little sooner. I missed you. As soon as I wrapped up on set, I grabbed the first available flight.”

My heart stumbles over itself as I round the counter, and before I can stop myself, I’m in his arms. He lifts me slightly, holding me tight like he’s afraid I’ll disappear.

I bury my face in his neck and breathe him in—home, safety, Jack.

“You’re here,” I whisper. “I missed you so much.”

“I missed you more.” He kisses my forehead.

I pull back slightly, brushing a bit of travel lint from his shoulder. “How was the project?” I ask, searching his face for signs of exhaustion.

Jack smiles. “It went well. Better than I expected, honestly. I enjoyed it—being on set again, creating something that mattered. I can’t wait for it to be out so you can see it.”

I rest my hands on his chest, heart blooming with pride. “I’m so proud of you.”

His eyes soften. “You were part of that, you know. You showing up every month—even when the days were long, even when I was impossible to reach—you helped more than you think.”

I smile, then tilt my head. “And… your mom?”

His smile fades slightly, but there’s something different in his expression—lighter, almost amused. He exhales. “She drove me to the airport.”

My eyes widen. “She did?”

“Yeah,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck. “She even cried a little when we said goodbye. I wonder what that’s about.” There’s a small curve to his lips, like he’s not sure if he should be laughing or rolling his eyes.

I decide not to push.

Jack glances at the wall clock, then turns to me with a grin. “Think you can close up soon?”

I arch a brow, already reaching for the keys in the drawer. “For you? Always.”

He laughs, a low, warm sound that settles something deep in my chest. I flip the sign on the door to Closed and turn the lock with a final click. The shop goes quiet, the soft scent of dried lavender, peonies, and roses still lingering in the air.

Outside, the late evening breeze greets us, warm and gentle, tugging playfully at my hair as we walk to the car. Jack holds my hand like he’s never letting go, his thumb brushing slow, soothing circles into the back of mine.

By the time we pull up in front of my house, the sky has faded into a deep velvet blue, the first stars beginning to scatter across it. The porch light glows softly as we climb the steps.

“I stopped by that Thai place you like before I got to your shop,” he says, lifting two brown paper boxes from his bag and placing them on the kitchen counter.

I let out a laugh. “You came bearing gifts, huh?”

He grins, then reaches into the other bag he brought in. “And,” he says, with a dramatic flourish, “I brought reinforcements.”

I blink as he pulls out a bottle of deep red wine and holds it up proudly.

“You really came prepared.”

Jack shrugs, that cheeky smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I’ve been away for four months. I had time to plan.”

He’s already moving around the kitchen, setting out plates, lighting the little candle I keep in the center of the table—the one I almost never bother to light when I eat alone. I lean against the doorway and watch him for a second. He looks so at home here. Like this is exactly where he belongs.

“I’ll go take a quick shower,” I say softly.

His head turns toward me. “Take your time. I’ve got everything under control.”

As I head down the hallway, I pause and glance back. Jack is carefully opening the wine, humming under his breath as he checks the food containers. He looks peaceful—content in a way I haven’t seen before. And in that moment, I know: This is real. This is ours.

The water runs hot over my skin, washing away the ache of missing him, the months of counting down days and late-night video calls and longing that sat quiet and constant beneath everything. I towel off quickly, pull on a soft dress, and return to find the table set perfectly.

Candles lit.

Wine poured.

Jack, waiting for me with a look in his eyes that makes the whole world go still.

“Dinner is served,” he says with a smile.

We finish dinner slowly, caught between lingering bites and soft glances. Everything tastes better with him here. I don’t want the night to end.

After clearing the plates and laughing over who did more of the work—him ordering the food or me finding the wine opener—we collapse onto the couch. His arm finds its way around my shoulders, and I curl into him like I’ve done it a thousand times.

His heartbeat is steady beneath my cheek when he says, “I’ve been thinking.”

“Uh oh,” I tease, tilting my head up to look at him. “That sounds serious.”

He chuckles. “It kind of is. Don’t you think it’s time you met my dad?”

I blink, caught off guard. “Really?”

“And Harry. He’s my best friend,” he adds. “I want you to meet the two most important people in my life.”

My heart swells a little at that. “I honestly can’t wait. I’ve been meaning to meet your dad and thank him for raising the best man in the world.”

Jack laughs, the kind of laugh that makes my whole chest feel warm. “You’re giving him too much credit.”

“No,” I say, nudging his side. “I’m not. He did something right, because you… you’re everything I didn’t know I needed.”

He kisses the top of my head and holds me tighter. “They’re going to love you.”

I smirk. “They better. Or I’ll fight them.”

He laughs again, louder this time. “Harry might actually enjoy that. He likes chaos.”

“I can’t wait.”

I feel his warmth shift as he pulls away from me and stands by the couch. I frown, looking up at him, my heart tightening.

“Is everything okay?” I ask, voice soft but steady.

He shakes his head, eyes dark with something I can’t quite place. “No,” he says, low and earnest. “I’ve been restless, Mia.”

My brow furrows. “Why?”

He takes a slow breath, then looks back at me. “I want more. More from you.”

My pulse quickens. “How?”

Before I can say more, he sinks down on one knee right in front of me. My breath catches. He pulls a small jewelry box from his pocket, smooth and heavy in his hand.

I gasp.

He opens it carefully, revealing a ring—expensive, classic, sparkling with quiet brilliance.

I stare, heart pounding, overwhelmed by everything this moment means.

He looks up at me, his eyes shining brighter than any ring could ever sparkle. There’s something raw and real in his gaze that makes my heart pound in my chest.

“Mia,” he says softly but with so much conviction, “I want to be more than your boyfriend. I want to be your everything. Your husband, your best friend, your partner in all things. I want to wake up next to you every morning, face every challenge with you by my side. I want to build a family with you, to be the father of our children, to create a life filled with love, laughter, and even the hard days we’ll get through together. ”

He takes a deep breath, his hand trembling just a little as he holds out the small velvet box. “I want to be married to you forever. I want to be your family, Mia. Please… will you marry me?”

My breath catches, and my eyes fill with tears I’ve been holding back all evening.

The weight of his words, the honesty in his voice, and the love in his eyes overwhelm me.

I can’t stop the tears as they spill down my cheeks.

I sniff, struggling to keep my voice steady, but I nod so eagerly that it feels like my whole soul is nodding with me.

“Yes! Yes, Jack! Of course I will!”

His face breaks into the most beautiful smile, full of relief and joy. Slowly, carefully, he slides the ring onto my finger. It fits perfectly, shining like the promise it represents.

We lean into each other, and our lips meet in a kiss that tastes of everything we’ve been through and all the dreams we hold for the future. I feel his hands cradle my face, gentle and sure, as if he’s trying to memorize every part of me in this moment.

When we finally part, our foreheads rest together and we whisper softly, “I love you.”

The room feels warmer, fuller—like this is just the beginning of forever.