Chapter 46. Last One

Joan POV

I listened to Matthew ramble on about his mother. His mother. Calling it boring felt like an understatement. I knew I’d regret this the second I agreed, and now, halfway through the date, I was wishing I could teleport back home.

Has he always been this dull?

“…She was really surprised that night. My siblings and I were happy we were able to do that for her,” he said, taking another sip of his drink. He’d brought me to a local Chinese restaurant, which was fine—if he’d bothered to ask if I even liked it here.

His eyes flicked to my plate. The steak sat there untouched, glistening under the dim restaurant lights. I hadn’t had a chance to place my order. Matthew, in all his wisdom, had just assumed I was a steak lover.

“You’re not eating,” he said, his tone unsure. I nodded, leaning my chin on my hand.

“Well, I don’t really like steak,” I said flatly, watching as his face turned a faint shade of red. He shifted in his chair, suddenly