?Chapter 703:


    Rutherford’s eyes shifted to Josie, and he gave her a polite nod.


    Josie offered a faint smile. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Mr. Schoenberg. Didn’t think you’de all the way from Briset just for Amanda’s birthday.”


    Rutherford raised his ss, voice cool. “I didn’te just for Amanda…” His words trailed off, gazending on Ste.


    Ste blinked and gave an awkward little smile.


    Josie quickly looped her arm through Ste’s. “Then we won’t keep you.”


    She led Ste to the terrace, leaned against the balcony railing, and turned with a smirk. “All right, spill. What’s going on with you and Rutherford?”


    It had been a while since theyst caught up, and it felt like Ste suddenly had men orbiting her likes.


    Ste stared out at the sunset, voice t. “We’re just friends.”<fnc043> This text is hosted at f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?</fnc043>


    Josie shot her a look. “You might see him as a friend, but he’s obviously hoping for more.”


    Ste sighed. “Don’t start, Josie. You’re starting to sound like Sharon.”


    “I’m serious. Rutherford’s a decent guy. If things with William aren’t going anywhere, why not give him a shot? You’re young. Date around. Doesn’t hurt to try.”


    Josie wasn’t like Sharon, who talked big about love but had never actually been in a rtionship. Josie had dated plenty.


    Her thing was simple—if she wasn’t feeling it, she’d end it without a second thought.


    Ste honestly admired that.


    “I’m grateful to Rutherford, and I appreciate everything he’s done for me… but there’s no spark,” Ste said quietly.


    She had thought hard about her feelings for Rutherford. Getting together without real feelings didn’t seem right.


    Josie sighed. That was the hardest part—when feelings just weren’t there.


    “But you do have feelings for William,” she said. “And how’s that working out?” She nced through the window and spotted William in the garden, one hand in his pocket, deep in conversation.


    Ste followed her gaze, eyesnding on his sharp profile. Her chest tightened. She looked away quickly, afraid she might lose control if she stared too long.


    “I’m fine being single. It’s not the end of the world,” she muttered.


    Josie let out augh at herment. “Stel, dating isn’t just about dinner and small talk. Being with someone helps keep you sane.”


    Ste thought back to the year after her breakup with Marc. She’d been constantly on edge, always irritable. Sharon had told her then to go find a new guy, let someone bnce her out. She hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but now Josie was echoing the same thing.


    Josie gave her shoulder a pat and said in a half-joking, half-serious tone, “Even for the sake of hormonal bnce, one should avoid staying single for prolonged periods.”


    It sounded way more practical than all that emotional, messy love stuff.


    Ste raised a brow. “You’re one to talk. Haven’t you been single for over six months? What about Steven?”


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