?Chapter 986:


    Just as Ste was slipping her phone back into her bag, Lainey strolled up. From a few steps away, Lainey had already clocked Ste exchanging numbers with a guy she didn’t recognize.


    As Jeff walked off, Lainey bumped her with an elbow and gave her a sly grin. “Well, well,” she teased, eyes twinkling. “Step out for a bit and you’ve already got a cute junior trailing after you? He’s handsome, clearly smart, and looks like he’s got manners too. So? Gonna see where that goes? The way he looks at you — he’s very interested.”


    Ste rolled her eyes, not amused. “Lainey, please. He just wanted help with his project. That’s all. I’ve got enough chaos in my life already — romance is not on the agenda.”


    For her, love had definitely taken a backseattely.


    Lainey chuckled, undeterred. “Girl,e on. Best way to get over an old me is a new one. William’s great and all, but he was always so… chilly. This junior? Total opposite.”


    She knew Ste tended to keep to herself. And when she was with William, they were both too quiet. No spark, no color.


    Lainey figured someone with a bit more warmth might do her friend some good.


    Ste felt her cheeks flush and sighed. There was a flicker of irritation in her voice. “Lainey, seriously. I’m not in the mood. Can we not do this right now?”


    And with that, she started walking, motioning for Lainey to follow.


    Neither of them noticed the tall figure standing quietly behind a thick camphor tree nearby.


    William had wrapped up his work earlier than expected and hade to pick Ste up, knowing she’d be at the school event.


    He usually didn’t care much about where people went or who they were with — but when it came to Ste, it was different.


    Even going a day without hearing from her left him on edge.


    The second he found out she’d attended the anniversary, he’d headed over.


    But as he arrived, what he saw stopped him cold.


    Ste, sitting in the gazebo, looking totally at ease with a guy he didn’t recognize. She was smiling, rxed — more at ease than she ever seemed around him.


    And the way that guy looked at her? Yeah, no mistaking it.


    William felt something twist in his chest.


    Ste had said there was nothing going on between her and that guy, but Lainey’sment — William was nice, just a little cold — kept echoing in his mind.


    She hadn’t argued or tried to correct Lainey. Did that mean she thought Lainey was right?


    She said she didn’t have time for romance, but what was really on her mind?


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