?Chapter 1724:


    When she didn’t immediately shut him down, something sparked inside him. Maybe — just maybe — he had a shot.


    “Josie, I really like you. It’s not just a fling. If you’re willing, I could even consider marriage.”


    Josie stared at him. Had he lost his mind, or was he just spouting fever dreams? But when she caught the brightness in his eyes — that raw, unguarded sincerity — a wave of unexpected empathy washed over her.


    She exhaled slowly. “Steven, I don’t want a rtionship right now.”


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    She had her life exactly as she wanted it — free, easy, unburdened by someone else’s needs and feelings. Her family wasn’t pressuring her to settle down, so why rush into anything?


    Hope flickered and dimmed in Steven’s expression, but he pressed on anyway. “What if you’re not against dating in general? What if you’re just against dating anyone who isn’t me?”


    Josie studied his face. “You must have dozens of women interested in you. Why me?” They barely knew each other, really. The handful of times they had crossed paths had all revolved around Ste.


    Steven closed the distance between them, stopping when barely a yard separated them. He went quiet, weighing each word before speaking in a low, measured tone.


    “Look, there are plenty of women out there. I’m not going to promise you’re the only one I’ll ever care about. But right now, you’re the one I want — so I’m not looking anywhere else.”


    He didn’t deal in empty promises. He simply wanted her to know what he felt, right here, right now.


    He paused, as though remembering something. “I know you go for the gentle type. The kind one. Give me a chance, and I’ll be whatever you need.”


    Hearing him circle back to it left her genuinely speechless. “Who told you I want someone like that?”


    “Ste. You two are best friends, aren’t you? She’s the one who told me.”


    Surprise flickered through her. She hadn’t expected Steven to suddenlyy his feelings bare — out of nowhere, offering himself up as some devoted, attentive partner just for her sake. But what truly surprised her was that Ste had been feeding him this information. When had she ever said she wanted that kind of man?


    When she stayed quiet, Steven took it as encouragement. “Josie, what do you say? Will you give me a shot?”


    Josie blinked, snapping back to the moment. “Steven, I’m really not in the mood for jokes. You —”


    He cut her off. “I’m not joking. Not about you.”


    His gaze burned with quiet sincerity. “You asked why I like you. Honestly? I can’t fully exin it. I just do. Feelings don’t always need reasons — but if you want one, here it is: from the moment I first saw you, I knew. You were the one.”


    Silence settled over the room like a heavy nket.


    Josie studied Steven’s face, caught off guard by the raw affection zing in his eyes. Somethingplicated and tangled stirred inside her chest.


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