Chapter 124

*MARY’S POV*

My breath hitched, and I felt the sincerity behind his words. The playful glint in his eyes faded, replaced with something deeper, something I hadn’t seen before. We stood there, close enough to feel each other’s warmth, the silence filling with words we didn’t say.

But, as quickly as the moment appeared, it slipped away. Josh straightened, stepping back with a soft smile. “Thanks for checking on me,” he said, his voice gentle but with that usual humor tucked in at the edges. “Guess I owe you one.”

I managed a small smile, trying to ignore the lingering flutter in my chest. “Yeah, you do,” I replied, raising an eyebrow. “Next time, maybe try not to mess with my head?”

He laughed, holding up his hands in surrender. “Deal. But only if you keep coming to check up on me.”

And with that, I walked out of his office, still feeling his hand on my waist, his face close to mine, the sound of his laughter in my ears. And though I’d never admit it, a part of me was already looking fo