Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 74

But just as she stepped out of the restaurant, she saw Jonathan leaning against his Cullinan by the curb. The smoke from a freshly finished cigarette still hung in the air around him.

Stephanie froze. Jonathan stood there casually, his tall, lean figure drawing the eye. How could someone look so captivating even while smoking?

It took her a long moment to tear her gaze away. She started walking toward the bus stop to hail a cab when Jonathan’s voice cut through the air, tinged with irritation. “Am I invisible? I’m standing right here.”

Stephanie looked at him, confused. “Are you giving me a ride?”

“Don’t get too emotional. Get in.” Jonathan pulled open the car door. Seeing her still hesitating, he added, “Relax, I’m not going to eat you.”

After a moment's pause, Stephanie walked over to the passenger side.

Her conscience was clear, so there was no reason to be coy.

Jonathan started the navigation, which was set to the hotel Stephanie had been staying at a few days ago.

Stephanie turned her head, looking at him through a hazy fog. “I moved. The Obsidian Circle.”

Jonathan paused, stunned for a few seconds before an uncontrollable smile spread across his lips. “When did you move?”

He had no idea. They were living in the same community?

Stephanie leaned her head against the car window, her eyelashes fluttering softly. She stared out at the surreal, glittering world outside.

The neon lights danced across her fair skin. In response to his question, her expression was a little dazed, her movements sluggish.

As if in slow motion, she turned her head.

Under the warm ambient light inside the car, their eyes met unexpectedly. Stephanie smiled at him.

One look was all it took for Jonathan to know she was drunk.

He reached into the storage compartment, grabbed a blanket, and tossed it over her head.

A rich, cool, woody scent enveloped her, wrapping her up completely.

In the darkness, Jonathan watched Stephanie’s retreating back as she slowly made her way… toward his home.

Then, she opened the door.

The once dark townhouse was instantly flooded with light, glowing like a fairytale mushroom house in the night.

Never before had Jonathan felt that the cold house was slowly gaining warmth.

He, on the other hand, felt as if he’d been turned to stone, frozen in place.

Her last words before leaving echoed in his ears—I really am married. I wasn’t lying.

Jonathan hadn't had a drop to drink, yet at that moment, he felt dizzy and disoriented.

Something in his mind was rapidly connecting the dots, and his brain felt like it was about to overheat.

So, the wife his grandmother had arranged for him… was Stephanie?