Miles replied automatically, "I’m fine."

But he regretted it the moment the words left his mouth. To Zoe Pierce, his "I’m fine" probably sounded like a poor attempt to cover something up.

So much so that he immediately blurted out, "Is it that obvious?"

Words, once spoken, couldn’t be unsaid. Miles immediately pressed his lips together.

Zoe didn’t answer whether it was obvious or not. She just looked at him and said, "I think you’re wonderful, Miles."

"You’re outstanding, responsible, kind, and amazing." Zoe rattled off a string of compliments.

Even though she hadn’t been able to hear what Miles’s father said to him this time, unlike the last, she could easily imagine the tone he’d used.

Miles was, without a doubt, the most level-headed and responsible person on the team.

She was simply trying to tell Miles, from her perspective, that his actions were praiseworthy. He wasn’t lacking at all; in fact, he was always the one who provided a safety net for everyone else. His father’s judgment was unfair. He was already outstanding.

Her expression was sincere, her eyes fixed on him earnestly, as if she were afraid he wouldn’t believe her.

A small smile touched Miles’s lips. ’So this is how she sees me?’

’Responsible, reliable.’

These words sounded like the assessment of a friend.

"And what about your opinion as an Omega?"

’If she were to judge me purely based on our designations, what would I be like in her eyes?’

Zoe answered without a moment’s hesitation, "Extremely charming. Any girl who had you as a boyfriend would be incredibly happy."

’Miles had his own unique brand of gentleness, no romantic scandals, and was reliable and considerate. He never spoke harshly to anyone, and on top of all that, he was an S-Class Alpha. From any angle, he was the perfect man for any Omega.’

She meant every word of her praise.

The words were on the tip of Miles’s tongue, and he almost blurted them out. ’Then... what if I were your boyfriend?’

He felt that perhaps the intimacy of being alone with her was what was tempting him.

He quickly composed himself, catching the words before they escaped, and asked in a low voice, "Well, have you ever thought about it? What kind of Alpha you’d want to be with in the future."

’Anyone could see her mind wasn’t on things like that right now.’

’But someday... that time would have to come, right?’

Miles’s question made Zoe consider something she’d never thought about before.

’The future...’

Zoe found it difficult to imagine what a future boyfriend of hers would even be like. She looked at Miles and suddenly smiled. "You guys set the bar pretty high, you know."

Back when they were all still treading carefully around one another, Zoe hadn’t had the slightest romantic thought about any of the Alphas on the team. Even when looking at their handsome faces, she’d made a habit of ignoring them.

But now, taking a step back to really look at them, she suddenly realized—you had to admit it!

’They were all handsome in their own way.’

’Sure, they’d been a bit annoying at first, but after spending so much time together and clearly feeling how much they looked out for her, she’d grown fond of them.’

’It was just like she’d said. They’d raised the bar.’

’It would be strange for anyone’s standards not to get higher in an environment like this.’

"I haven’t even thought about it," she said. "I’m still focused on dealing with my brother’s situation, and then there are the joint exams..." ’All of those things seem more important than dating, don’t they?’

Miles pressed, "But what if you had to think about it?"

Zoe wanted to say that not everyone has to date, but since Miles was insisting, she replied, "I guess I believe that companionship is the most enduring form of happiness."

"Looks and family background just need to be acceptable. Maybe we’d need to have similar worldviews and be able to talk easily?"

She thought of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Pierce. They had loved her so dearly, yet they had left her far too soon.

She used to hear the saying "The most enduring confession of love is constant companionship," but she never took it to heart. Yet, after suddenly losing her parents, left with only fragmented memories to recall them by, Zoe found that she finally believed it.

She didn’t believe in love at first sight; she believed in the feelings that grow from long-term companionship.

"At the very least, he’d have to support my work as the team’s Comfort Officer," Zoe said, suddenly remembering her contract with Miles and the others. "If I really fell in love with someone, would you guys let him join the team?"

"No," Miles said abruptly, his eyes on Zoe’s face.

’Why would we ever agree to that? To let some strange man come in and make our lives difficult?’

She seemed surprised by his answer, but she quickly brushed it off. "I guess you’re right. I should just focus on work."

’They pay me a handsome salary every month, after all.’

’I haven’t even thought about dating anyone yet anyway.’

Miles said, "But... companionship is the most enduring form of happiness."

"I think you’re right about that."

He knew just how much self-interest was coloring his words.

And if they were talking about time limits, Miles had to admit in that moment just how right they’d been to have Zoe sign an exclusive team contract.

’No one would be by her side longer than them.’

’They had all the time in the world to show her the true meaning of companionship.’

As they were speaking, footsteps sounded from outside.

Before anyone entered, a voice called out, "What are you two talking about?"

Both of their gazes snapped to the doorway, where Chase Shaw and Erin Xavier were walking in.

"Did I just hear you two talking about ’happiness’ and something being ’right’?" Erin asked, grinning as his gaze shifted between Miles and Zoe.

’The word "happiness" certainly left room for the imagination.’

Chase also lifted his gaze to look at them.

Zoe explained, "Miles just asked me what kind of person I’d want for a boyfriend in the future, so I was just telling him."

If she hadn’t explained, it might have been fine. But her explanation made Erin, who had only been asking casually without expecting a real answer, freeze for a second. Then he pressed on, "What did you say? Do tell."

Chase’s gaze shot straight to Miles.

’Miles... asking Zoe something like that?’

A sense of foreboding crept into his heart.

’Is Miles the type to meddle in other people’s business? Absolutely not.’

’Could it be... that he’s realized it? That he’s realized his feelings for Zoe and is starting to test the waters?’

"I just said that it’d have to be someone who could be by my side for the long haul."

"But then I asked him if I found a boyfriend, would Miles agree to let him join the team, and he said no." Zoe threw up her hands. "So it looks like dating is off the table for the foreseeable future."

Whatever they might have been thinking before, in that moment, both Chase and Erin agreed: Miles was right.

Erin said, half-joking and half-serious, "Well, if we’re talking about companionship, then you’d have to choose one of us, right?"

’He’s trying to set me up!’

Zoe’s eyes locked onto Erin. "Don’t make jokes like that."

Erin pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth for a few seconds. "But I’m not joking."

He leaned in close to Zoe, his wide eyes sparkling with mirth, though he still seemed to be teasing. "We’ll be with you for a very long time. So, out of all of us, who do you think is the most suitable?"

’Suitable... to be your partner.’