Chapter 823

Just then, the waiter arrived with our dishes, interrupting my conversation with Josh. The warmth in the room was stifling. Even after I removed my jacket, I was still feeling too hot. I pulled at the collar of my sweater, trying to find some relief. Josh poured me a glass of water. As he handed it over, his gaze briefly lingered on my neck before he smiled lightly. "Nance, are you seeing someone?" "What?" I had lost count of how many people had asked me that question today. When Josh asked me that, I was momentarily taken aback. Then it hit me. I had inadvertently revealed the marks Bruce had left on my neck last night. I instinctively reached to cover my neck. My cheeks were burning once again, and my words tumbled out in a jumbled mess. "No, I couldn't possibly have time to date right now. You misunderstood, Josh. It's just... I got bitten by a mosquito last night…" But as I spoke, I realized how ridiculous that excuse sounded. I wasn't good at lying, especially when flustered.