Chapter 7

"There's a new Hot Pot place I know you'd enjoy. You could take her there; I'm not fond of spicy cuisine anyway."

Nathan peered at the slip of paper in his grasp. The fading daylight played across his features, half-lit and half-obscured, making it challenging to read his expression.

"Olivia, you don't have to do this for my sake."

His fingers, gripping the receipt, quivered slightly, the tips whitening from pressure.

I feigned obliviousness and began spinning the fabrications I'd meticulously prepared.

"It's not solely for you."

I let out a rueful laugh. "I'm not worried about you mocking me. It's not just you—Mia, my mother, even our mutual friends. It seems everyone prefers her company to mine."