Chapter 24 Unexpected Searing Slaps

• The room was suddenly filled with an uncomfortable silence, broken only by the sound of the fallen bouquet hitting the floor. Marisa suddenly became nervous, and the tension in the air was palpable.
• Dave, his face a mix of disbelief and hurt, finally managed to find his voice. "Hey, Marisa, you never told me your boyfriend was around," he said, his tone a mixture of hurt and sorrow.
• Marisa stammered, struggling to come up with an explanation. "He's not my boyfriend, Dave. And it's not what it looks like."