?Chapter 1157:


    “n,” the woman said softly, a touch of admiration lighting up her gaze, “why don’t we go shopping after dinner?”


    n declined with perfect politeness, “I’m afraid something’se up at home. Another time, perhaps.”


    In the adult world, phrases like “another time” often trante to “never.” n was fairly certain Sherry rkson had picked up on that.


    “Didn’t your mom say you were free today?” Sherry asked, ying dumb to his hint. “She even said we could hang out as long as we liked.”


    n was caught off guard. So typical. His mother had this infuriating habit of volunteering him for things without a second thought.


    “What my mom meant was that she didn’t have anything lined up for me today,” n rified, trying to stay civil. “But I’ve actually got some personal stuff I need to take care of.”


    “No worries, I’ll wait till you’re done,” Sherry replied, her smile soft and unfazed.


    n felt a surge of frustration.


    He genuinely thought he’d dropped enough hints for her to catch on.


    “Oh, by the way, your mom mentioned you’re into musicals,” Sherry added cheerily, still undeterred. “I’ve got two tickets for a show tomorrow. Want to go with me?”


    “Thanks for the offer, but I’ve got ns tomorrow. I won’t be able to make it. Sorry,” n declined, his voice firm. He lived by one rule—if there was no spark, he wouldn’t give others any false hope. A clean, honest no should’ve made his feelings clear.


    “Then just let me know whenever you’re free,” Sherry said easily, pulling out her phone. “Want to exchange contact information?”


    n didn’t budge. He was emotionally wrung out. If she’d been brash or aggressive, it would’ve been easy to shut her down. But she was kind,posed, and undeniably beautiful. He simply couldn’t bring himself to be blunt.


    After all, what if she really didn’t pick up on his subtle cues and was just taking everything at face value?


    “n?” Sherry prompted, her phone still in hand.


    ????t??st ch??pt??rs in g??lnoνels.??????


    n wavered, then reluctantly fished his phone from his pocket, his thoughts knotted in confusion.


    Exchanging contact information meant opening the door to future conversations. And if she asked him out again, how would he say no next time? Besides, he couldn’t help but feel like a jerk for turning her down again and again.


    Just as his mind was spiraling, his phone lit up with a call. Freya’s name shed across the screen, and a wave of relief swept over him like a lifeline.


    Realizing he might be overying his excitement, he cleared his throat and said to Sherry, “Sorry, I need to take this.”


    “Sure,” Sherry replied with a nod, her smile still intact. But a flicker of disappointment briefly danced across her face.


    n didn’t catch it. He answered the call without hesitation. “What? You were in a car ident?”


    Freya had no idea what n was rambling on about. She stood just outside the restaurant, thoroughly confused and more than a little thrown off. When had she ever said anything about a car ident?


    .


    .


    .