Chapter 691

Levi’s jaw dropped, and for a moment, he simply stared at Neal in disbelief. “No way! You’re really dating someone?” Neal’s lips parted, but no words came out.

All eyes were on him now, wide and hungry for gossip.

“Well, look at that! Neal’s the first one of us to break free from single life!” Alex said, clicking his tongue in mock disapproval. “Why didn’t you share the news with us? Come on, man!”

Levi was relentless. “Yeah,” he shouted. “Why the secrecy?”

Gifford, usually the quiet one, suddenly leaned forward. “Come on, Neal, spill the beans. Give us a little scoop.”

Neal’s discomfort was palpable as he squirmed under the sudden attention.

“Back off!” he snapped, pushing them away, his cheeks tinged with an unmistakable blush. “What do you guys know about relationships, huh?”

“Bring her out already!” Levi, clearly undeterred, smacked Neal on the back. “You can’t hide her forever, Neal. You’ll have to introduce her eventually.”

Neal immediately shot to his feet. “Why should I? Forget it!” he muttered, heading straight for the door.

He practically bolted from the room, his steps fast and purposeful, like he was trying to outrun the inevitable.

As he swung the door open, there was a loud thud—he collided with someone coming in.

Bonita, who had been carefully clutching a box in her arms, quickly shielded it from being squashed.

When she looked up and saw Neal, her face flushed in an instant. Neal, equally taken off guard, felt the heat of embarrassment rise in his chest.

“Sorry,” he said, his voice quieter, softer now. “Are you okay?”

Bonita nodded, though her face was still burning. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

Neal stepped out of the way.

Bonita entered the room, confusion flickering across her face. “What was that about? Why was he in such a rush?”

Inside the room, a profound silence took over.

The lively, gossipy vibe was gone, and no one dared meet Bonita’s gaze. Everyone knew that Bonita had feelings for Neal, and now that he had a girlfriend, it felt like the final nail in the coffin. It was over for her. Poor girl, how heartbreaking it must be for her.

Bonita stepped into the room, juggling several boxes before setting them down on the table with a thud. She glanced around with a beaming grin and exclaimed, “Anyone in the mood for cream puffs?”

Sloane ambled over, plucked a cream puff from the nearest box, and popped it into her mouth.

At that moment, Bonita’s phone chimed from inside her bag. She fished it out, and her expression instantly transformed into a radiant smile.

Intrigued, Sloane couldn’t resist asking, “Hey, Bonita, are you seeing someone too?”

Bonita gave Sloane a wary look, her eyebrows knitting together. “Why the ‘too’?”

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