Ava's heart refused to calm down.
Not in the car or when the doors closed behind them.
Not even when the silence wrapped around them like it was too hard to breathe in.
Damian hadn't let go of her hand, not even once.
From the moment they stepped into the car, his fingers had remained wrapped around hers. it was firm, steady and warm.
And Ava…
Ava didn't pull away.
Didn't even think about it.
She sat beside him, her gaze fixed ahead, her breathing uneven despite how still she tried to remain.
Because now she couldn't lie to herself anymore.
She liked it.
No…
That wasn't enough.
She wanted it.
The feeling of his hand in hers.
The quiet reassurance of his presence.
The way her pulse reacted every time his thumb shifted slightly against her skin.
Her fingers curled just a little tighter around his.
A silent admission.
One she didn't dare put into words.
The car ride felt too short and too long at the same time.
