Amelia felt the subtle stiffness in the air the moment she had walked closer. Like something unseen had tightened between three of them.
It wasn't loud or obvious, but it was there —lingering and pressing, undoubtedly.
For a brief second, she thought she might be imagining it. Because when she turned to look at Adelyn, nothing seemed out of place.
She was simply standing there like always —calm, composed, unbothered.
As if she had simply been waiting in the parking lot … nothing more and nothing less.
Not tension.
No discomfort.
No sign of anything unusual.
Was she overthinking it …?
Before she could decide, her gaze shifted and landed on Xavier.
And she almost froze.
His expression was nothing like Adelyn's. There was something restrained beneath it —something sharp and heavy.
His jaw was set, gaze fixed —his entire presence carrying an unmistakable edge.
And the way he was staring at Adelyn … it was far too intense for a casual encounter.
