CHAPTER SEVENTY SIX

ELLA'S POV

Our gazes remained locked, the tension crackling between us in the space. Trent's intense green eyes seemed to bore into me as his face began drifting closer. My breath caught in my throat when I felt the ghost of his exhale fan across my skin..

"You should...probably go check on your parents," I managed in a strangled whisper, fighting to keep my voice steady.

Trent didn't so much as flinch, holding my stare boldly. "That's true," he murmured in a low rumble that sent a shiver coursing through me. "But I don't think it's them. My mom would have already come barging up here by now."

I gave a nod, mouth suddenly dry. "Well, all the more reason you should go see who it is then," I insisted, struggling to inject some resolve into my tone. "It could be Lucinda."

One dark brow inched up. "And what would she be doing here?"

"How should I know that?" I fired back, feeling nettled all of a sudden. Hadn't he been the one to take her back?

Something flickered across Trent's expressio