Chapter 18

Hilary’s frown deepened as she slid into the backseat of Aaron’s car, her gaze fixed on the window. It was a simple act, a routine she’d repeated countless times before, but this time, it felt different. The air in the car, usually filled with the comfortable silence of a shared commute, felt thick with tension.

She couldn't shake the strange feeling that lingered between them, the undeniable energy that crackled whenever they were in the same space. It had been there since the morning, an invisible barrier that separated them despite their closeness.

Aaron shut the door with a soft click, the sound echoing in the quiet car. He then moved to the driver's seat, his movements smooth and controlled. But even his usual composure seemed to have faltered slightly. He turned toward her, his expression a mixture of curiosity and concern.

“You could have waited for me, you know,” he said, his voice a low rumble. “I’m always on time. It’s not like I’m late.”

Hilary’s gaze remained fixed on t