Chapter 790:
“We’re going,” Morse said, his tone growing firmer, the edges of his expression sharpening just a bit.
Seeing the determination etched into his face, Chloe caved almost instantly. “Okay then. Let’s head back.” She turned to the rest with a sheepish smile. “Sorry for killing the mood. You guys keep enjoying yourselves—we’ll go on ahead.”
“We should all head back. Christina needs to get checked out too,” Dylan chimed in, still looking pretty unsettled.
Everyone else silently agreed, and Chloe, who had no desire to stick around any longer, gave a quiet nod. “Alright.”
On the way back, Chloe and Morse rode in the same car. The driver was behind the wheel, while the two of them sat quietly in the backseat.
Chloe wanted to sneak a glance at Morse sitting beside her on the left, but she was too scared he might notice. So instead, she kept her eyes glued to his perfectly sculpted profile reflected in the window. He looked like the very picture of quiet elegance and gentleness.
As she stared at his chiseled features, the self-conjured image of him giving her mouth-to-mouth popped uninvited into her head. Did that… count as a kiss? Chloe had assumed he wouldn’t even glance her way until they pulled into the hospital. But to her surprise, he turned his head—and behind those gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes held a look she didn’t quite recognize.
Their eyes met through the faint reflection in the glass, held in a strange, silent exchange.
A flush of anxiety surged through Chloe. Had he noticed her hidden feelings toward him?
But just before she could tear her gaze away, Morse beat her to it. He looked away first.
Honestly, Morse had meant to steal a glance at Chloe but ended up getting caught in the act. The damn reflection had given him away. His heart skipped a beat, and his left hand curled tightly into a nervous fist on his lap. Trying to keep his pride intact, he forced himself to look unaffected, as if it had been nothing more than a casual glance. His face stayed composed, masking his inner fluster.
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On the right, Chloe was just as rattled, her cheeks tinged with heat and nerves. Had he caught on to how intently she’d been watching him?
Neither of them said a word. They both acted like nothing had happened, even though their hearts were thudding in their chests. The car hung heavy with a thick, awkward silence.
Chloe desperately wanted to escape the claustrophobic tension, but deep down, part of her wished the space was even smaller, just so she could be closer to Morse. What she truly wanted was to feel the heat of his skin against hers, to erase every inch between them.
After what felt like an eternity, they finally pulled up at the hospital.
Morse was the first to step out, almost like he couldn’t get away fast enough. Chloe’s heart dipped just a little. Maybe he really didn’t feel anything for her after all.
Just as that deflating thought settled in her chest, her car door swung open. She looked up to see Morse standing there, his eyes unusually soft as they met hers.
.
.
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