The heavy, awkward stillness between them felt like it was pressing down on her chest. She had completely pulled back into herself, the desire to fight him for answers entirely drained out of her. Noah didn't let the silence stay cold. He was too smart not to notice the way she had completely shut down after he flipped that phone over. He moved closer on the long cushions of the couch, his massive frame completely crowding her space. He didn't mention the call, and he didn't apologize for his deflection from the night before. Instead, he just reached out, his large, warm hands settling gently onto her bare shoulders. "Look at me, Ava," he murmured, his voice deep and steady. She turned her head slowly, meeting his dark eyes. There was no distance in his gaze right now. He was looking at her with an intensity that felt almost heavy, his thumb tracing the line of her collarbone in a slow, deliberate circle. He stayed completely attentive, observing the tight set of her jaw, resp
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