“But why’s your face so freakin’ scary right now? Is it ‘cause that monster in your stomach’s ticked off ‘cause you haven’t fed it yet?” Ashley asked, her voice half‑teasing, half‑playful.

Truth was, she’d never seen Vance look this icy before. It was unsettling, almost chilling. Ashley couldn’t come up with any explanation except maybe he was starving and cranky—bad mood triggered by missing lunch.

Sure, a tiny part of her wondered if his sudden change of ...