Liana's POV

The words still hung between us.

> "You should stay the night."

I didn't know who was more shocked between the two of us—him or me. The moment they escaped my lips, a flush crawled up my neck. The air in the car became thick, like clouds gathering before a rainstorm.

Stanley didn't flinch for a beat.

His expression was unreadable. Not smug. Not surprised. Just. searching.

"Liana," he replied finally, his voice low, gentle. "I don't want you to ask me that ...