sneak peak? i'm still editing so this chapter may be out late but this is my favorite scene also we get a feature of another character i haven't mentioned in this chapter too! can you guess who?
"You barely even looked at me," Ash teased, stepping closer. "Come on, try again."
Serena clenched her jaw and forced herself to meet his eyes. She held the contact longer this time, but Ash could see every tiny flicker of discomfort - the way her shoulders stiffened, how her fingers twitched like she wanted to fidget.
Still smiling, Ash reached out without thinking, his touch slow and careful. Two fingers tilted her chin up, a feather-light nudge that made it impossible for her to look anywhere but at him. It wasn't rough or demanding - just a soft, steady reminder, warm and sure.
"There," he said, voice low, coaxing. "Relax. It's not a staring contest."
For a second, Serena just blinked at him, wide-eyed and startled.
But she didn't pull away.