"Do you really not like me—in a romantic way?"
The question struck Rihaan without warning. His breath caught in his throat, and for a brief moment, he forgot how to breathe at all. He stared at Soren, his gaze softening despite himself, tracing every familiar line of the omega's face before his lips finally parted.
"What if I do?"
Soren blinked.
"Ha. Ha. Ha." An awkward laugh escaped him, forced and hollow. "You are very funny."
Rihaan raised an eyebrow, leaning closer, close enough that Soren could no longer ignore his presence.
"Who said I was joking?"
Soren's jaw parted slightly. He hadn't expected that—not from Rihaan. He quickly averted his gaze, heat rushing to his cheeks, his pulse betraying him.
Did that mean Rihaan had just… confessed?
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
