~LAYLA~
The traffic began to move, but Axel didn't move immediately. He stayed frozen, staring at me as though he was seeing me for the first time.
A loud, impatient honk from the car behind us snapped him out of whatever trance he'd fallen into. He blinked, turned to face forward, and pressed the accelerator.
I couldn't help but smile at his reaction. "So," I said, settling back into my seat, "what's your response? Are we going to this gala or not?"
He said nothing. Complete silence.
"Seriously?" I turned to face him fully. "You're just going to keep quiet, huh?"
Still nothing. His jaw was set in that stubborn way I was beginning to recognise.
"Wow," I said, unable to keep the teasing note out of my voice. "I never took Axel O'Brien for a coward."
That got a reaction. His knuckles went white on the steering wheel, and I could practically feel the annoyance radiating off him.
I laughed, delighted that I'd finally cracked his stoic facade. "Oh, that got to you, didn't it?"
