Brandon's POV
I climbed into my truck, and the door groaned shut behind me. Ashley was already in the passenger seat. Her arms hugging herself, shoulders trembling with every shaky breath. She was shivering—hard.
I let out a breath, then shrugged off my jacket and held it out to her without a second thought.
"Oh no, no," she said, gently pushing it back. Her eyes were timid, avoiding mine.
"You can have it," I offered sincerely. "You're freezing."
She hesitated again, visibly resisting, and I stared at her in disbelief.
Was I really that intimidating?
"I just offered you a jacket and you're acting like I asked for your soul."
Still, no reply. Just the sound of her shaky breath and the distant hum of the engine.
"Why?" The word came out sharper than I meant, laced with frustration I didn't know I was carrying.
Before she could form an excuse, I turned toward her completely, my gaze locking on hers—even as she tried to avoid it.
