"Maybe you should check yours before mine. I could practically hear it from here," Noah smirked.
The challenge in his voice made Lola's eyes widen fractionally before narrowing with interest. "Is that so?"
"That's so."
They stayed frozen like that for several heartbeats, neither willing to retreat first, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a blade. Lola's ruby eyes searched his face with an intensity that suggested she was reevaluating everything she thought she knew about him.
Noah did not back down from the staredown; he watched her sigh before giving up.
Lola pulled back slightly, though her hand remained on his chest. "Well played, Noah."
Noah smiled as he watched her retreat, feeling a surge of satisfaction at holding his ground. Despite the small victory, he knew that she could have certainly maintained the staredown if she'd wanted to. As for the reason she pulled away, he wasn't entirely sure.
