The silence between them stretched long after they left the estate.
Travis didn't speak as they walked down the long gravel path. His grip had loosened, but he still hadn't let go of her hand. The veins in his forearm stood out beneath his rolled-up sleeves. His jaw was locked.
The faint crunch of their steps was the only sound.
When they reached the car, he opened her door, still tight-lipped. Amara didn't move immediately. She just stared at him.
She stared at him for a long moment.
Travis blinked once, then frowned slightly. "What?"
She didn't answer. Her head tilted just a little. Her gaze stayed on him, like she was trying to figure out a riddle.
"What?" he repeated, this time softer. His voice carried a trace of exasperation, but there was confusion, maybe even worry beneath it.
Amara's lips twitched first. Barely at first. Then the faintest sound escaped her throat. It started as a quiet chuckle but within seconds, she burst into laughter.
Actual laughter.
