Chapter 23: Surprise

A heavy silence settled over the place as soon as the words left his mouth, thicker than the uneasy tension in the atmosphere. A pair of unsettled green eyes glanced around, trying to avoid catching the intent gaze of those two blue orbs. Seconds turned to minutes. The air was so brittle it could snap, and if it didn't, Zane might. Winter didn't utter a word, let alone give a reply. Zane could feel the fear in his chest wanting to take over. As the quietness grew stronger, the two of them could hear their hearts beating fast in rhythm. He let out a slow controlled breath and attempted to loosen his body movements. "I'm sorry if I pressured you by asking you out today. But I didn't want to delay my feelings or let you know from a third party." He ran a hand through his hair and pursed his dry lips. "And it's okay, you don't have to give me an answer now. You can take all the time in the world. I'm willing to wait, and it's different if you want to flat-out reject me, which would defi