Chapter 39

Xavier glanced at me briefly, his expression inscrutable. "I'm from South," he replied, conveying finality, ushering in a veil of silence once more.

"Today was the most I've ever heard you talking and laughing," Xavier remarked, his eyes briefly leaving the road to offer me a warm smile. "It was nice. I would like to hear it more often."

Caught off guard, I blushed and averted my gaze, prompting him to retreat slightly. It seemed like he had mentally scolded himself for speaking without a filter.

Clearing his throat repeatedly, fidgeting in the leather seat of his car, Xavier appeared to focus intently on the road ahead. "I'm just saying that it was nice to see you happy."

I held back the impulse to reach out and touch his hand resting in his lap, but his gaze remained fixed on the horizon beyond the windshield.

"It was nice to be happy," I whispered softly, watching the trees pass by through the passenger window.

Sensing his eyes on me, I refrain