Chapter 48

Aiden's POV The air conditioning in the car was on full blast, yet Aria's cheeks grew redder by the minute,clearly affected by the alcohol. When the car stopped at a red light, I noticed she hadn't spoken a word since we'd left the restaurant, and the silence in the car felt unusually oppressive. For once, I found myself craving conversation. I stole a glance at her.She was doing something strange—her left hand pressed against the window, making small grabbing motions at nothing. When the light turned green and the car lurched forward, she lost her balance momentarily, her head bumping against the glass. She winced, her hand flying to her forehead, rubbing the spot with clumsy fingers. "Let me see," I said, reaching over to move her hand away. Her skin was warm beneath my touch—too warm. Her eyes, those captivating eyes, were glazed over with alcohol and something else I couldn't quite name. "Aiden?" she whispered, her voice soft and uncertain. There was no visible mark on her forehead