~ALLISON~
My eyes stayed fixed on my empty plate, the silence between us thick and heavy. Beside me, Ash's gaze bore into me, an unrelenting force I could feel searing my skin.
"Will you cut it out?" I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended.
"Cut what out?" he asked, his tone infuriatingly casual, as though my discomfort amused him.
"The staring," I said, exasperated. Turning to face him, I bit my lower lip before releasing it. "It could lead to a misunderstanding, and seriously, Ash, I can't afford that."
His brow arched, a small smirk playing on his lips. How was he so calm when I felt like I was unraveling? That smug expression of his only fueled my irritation.
"You're angry," he said, folding his arms across his chest as though he were analyzing me.
"And why would
