Anthony sat in the car, his eyes fixed on Maria who occupied the farthest corner, her gaze steadfastly fixed on the passing scenery outside the window. He couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration at the distance between them, both physically and emotionally.
With a sigh, Anthony decided to bridge the gap, both figuratively and literally. He reached out and placed his hand on Maria's thigh, expecting a reaction, but what he received was more than he anticipated. Maria flinched slightly at his touch, a subtle movement that did not escape Anthony's notice.
Her immediate withdrawal of her legs made his hand slip off, the rejection cutting deeper than he cared to admit. Anthony's initial feeling of distress quickly morphed into jealousy as he recalled the man from the party, how close he
