Chapter 21 It Has To Be

• Brittany’s POV
• The ride to the inauguration ceremony was painfully silent. The low hum of the engine was the only sound that dared to fill the tense space between us. I glanced over at George, seated beside me, his eyes glued to his phone. His brows furrowed in concentration, his thumb scrolling steadily.
• I smiled softly, shifting closer to him. With deliberate ease, I brushed my fingers against his hand. Be subtle. Be patient. My voice came out light and playful. "There’s no reason we can’t act a little more like a couple in public, you know."