Chapter 791
Esmeralda understood what was going on.
Her eyes dimmed, a faint bitterness welling up inside her.
Fleming glanced at Lucy. “How are you getting home?”
Lucy smiled. “The driver’s waiting-I’ll get a ride, don’t worry about me.”
At that, Elodie realized Fleming was probably planning to spend the evening with Esmeralda.
She turned to Esmeralda, who clenched her fists a little, trying to steady her nerves.
Elodie felt a twinge of concern. She reached out and ruffled Esmeralda’s hair, murmuring, “Whatever you feel tonight, figure it out for yourself before you say anything. The two of you need to talk.”
Whether it turned out well or not, only Esmeralda could truly sense it. Even if she, as an outsider, could see Fleming wasn’t exactly enthusiastic, Esmeralda’s feelings ran deep-no amount of advice could smooth them over.
Esmeralda only half understood.
Alexander stepped forward. Noticing the hope flickering on Esmeralda’s face, his gaze softened. In the end, all he said was, “If you need anything, call me, all right?”
Esmeralda waved him off. “I know, you don’t have to treat me like a kid.”
Alexander left it at that, his eyes briefly sweeping over Fleming before he walked away.
Jarrod, unconcerned with anyone but Elodie, simply took her wrist and led her outside as the group dispersed.
Elodie glanced at his profile, wanting to ask him something-but held back.
They watched Elodie and the others leave, the group making their way to the door.
Lucy hadn’t gotten into her car yet.
Adrian, who’d known Fleming for years, bumped his shoulder and grinned, glancing at Esmeralda. “Hey, keeping a fiancée secret from us? That’s a new low, man.”
Heath chimed in, “Yeah, pretty cold of you. Didn’t even think to introduce us?”
Fleming looked completely uninterested in the topic.
Lucy laughed it off. “You know my brother-he’s always so reserved.”
Heath shook his head in mock disbelief. “He’s not reserved with you. Spoils you rotten.”
Lucy lowered her gaze, smiling quietly, not denying it.
Standing off to the side, Esmeralda suddenly felt strangely out of place.
She realized just how close everyone was to Lucy-how naturally she fit into Fleming’s world.
But she herself had never been allowed in.
Fleming had never mentioned her, not even in passing.
No one here knew she was the woman he was about to marry.
As Lucy climbed into her car, she looked back at Esmeralda, who stood there, lost in thought. “Let’s talk again soon. I’ll leave you to it-have my brother take you somewhere fun, okay?”
Whenever Esmeralda had to face Lucy, maybe because Fleming was always so protective of her, she
found herself choosing her words
carefully. All she could do was nod.
Fleming walked over, helped Lucy into the car, and leaned in. “Text me when you get home.”
Lucy stuck out her tongue. “Alright, alright, you worry too much.”
The affection between them was something ordinary siblings rarely had.
Esmeralda curled her hands into fists.
Adrian and Heath got into their own cars.
Soon, only Fleming and Esmeralda were left.
He looked at her. “Got any plans for tonight?”
The way he asked made it clear he had no idea how to spend this birthday with her.
Esmeralda shook her head.
Fleming gestured. “Come on, get in. I’ll take you out to eat.”
She was still anxious.
After all, they hadn’t seen each other in ages.
Fleming hadn’t been back in two years.
Today was their first meeting in all that time, and honestly, she couldn’t help feeling a bit hopeful.
She opened the passenger door and got in.
As soon as she sat down, she noticed some things in the car that didn’t fit Fleming’s usual rugged image.
Hanging from the rearview mirror
was a cute little bunny charm. It used to be the protective token she’d given him a lucky charm she’d gone to great lengths to find. She’d even climbed a mountain overnight, trekking for thirteen hours to find the right chapel, all so she could bring him something she hoped would keep him safe during his dangerous flights.
Now, her charm was gone, replaced by the rabbit.
If she remembered right, Lucy’s zodiac sign was the rabbit.
A sharp pang twisted in Esmeralda’s chest. It was a long while before she
managed to ask, “Where’s the charm I gave you?”
Fleming paused, halfway through buckling his seatbelt. Then he answered, flatly, “Probably lost it.”