"How come you're here?" Fleming Mercer set his bag down and turned to face

her.

Esmeralda Mercer felt a strange, indescribable awkwardness, mixed with

emotions she didn't dare examine too closely.

"I just brought you a jacket." She held up the coat in her hands, as if she needed to prove she hadn't been eavesdropping.

Adrian rubbed the bridge of his nose, suddenly feeling more out of place than ever-even though, technically, he was just an outsider.

He barely knew Fleming's fiancée; after all, Fleming never mentioned her. But for her to overhear that conversation just now... It didn't seem right.

"Alright then, why don't I give you two some time alone?" Adrian flashed Esmeralda a friendly smile, doing his best to seem welcoming before stepping out. He even closed the door gently behind him.

Esmeralda hesitated, remembering that Adrian was closer to Lucy. He'd probably take Lucy's side, if it ever came to that.

"Okay," she murmured, nodding.

Finally, she walked farther into the room and handed the jacket to Fleming. "Have you settled in here yet?"

would offer some explanation for what she'd heard. Something like, "It was just a joke,"

truth was, she was embarrassingly easy to

the bathroom, tossing it into the washing machine. "Almost done," he

rarely wasting

a

clothes into the machine, wondering-Did he

she mustered up her courage and asked, "Were

the rest of his clothes in the closet. "Just checking in.

bit of bravery

her fingers, her voice barely

small jade pendant hanging from Fleming's phone-something she'd never

bent down to touch it. "Didn't know

hanger, strode over, and snatched his phone away from her. "Don't touch

wasn't overtly angry, Esmeralda could sense his displeasure. The shift in his

a moment, she felt like a stranger, someone he refused to let past his

jade charm a rare softness flickering in his eyes. Then, catching himself, he tucked his phone away and looked at her. "I might have to head

in effect,

wasn't stupid-she could tell how important that little

practically panicked when she

mind drifted to

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