Chapter 84

He walked her to her car, hovering awkwardly for a moment before pulling her into a brief hug. Eve breathed in his woodsy cologne, oddly comforted by the gesture.

As she drove home, Eve realized her smile hadn't faltered once. She had gone into this evening with so much trepidation about being pushed into an arranged marriage with a stranger. But David had allayed most of her fears.

Perhaps this situation wouldn't be a burden or an obligation after all. Perhaps, just perhaps, it could actually lead to something wonderful. The thought buoyed her spirits as she pulled into her parents' driveway, excited to share every detail with her mother over tea. For the first time, Eve felt a flutter of hope about what the future might hold.

The following week flew by in a blur for Eve. When she wasn't interning at the museum or catching up on schoolwork, her mind kept drifting back to her dinner with David. She found herself eagerly anticipating their next d