Book 3: Chapter 19

Esmeralda felt heat rise to her cheeks, her mind racing as old memories flooded back. The two of them, years ago, in the reckless days of youth, when everything seemed possible and every word was charged with a meaning that lingered long after it was spoken. 

She remembered how she’d said it offhandedly, the playful challenge in her voice. The connection he was making hadn’t even occurred to her when she named the perfume, but now, under his intense gaze, it seemed impossible to deny that it had been buried somewhere in her subconscious.

The flush on her cheeks deepened, and she quickly averted her eyes, trying to regain control of her emotions. “That was a long time ago,” she replied, attempting to dismiss the significance of his words. “Things are different now, Santiago. We’ve moved on.”

Santiago’s expression darkened slightly, though the grip he had on her was gentle. “Have we?” he asked, his tone challenging. “Because from where I’m standing, it doesn’t l