Claire smiled faintly, not offering an explanation for why she had been deliberately keeping her distance from Adrien.
Adrien opened the car door and made a gentlemanly gesture, inviting her in. "Please, let me drive you home."
Claire got into the car, where the familiar scent of Adrien's cologne lingered in the air.
The car moved steadily through the night, and Adrien glanced sideways at Claire, his gaze focused and gentle.
"How have you been lately?"
"Not bad," Claire replied in a calm tone.
"Your birthday's coming up, right? Is there anything you'd like?" Adrien asked casually.
Claire was momentarily stunned, not expecting him to remember her birthday.
"Nothing in particular."
She deliberately maintained a distant attitude, unwilling to let him sense the faint anticipation hidd
