“Let go of the swing,” she ordered. “I need to put on a spectacle.”
But he didn’t budge. “We aren’t finished speaking.”
“Yes, well, as you can see, I have other matters to attend to at present. Now, move it,” she snapped.
“One more question and then maybe I’ll let you go.”
She started to complain, but she knew he wouldn’t back down. “Fine.”
“Why did you name yourself Paloma Blanca?”
Warmth spread across the apples of her cheeks.
He knew why.Of coursehe knew. But he wanted her to sayit.
She hated him so much at that very moment. And she was mad at herself too. That after all the hurt he’d caused her, she still wanted a piece of him with her. A reminder of the love she oncehad.
“Doves symbolize hope, and all that nonsense people want from their readings.” She wiggled the swing. “Let go.”
“Tell me the truth.”
“That is the truth. Beat it before I knock you out again.”
“Dovie…”
Esmeralda groaned. “All right. Yes! I called myself Paloma because of you.”
“Why?” The word came out in a whisper.
“I…I don’t know,” she lied.
“Did you miss me?”
A sunburst flared inside her chest. She always missed him.
“No,” she said.
“Then why?”
“It was the first thing that popped into my mind. Now, let go of the swing before I make you.”
He smirked. “What’s the magic word?”
“Don’t be childish,” she snapped.
His fingers dug into the wooden seat.
He was such a pest.
She took a deep breath and said through her false smile, “Please.”
Chuckling, Ignacio stepped back.
Esmeralda pushed her feet out and in, slowly building momentum until the swing was in full motion. Anella was busy stuffing herself into a small glass box. All eyes were glued on her. Esmeralda had to do something quickly.
“I am La Paloma Blanca! Fortune Teller Extraordinaire!” she yelled over the cheering crowd. She raised and lowered her pitch to match the melody of the circus song. “I can tell you your fate or see how you and your lover will fare! Ask me anything. Ask me if you so dare!”
She didn’t have her cards to help her cheat her way throughfortunes, but she’d make do. Still, no one paid her much mind. She cleared her throat and repeated the chant louder.
