After hanging up, Vesta exchanged a few more words with Dalton before getting into her car and leaving.


    For the rest of the afternoon, the Hawkins and Spencer households were buzzing with excitement and joy. Vesta was too, though she maintained a calm andposed exterior.


    Around five o''clock, her phone buzzed. Instantly, everyone''s attention turned to her. After she read the message, Leah asked eagerly, "Is Thorneing to pick you up?"


    "No," Vesta said. "He just messaged to ask if I needed him to send a car for me."


    "Oh, I see..."


    Though Thorne wasn''ting himself, neither Vesta nor her family thought much of it. After all, a surprise is often more effective when it emerges from the ordinary.


    Vesta replied to the text, and a little after six, with her family waving her off, she left for the restaurant Thorne had booked.


    When she arrived, she saw Jasmine happily pacing outside the private room, clearly waiting for her. The moment Jasmine spotted her, she ran over, beaming. "Ms. Hawkins!"


    Vesta smiled and opened her arms to catch her. "Careful, now."


    Jasmine nodded eagerly. "I know!" She held out a gift box. "Happy birthday!"


    "Thank you, Minnie," Vesta said, epting the gift.


    Looking up, she saw Thorne emerge from the room, likely checking on Jasmine. "You''re here," he said upon seeing her.


    "Yes." Thinking of the surprise he had in store for her, she felt a flutter of nerves.


    Just then, Moran came out as well. "There you are! Come on in."


    Vesta took Jasmine''s hand and stepped into the room, only to find that Granger was there too. Moran had mentioned in their group chat that they''d booked a room for Ker birthday and while Granger bag wished her well then, she had assumed he''d find an excuse not toe. But here he was.


    She quickly reasoned with herself: today was different. If Thorne was proposing, it made sense for Granger, as one of his closest


    friends to be present to witness the happy moment, even if he was now siding with Charlene.


    As Granger looked over from his seat, she gave him a cool nod.


    Moran, oblivious to the rift between them, immediately handed her a gift. "Just a little something. Happy birthday."


    "Thank you."


    Next, Thorne gave her his gift. "Happy birthday."


    Vesta paused as she took the box, then managed a smile. "Thank you."


    Granger then handed her his present, which she also epted.


    With the gifts exchanged, they all sat down to order. The conversation flowed easily as they ate, centered on casual, everyday topics. Vesta remained on high alert, but she didn''t notice any special hints or signals. At first, she wasn''t worried. Surprises, after all, were usually saved for the end.


    But as the meal drew to a close with still no sign of anything out of the ordinary, Vesta grew distracted. Her smile became forced, and the delicious food suddenly tasted like ash in her mouth.