Amber withdrew her gaze from me and smiled politely, as if nothing heavy had just passed between us.
"Ms. Gardner, I didn't know you were coming today," she said softly. "I wasn't sure what you liked to eat. I hope you won't mind."
Her tone was gentle, but her eyes were still studying me.
I smiled back just as calmly. "Lewis told me that after Peter saved him years ago, he kept coming here. He thinks of you as family. And family doesn't stand on ceremony, right?"
Tiffany rolled her eyes dramatically. "Hypocrite."
"Enough," Amber said lightly, but there was steel under her voice. "Ms. Gardner, please sit. Tiffany, come help me in the kitchen."
"Aunt Amber "
"Now."
Amber placed the fruit platter down and gave Tiffany a look that made the air shift.
It was subtle. No raised voice. No anger.
But Tiffany's face changed instantly. She followed without another word.
A chill crept down my spine.
