Stephan took Eliza's hand with a naturalness that made her feel extraordinarily at ease, wrapped in a peace she almost didn't recognize.
He didn't grip it tightly.
He didn't try to pull her toward him.
He simply laced his fingers through hers and began to walk, guiding her toward the enormous walnut table.
That gesture, as simple as it was ordinary, managed to quiet the storm that had continued churning inside her chest.
When they arrived, he pulled out the chair so she could sit.
He waited until she was comfortable before taking the seat beside her, as though that place had always belonged to him.
Across from them, Ashley and Thiago had miraculously stopped losing themselves in each other long enough to rejoin the conversation. It took Ashley less than five seconds to launch into some exaggerated story that had half the table laughing, while Thiago shook his head, completely resigned.
Stephan reached for one of the crystal bottles resting on the table.
