When he was gone, Maddie stared after him. “Did Martin Cole just compliment me?”

“I’ve seen that man send back a Christmas card because the envelope was the wrong shade of red.”

“Maybe I really am impressive.”

“You are.”

The simplicity of it made her look away. They finished the main course at a smaller table near the dance floor. Eli brought slices of cake to the kitchen staff.

The head chef, Loretta James, came out in a stained apron and hugged Maddie without asking questions. “I made that bourbon sauce from scratch,” Loretta said.