“That doesn’t mean anything.”

“You alphabetized the spices, Eli.”

He stared at the cabinet. “I may be a little angry.”

They learned. He learned to speak before resentment turned to silence. She learned that accepting kindness was not surrendering control.

Chapter 9 — A Banquet of Two

On the first anniversary of the night they met, Eli brought Maddie back to White Oak Manor. The ballroom was empty except for one table set beneath the chandeliers — no orchestra, no crowd, no photographer.

On the table sat two crab cakes, a bottle of champagne, and a small chocolate cake made by Loretta.