"Grandma, it''s almost time. Let''s head to the restaurant," Mansfield Ellington said, ncing at his watch.


    Mildred nodded. "All right! No sense in letting ourselves get hungry. Come on, let''s go."


    Mansfield had made a reservation at an upscale restaurant. Mildred didn''t get out much these days, but she''d raised two aplished sons and had seen her fair share of sophisticated asions.


    The restaurant was perched atop a downtown skyscraper, its floor-to-ceiling windows offering a sweeping view of the city below.


    Mansfield chose a table by the window, and they settled in.


    Eleanor was listening as Mildred recounted stories of how times had changed. Suddenly, Eleanor felt a sharp gaze fixed on her. She looked up instinctively- across a few tables, her eyes metn''s, his dark gaze unreadable.


    Their eyes locked for a brief moment, but Eleanor didn''t let her face show any change-Mildred was engaged in cheerful conversation with her, and she didn''t want to spoil the mood.


    Eleanor turned her attention back to the table.


    Mansfield, always observant, noticed the flicker in her demeanor. He followed her line of sight and caughtn''s eyes across the room.


    The two men exchanged a brief, polite nod—a silent acknowledgment between people of status.


    When the drinks and food arrived, Mansfield discretely shifted in his seat, positioning himself between Eleanor andn''s line of sight.


    Eleanor didn''t notice his subtle gesture, butn certainly did.


    Soon, the main courses arrived. Eleanor and Mildred chatted, while Mansfield mostly listened, attentive and quiet. He kept an eye on his grandmother''s te, making sure she had everything she liked. For Eleanor, he was more reserved- he watched to see what she enjoyed and gently slid those dishes closer to her.


    Halfway through the meal, Eleanor excused herself to thedies'' room. As she stepped out, she foundn leaning casually against the hallway wall.


    "So, you''re at the ''meet the family'' stage already?"n''s tone was cool, almost indifferent.


    Eleanor didn''t bother with a reply. She tried to walk past him.


    The words hit Eleanor where she was most vulnerable. Her daughter was her weakness; she felt her breath catch.


    "Why don''t you worry about yourself?" she shot back, hoping to keep walking. Butn''s arm moved out, blocking her path.


    She nearly bumped into him, instinctively taking a step back. Finally, she looked him in the eye.


    "What do you want from me?"


    Eleanor let out a coldugh. "At least they know how to treat me with respect. That''s more than I can say for someone who harasses his ex-wife in public."


    The hallway light spilled over him, throwing shadow into his deep-set eyes.


    "Eleanor," he said, straightening his cufflinks, his voice measured and slow, "I''m only trying to look out for you. That''s all."


    With that, he turned and walked away.


    Eleanor let out a shaky breath. Her good mood had taken a hit, thanks to him. When she returned to the table, Mansfield leaned over and asked quietly, "Are you all right?"


    He''d seenn head down the hallway earlier.


    "I''m fine," Eleanor replied with a lifted brow and a smile. From the corner of her eye, she sawn back at his business dinner, raising his ss and chatting with clients, as if the tense encounter had never happened.


    "Try this," Mansfield said, sliding a delicate slice of tiramisu in front of her. "This ce is famous for it. I remember you loved itst time we were in Kingston."


    Eleanor felt a gentle warmth in her chest. Six years of marriage ton, and he''d never once remembered her favorite dessert. Mansfield, on the other hand, had caught on after just one meal together.


    "Thank you," she said softly, taking a bite. The cake was light and sweet, melting on her tongue.


    When she nced up, she caught Mansfield watching her lips, his gaze lingering a moment too long, a faint blush creeping up his ears.


    Mildred suddenly jumped in. "Mansfield was always like this as a boy-he had a crush on the girl in the next ss but never dared say a word. Every day="


    "Grandma!" Mansfield nearly knocked over his water ss. "That was elementary school! Do you have to remember everything?"


    He shot Eleanor a nervous look, worried she''d find his childhood stories embarrassing.


    Eleanor couldn''t help butugh. "I was the same way at that age. We were all innocent back then."


    Across the room,n set down his wine ss, his gaze drifting toward their table. A littleter, Mansfield excused himself to use the restroom.


    "Eleanor, dear," Mildred said, suddenly taking Eleanor''s hand in her own wrinkled but surprisingly strong grip. "My grandson is a wonderful young man. The way he looks at you—it''s just like his grandfather looked at me all those years ago.” Eleanor was caught off guard-she hadn''t realized Mildred had noticed. But she- "Grandma, if I''m being honest, I''ve only been divorced for half a year. I have a daughter to care for. I''m not really thinking about anything else right now." Eleanor spoke from the heart.


    Mildred smiled gently. "My younger daughter-inw told me all about it. There''s no rush, sweetheart. Take your time. You''re a wonderful woman. If someone else couldn''t see that, I know Mansfield does."