The children ran circles around the grand Roman columns, giggling and whispering secrets to each other.


    Eleanor Sutton was just about to leave when Xavier Vaughn called out, "Eleanor, let the kids y! Stay and have dinner with us."


    She offered a polite smile. "No, thank you. Please, go ahead without me."


    But as she turned, Xavier reached out and gently, yet firmly, caught her wrist. "The nanny''s watching the kids," he said, his eyes warm and persuasive. "You don''t need to worry."


    The touch maden Goodwin''s gaze turn ice-cold. He set down his wine ss with a sharp clink, the sound echoing off the polished tabletop.


    Xavier released her and kept his eyes on Eleanor, waiting for her to respond.


    "You''ve been working all night, Eleanor," Vanessa Shannon called out with a bright-almost pointed-smile. "Come, sit down and eat with us!"


    The invitation was edged with sarcasm-Vanessa''s tone made it clear she thought Eleanor was acting like thedy of the Vaughn house before she''d even set foot through the door.


    Before Eleanor could reply, Evelyn Goodwin and Vivian came running up. One called, "Mommy, I''m hungry! I want to eat!" The other chimed in, "Uncle, me too! I''m starving!"


    The two girls nted themselves on either side of Eleanor and Xavier, looking for all the world like a picture-perfect family of four.


    Without waiting for her mother, Evelyn mbered up onto a chair, Vivian taking the seat on Xavier''s other side. Xavier nodded at Eleanor. "Come on. Sit with us. The girls want you here."


    Eleanor took her ce beside her daughter, while Xavier settled next to Vivian.


    "Try this," Xavier said, gesturing to the tter. "The foie gras just arrived fresh this morning."


    "I want some! I want some!" Evelyn demanded, her eyes glued to the dish.


    His gesture sent a ripple of tension through the table; conversation faltered, the atmosphere suddenly taut.


    "Mommy, feed me," Evelyn said, her mouth open expectantly. Eleanor obliged, offering her a bite. As she chewed, Evelyn lifted the fork to Eleanor''s lips, insisting, "Mommy, you have some too."


    Eleanor set the foie gras back down. "Mommy doesn''t eat this," she said quietly.


    Across the table, a man''s face darkened.


    Six years of marriagen knew well enough what Eleanor liked and what she didn''t.


    Xavier stood, swapping out the dish for another. "I remember you love these," he said, cing a te of golden shrimp croquettes in front of her.


    Eleanor recognized them from thest time she and Xavier had dined together. She''dplimented the dish then, but hadn''t expected he''d remember, much less have the kitchen prepare it specially.


    "You mentioned itst time," Xavier said easily. "So I made sure they were on the menu tonight."


    "Thank you," Eleanor replied with a genuine smile, helping herself to a shrimp croquette.


    Vanessa let out a lightugh. "Miss Sutton, have your tastes changed? I could''ve sworn you used to eat foie gras.”


    Eleanor shot her a chilly nce. “People change. What you enjoy once can easily be something you can''t stand."


    Her words carried a double meaning-answering Vanessa, but also sending a pointed message to the ex-husband across the table.


    Vanessa, meanwhile, seemed almost delighted by the exchange.


    But there was at least one person at the table who didn''t appreciate it. No matter how amicable a divorce, nobody likes being mocked by their ex in front of a room full of guests.


    Sensing the tension, Henry Holt quickly stood and forced a cheerful tone. "Come on, everyone, let''s eat before the food gets cold!"