Maddy's POV
Heat rushed to my face, and Nate coughed into his hand as if to hide a smile.
Dinner was held in a dining room so long it could have doubled as a bowling alley. Windows overlooked the gardens, where lanterns glowed in the darkness, and the table was set with enough silverware to make me panic about which fork to use first. I copied Caroline, hoping she wouldn't notice.
To my relief, the conversation was easy. Caroline asked about my work with genuine curiosity. They were impressed when Nate announced how I had helped him to bag the Everly deal. And, Nate's father, Arthur, offered a toast to his mother's health that made her wave him off but smile all the same.
For the first time since the car ride, I let myself breathe. Maybe I wasn't going to make a fool of mysel
