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She waves a hand toward the corridor “The dining room is this way”

“Alex showed me already”

She gives a cool set lost” Without another word, she disappears down the hallway

Clenching uard at the door If I was hoping for an explanation froht ahead, ignoring my presence as if I don’t exist

Not having anywhere else to go, I walk to the dining room The table is set with a dozen dishes None of the intricate pastries or colorful salads are faarnishes of radishes and tomatoes artfully carved to resemble roses

My sto me I didn’t touch the French toast and fruit Tima had prepared earlier

Tiht smile, he says, “I hope you rested well Please, have a seat You ry” He places the platter in the center of the other dishes and pulls out a chair next to the head of the table where a place is set “Here Come Make yourself comfortable”

A whiff of garlic and parsley reaches my nose I want to decline out of spitefulness, but I’ hih food here for an army”

He chuckles “There is an army, in case you haven’t noticed”

I scoff “How could I have missed that?”

“I made you some comfort food” He“Pasta with artichoke It’s an Italian recipe” Taking a serving spoon and fork, he scoops up a generous helping and places it on ets cold Then you can try the cold dishes and salads Those are all local recipes Delicious”

“Thank you,” I say with reluctant gratitude

Ti the room

The grandfather clock strikes once The beat echoes in the quiet roo in the silence and how unreal this feels A soft tick-tock follows as the clock continues to count off the seconds It’s a strangely depressing sound and a very aard situation, sitting alone at a table h

Twisting the hair-thin pasta around arlic, parsley, and olive oil blend with the taste of the artichoke hearts The co ht This is comfort food and exactly what I need

I devour the portion onfor seconds, but I’ging the serving spoon into a salad of potato and what looks like dill pickles, Alex walks into the room

I still as I aze He wears a white button-up shirt and dark pants His jaw is free of stubble, his lightly tanned skin perfectly s contrast to the icy blue of his eyes His regard is vigilant and observant as his gaze slides from my face to my empty plate

His s late”

“This is your house You can do as you please”