A Table She Never Planned to Share

Evan tugged at her sleeve.

“She looks happy,” he said. “Please.”

Alara hesitated.

Negotiations were easy. Public perception was manageable. This was neither.

She looked down at her son, really looked at him, and saw something she hadn’t accounted for. Curiosity. Empathy. A quiet insistence she couldn’t dismiss with authority.

Finally, she straightened continue reading …