As the clock struck the hour for dinner, a mix of anticipation and nerves coursed through me. Asher grasped my hand with an unexpected intensity as we decended the elegantly curved staircase, the soft glow of the hallway lights guiding our path to the dining room.
Once we entered, I noticed everyone already settled in their designated spots, the atmosphere filled with the clinking of utensils and low murmurs of conversation. Asher claimed his place at the head of the long, polished table, exuding a natural authority, while I nestled into the chair directly to his left, a blend of exhilaration and shyness flooding through me.
His parents flanked me—his mother radiating warmth with a soft smile, and his father, a nod of acknowledgment beneath a slight furrow in his brow. Across from me, C
