“Believe me, your presence was our pleasure.” Alfred arranged his fork at a precise angle on his plate. “We’ve never met one of Rosie’s colleagues before.” No doubt they hadn’t. “Rose is quite private.” Annette’s shoulders visibly stiffened under that drape-y fabric, and her blue eyes narrowed on him. “She has her reasons. Anyone in her life would have to understand that and appreciate her for what she is, rather than what he’d like her to be.” Fuck. He hadn’t meant that as a criticism, merely a statement of fact. If honesty would fix this, he’d offer it.
