Amber's soft touch against his cheek and her hand in his had felt like they'd insulate him against anything. He didn't need to try hard; he could accept another glass of wine and content himself with answering whatever conversational topics came up, instead of trying to draw the Volakises out or prove himself. In fact, that would probably be better. He didn't want to look like he was trying. Still feeling relaxed and warm from their moment in the living room, however brief, Foreman smiled at Amber as she took her seat, and then sat down himself.
A second later, all that insulation was burned away. Foreman had pulled out Amber's chair for Amber, as a gesture to her, forgetting that he was on display. Seemed like everyone at the table had an opinion. Foreman couldn't even care that they were mostly positive; he felt like an animal in a zoo being put through its paces. Every word he'd said so far tonight had been more or less been taken at face value, but this one little courtesy caused a whole flurry of opinion. If he even said a word about it, he'd look like even more of an idiot than he'd already made of himself. He watched Geoffrey ostentatiously make a point of doing the same, not only for Leila but for Madeleine, somehow making a mockery of it, like he was a pompous butler instead of a caring father and husband. Christ, did Foreman look like that? Maybe he did, in Amber's eyes. If her family was so hung up on it, that's probably how she'd taken it, each time he'd tried. No wonder she asked him not to, if he'd looked like such a prat opening doors for her. He probably came off like he was spreading his jacket over a puddle instead, doing it for the so-called honour, rather than what it really meant, that he cared. Face burning, Foreman couldn't help the grim set to his mouth or the sudden hyper-awareness of everything around him. Would it occasion just as much comment that he knew how to eat with a knife and fork? Maybe they'd be just as surprised that he knew the difference between a salad fork and a dessert spoon. Look at that, he could be dressed up and taken out. What a marvel!
"Well, everybody dig in," Kate said brightly. The food all looked, and smelled, delicious, although Foreman's churning stomach stopped him from reaching immediately for anything. He wasn't going to screw up again, in case Kate's invitation was only a ritual phrase and some people were expected to wait while others served themselves first. Being in an atmosphere like this, Foreman had almost expected everyone to bow their heads and listen to Chris or Geoffrey say grace. His dad certainly wouldn't have let anyone touch a serving spoon before they'd given thanks. Foreman himself had stopped saying grace almost the moment he'd moved out of his parents' house, and he wasn't about to go through the motions here if his hosts didn't.
Chris didn't stop to let anything get cold, and Leila started serving Madeleine, who looked pouty and recalcitrant over waiting. When Chris passed the bowl of peas to Foreman, at least that was a pretty clear sign that 'dig in' meant just that. Somewhat relieved, although still furious with himself for being taken for a chivalrous fool, Foreman got involved in serving himself and passing things on to Amber. No way he was going to offer to serve her, or even hold the serving dishes while she got her own. He'd been taught his lesson.
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A second later, all that insulation was burned away. Foreman had pulled out Amber's chair for Amber, as a gesture to her, forgetting that he was on display. Seemed like everyone at the table had an opinion. Foreman couldn't even care that they were mostly positive; he felt like an animal in a zoo being put through its paces. Every word he'd said so far tonight had been more or less been taken at face value, but this one little courtesy caused a whole flurry of opinion. If he even said a word about it, he'd look like even more of an idiot than he'd already made of himself. He watched Geoffrey ostentatiously make a point of doing the same, not only for Leila but for Madeleine, somehow making a mockery of it, like he was a pompous butler instead of a caring father and husband. Christ, did Foreman look like that? Maybe he did, in Amber's eyes. If her family was so hung up on it, that's probably how she'd taken it, each time he'd tried. No wonder she asked him not to, if he'd looked like such a prat opening doors for her. He probably came off like he was spreading his jacket over a puddle instead, doing it for the so-called honour, rather than what it really meant, that he cared. Face burning, Foreman couldn't help the grim set to his mouth or the sudden hyper-awareness of everything around him. Would it occasion just as much comment that he knew how to eat with a knife and fork? Maybe they'd be just as surprised that he knew the difference between a salad fork and a dessert spoon. Look at that, he could be dressed up and taken out. What a marvel!
"Well, everybody dig in," Kate said brightly. The food all looked, and smelled, delicious, although Foreman's churning stomach stopped him from reaching immediately for anything. He wasn't going to screw up again, in case Kate's invitation was only a ritual phrase and some people were expected to wait while others served themselves first. Being in an atmosphere like this, Foreman had almost expected everyone to bow their heads and listen to Chris or Geoffrey say grace. His dad certainly wouldn't have let anyone touch a serving spoon before they'd given thanks. Foreman himself had stopped saying grace almost the moment he'd moved out of his parents' house, and he wasn't about to go through the motions here if his hosts didn't.
Chris didn't stop to let anything get cold, and Leila started serving Madeleine, who looked pouty and recalcitrant over waiting. When Chris passed the bowl of peas to Foreman, at least that was a pretty clear sign that 'dig in' meant just that. Somewhat relieved, although still furious with himself for being taken for a chivalrous fool, Foreman got involved in serving himself and passing things on to Amber. No way he was going to offer to serve her, or even hold the serving dishes while she got her own. He'd been taught his lesson.