Lily POV
I stood quietly on the terrace, the cool evening breeze playing with the hem of my dress as I watched Nathan speak with Cordelia.
The woman was animated, her hands moving expressively as she spoke, her voice carrying just enough for me to catch fragments of what sounded like an explanation. Nathan's posture was attentive but somehow relieved, which struck me as odd for someone supposedly on a romantic evening.
After what felt like several minutes but was probably less, Cordelia touched Nathan's arm briefly before turning and walking back into the hall. Nathan watched her go, then ran a hand through his dark hair before turning toward me with what looked suspiciously like relief washing over his features.
As he approached, he intercepted a server who had just stepped onto the terrace with a silver tray of champagne flutes. Nathan took two glasses, nodding his thanks to the young man before continuing toward me with that confident stride that seemed so natural to him.
