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I blink. “What?”

“That’s what this is, right? The whole My Fair Lady thing. You’re making me presentable.”

“I’m making sure you survive the evening.”

“Is there a difference?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?”

No. “I’m sure,” I say. “Posture. Shoulders back. Chin level. Not lifted too high.”

“Because then I’ll look arrogant?”

“Because then you’ll look like you’re imitating arrogance. True arrogance is quieter.”

“You would know.”

Her flash of defiance intrigues me. I want to smile and warn her in the same breath.

“Yes, I would.” I breathe in. “Walk like you know where you’re going. Even when you don’t. Especially when you don’t.”

“That seems like good advice for life in general.”

“It is.”

“What about forks?”

“Forks?”

“There are always too many forks at these things, aren’t there?”

I suppress a chuckle. “Start from the outside and work inward.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

“I expected something more complicated.”

“There are enough complicated things in that room. Silverware doesn’t need to be one of them.” I set the notes down. “You’ll be fine.”

Ella straightens. “That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

“I thought there was more.”

“There is. It won’t help.”

“How do you know?”

“Because you’re already doing the most important thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Paying attention.”