Though Mara was being polite without her husband, Arthur still wished she was not at the table so he could lean back into Malachi and kiss him like he wanted so badly to do.  Even so, his lovers reassurances did help him, but not as much as the warmth of his hand over his own.

"What on Earth is coming with dessert?"  The question was directed at Mara before Arthur looked to Malachi again.

"Don't worry, I'm not not going to involve myself."  Not any more than he already had, anyway.  "I just want to know what to expect.  Passive aggression?  Less passive aggression?  A food fight?"

He could not imagine Miriam participating in the latter most of those options, but he was trying to lighten the mood with the remaining people at the table.

"Truly, though, no matter what is it, I'll be able to handle it.  I'm serious, Malachi, don't worry about me."  He gave Malachi a serious look, damped slightly by the smallest of smiles.