~ STARK ~
My stomach roiled with unease, nerves fluttering behind my navel.
Did she think I'd come to find her?
I hesitated in my progress, then realized it would only create more tension to try to avoid her now, so I walked carefully over to join her against the wall, leaning back as she did, watching.
Neither of us spoke for a long breath. Somehow I knew she was waiting for me to break the silence.
I cleared my throat.
"You're not drinking tonight?"
She gave a little huff. "No," she said darkly. "I'm here watching for my ranks. Men can be… stupid sometimes when they drink," she said dryly.
And then she cut me a look.
I bristled. She didn't smile. Didn't say anything else. She waited.
Well, fuck.
"That's true… I suppose," I said reluctantly.
There was a tense silence for a moment, then she threw me a bone.
