Chapter 305: Fancy Meeting You Here…

~ 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.