I smile for her, only her, always her. “I was prepared to plead.” She gives me a look. “You would not.” “Oh, darling, I would do so much worse if only you asked.” I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear with a smile. “Or, even more difficult, so much better.” “You know,” she says slowly, “you’re not nearly as terrifying as you seem.” “Not to you. Never to you.”
