[ How odd— it's like this stranger just read his mind.
Claude tenses just under the cover of the counter, fingers tightening in the fabric of his jacket before they loosen, knuckle by knuckle. Dom's guess is a good one, but it's not unreasonable: this table does have a good view of Iona, and he has been rather distant this entire time despite the fact that he quite obviously knows Oren and the mistress of the proverbial house. Context clues could've been enough.
Still, he drops his smile enough that his wariness shows. Polite, but guarded. ]
I see. Miss Oakes' disposition does seem to be somewhat of a contagion.
[ Why does he have to say it like this... The use of her last name instead of her first is also deliberate, as a way to distance. ]
no subject
Claude tenses just under the cover of the counter, fingers tightening in the fabric of his jacket before they loosen, knuckle by knuckle. Dom's guess is a good one, but it's not unreasonable: this table does have a good view of Iona, and he has been rather distant this entire time despite the fact that he quite obviously knows Oren and the mistress of the proverbial house. Context clues could've been enough.
Still, he drops his smile enough that his wariness shows. Polite, but guarded. ]
I see. Miss Oakes' disposition does seem to be somewhat of a contagion.
[ Why does he have to say it like this... The use of her last name instead of her first is also deliberate, as a way to distance. ]
Are you also waiting for her?