11-12-2024, 03:08 PM
They both seemed amenable to the offer, and Nesrin gave a bright smile in response. “I get it. It’s a chance. I appreciate it, believe me.” She wasn’t worried about convincing their boss to give her the shot – she usually got what she wanted, one way or another. But she did care about the door to friendship. Charm never failed her – she couldn’t live the life she did without it – but this was a foray into something different, and different was always risky. But … well, an opportunity was an opportunity, and she was in a tight spot.
Cade’s story didn’t surprise her. The pain was a raw and uncomfortable thing to share with strangers, for all that he laid out the facts of his life without pretence. Fortunately Anna seemed to have the expected empathy in hand. Not that Nesrin was unfeeling, but aside from the mother she’d never known (and who was really more idea than actual person), she kept no attachments. The truth was the only one who ever really cared about you was you – she’d learned that young, as most unwanted children did. Ultimately the more in life you came to cherish the more you had to lose, and life cheated in all sorts of shitty ways along the way. Fate probably screwed Cade over because it could. He wasn't going to find answers for his loss. But she understood why he'd try.
“Well if we're going to get to know each other that well, coffee isn't going to cut it.” Her smile had a twinkle of mischief. Most of the time Nesrin was all dark-eyed innocence, but she was compelling when she wanted to be. “And I think my usual get drunk, get laid, or both advice isn't going to cut it either.”
Nesrin spoke irreverently to ease any tension – in a heartbeat Cade went from the peripheral of attention to the centre of it, and grief was a fickle beast. She didn't say she was sorry because she wasn't; she didn't know Cade. But she did know he was here and his wife and son were not. And life was for the living. She shifted to return the ruined laptop to her bag. She wasn’t joking about going to find a stronger drink, but if they’d rather stay here that was fine by her too. Her mind was already racing three steps ahead of where she needed to be.
Cade’s story didn’t surprise her. The pain was a raw and uncomfortable thing to share with strangers, for all that he laid out the facts of his life without pretence. Fortunately Anna seemed to have the expected empathy in hand. Not that Nesrin was unfeeling, but aside from the mother she’d never known (and who was really more idea than actual person), she kept no attachments. The truth was the only one who ever really cared about you was you – she’d learned that young, as most unwanted children did. Ultimately the more in life you came to cherish the more you had to lose, and life cheated in all sorts of shitty ways along the way. Fate probably screwed Cade over because it could. He wasn't going to find answers for his loss. But she understood why he'd try.
“Well if we're going to get to know each other that well, coffee isn't going to cut it.” Her smile had a twinkle of mischief. Most of the time Nesrin was all dark-eyed innocence, but she was compelling when she wanted to be. “And I think my usual get drunk, get laid, or both advice isn't going to cut it either.”
Nesrin spoke irreverently to ease any tension – in a heartbeat Cade went from the peripheral of attention to the centre of it, and grief was a fickle beast. She didn't say she was sorry because she wasn't; she didn't know Cade. But she did know he was here and his wife and son were not. And life was for the living. She shifted to return the ruined laptop to her bag. She wasn’t joking about going to find a stronger drink, but if they’d rather stay here that was fine by her too. Her mind was already racing three steps ahead of where she needed to be.
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