A Little Day Drinking

[Nesrin Aziz]

Nesrin nestled back in her seat. Since her companions were all sorts of unfocussed she only raised an amused brow, glanced again at Elyse, and let her attention drop to her phone. The stem of her glass twisted in her fingers as she typed a reply to Wicked.

Oh I do hope that’s a promise. I’m sure we can come to a mutually happy arrangement. What’s your poison?

Transaction was comfortable ground, and it eased what brief anxiety had assailed her at the idea of his simply being altruistic. They weren’t talking cash or credit, she assumed. M’Antinomian aside, in this world it was often the promise of a favour which carried the most weight. Nesrin wasn’t concerned at what she might need to promise him. She’d seen his adorable face, after all, and by now was sure her effect on him the night of the party had lingered. In any case, when it came to her own survival, there wasn’t much Nesrin wasn’t prepared to give.

Elyse returned then, her eyes bruised with tears, though she put on a brave face. Trouble and opportunity were usually interesting bedfellows, if you looked at it through the right lens at least. Problem-solving nearly always endeared you to others, but Elyse was unlikely to confide. At least not without a few more tequilas. She watched the cutesy exchange as Cade began to lighten up, glancing briefly at Anna to ascertain whether she minded the flirtation. Probably not, given the club they both worked at, but Nesrin always paid attention to dynamics.