[Her irritated expression starts to fade slowly, of course, as he goes on. Whatever he's called me over for must be severely troubling him, she realizes. He keeps changing topics, like a snake uncomfortable in its skin.
...
...She tenses just slightly when he finally says it, with the grace of someone ripping off a bandaid. Her fingertips scratch the surface of her cup from the way her grip reflexively, marginally tightened.
It loosens up a moment later, in that pregnant pause, and her expression is smooth when she pulls the straw from her mouth to answer him.]
...Yeah. I guessed something like that took place.
no subject
...
...She tenses just slightly when he finally says it, with the grace of someone ripping off a bandaid. Her fingertips scratch the surface of her cup from the way her grip reflexively, marginally tightened.
It loosens up a moment later, in that pregnant pause, and her expression is smooth when she pulls the straw from her mouth to answer him.]
...Yeah. I guessed something like that took place.