Introspection

Chapter 7 - Simulation

Her white-gloved hands smoothed the hem of her black pencil skirt as she stood to leave, adjusting where it had shifted in her seated position. Pressing the fabric down over her mid-thigh with an absent touch as she offered the bear a brief wave and turned toward the bar. Her blouse, a deep crimson, made the emerald of her eyes shimmer, even from this distance. Thoughtlessly, Shadow's gaze snapped to the glass in his hand. His brow furrowed at his own reaction. It had been nothing, just eye contact across a crowded room, so why the hell had he looked away so quickly? The absurdity of the thought barely settled before her voice cut through his inner monologue.

"Huh! I wasn't expecting this summit to have an open bar. Most of the ones I've attended in the past just offer mock-tails or waters." The soft laugh that trailed her remark made the chill in Shadows fingertips melt away, and with a gentle scoff, he found his footing. Sure, he had his role to play, but at least with Amy, he'd be able to speak to her the way he always had.

"The coffee isn't half bad either. Wouldn't be far-fetched to say our host spared no expense. Though I definitely don't envy the poor sap that's getting the bill." He smirked through the exasperated sigh while shaking his head.

Amy's gentle wholehearted laughter dissipated the last traces of tension from his shoulders, and he found himself looking over at her. The action made one thing clear, he wasn't the only one stealing glances. For the briefest moment, he caught it, that flicker in her expression as her gaze locked onto the corner of his smirk before darting to the drink in his hand. A hesitation, a shift, as if she were suddenly hyper aware of where her eyes had landed. It made him question if she too had become overwhelmed by the eye contact. With that, the thought lingered, and so did he. Holding his gaze steady, waiting, watching, and then, just as he'd hoped, her emerald eyes lifted to meet his own. Her lips parted slightly, as if preparing to speak, but instead, she gave a small nod toward the bar. It felt like whatever she'd been about to say had been replaced at the last second.

"Well, I suppose we're lucky it won't be us then." Her smile reached her eyes, warm and teasing. "Now I just need to figure out what to order." There was a playful lift in her voice. Shadow immediately noted the way her smile curved just enough to border on mischievous.

"Need some suggestions?" He quipped and to his delight, she fired off another roguish smile at him.

"We just met," Amy giggled ostentatiously, clearly poking fun at the act they were meant to be playing. "And you think you can guess my drink order?"

"I've been told I'm surprisingly observant," he retorted with a suggestive lift of an eyebrow. The incredulous look that flickered across Amy's face was nothing short of priceless. The playful glare that followed? Even better.

Taking the brief pause to step forward, Shadow leaned against the bar, placing one booted foot on the stool rail beside him. With a small gesture, he caught the bartender's attention, but as Shadow shifted, the bag at his hip slid uncomfortably to the front of his waist. He hesitated. Instinct told him to push it behind him, but the nature of this exam held him still. He wasn't sure who was targeting him. A bag at his back would be as good as a neon sign reading: 'Pickpocket me,' so he let it rest at his waist, ignoring the discomfort.

Amy slid onto the barstool beside him, adjusting her skirt before crossing her legs. Head rested lightly in her palm, but Shadow could feel it, the weight of her gaze pressing against his muzzle. It threatened to bring the heat beneath his fur to the surface. A small mercy, then, when the bartender turned to take their order.

"An espresso martini please," Shadow said, before his gaze flicked toward Amy, a small smirk tugging at his lips, "and a lemon drop for her, please." He felt her shift beside him, attention caught, just as the bartender turned to tap the order into the system.