"Thrask will be one to avoid, yes," he agreed. "Meredith has never questioned me about my personal life. I don't know if she even imagines that I have one." That was fine by him. They worked better together without superfluous small talk. He laughed again, surprised at how regular of an occurrence it had been that night so far. It was nice. "Oh ho! Are we attributing this to the brandy then?"

He snorted a soft sound and nodded, his cheek against her hair. "I'm really glad. I was a little nervous when I thought about it, the two of us trapped on a boat together all night. There was always the chance that if the conversation ran out it could just be awkward. I'm very good at awkward. It's a well honed skill." At least that was the case when he was uncomfortable. He was thanking the Maker he wasn't, or he was fairly certain this would have been their last outing.