"I don't think you back down from many of those, if any." It was something he had admired about her for some time now. He knew he wasn't alone in that.

He supposed he should have expected her to meet that as head on as she did other things. He shivered once, almost forgetting to chew and swallow the small bite of apple. The swallow was a bit harder and louder than entirely necessary. He watched her intently, his questions coming low. "What's the verdict? Worth the price?"