_Author’s POV_
Virella walked over with the confidence of someone who had planned this entrance and was pleased with how it landed.
Her smile was wide and bright and she directed it at Rowena like a spotlight.
Rowena looked at her and then she looked away.
Just like that. Back to her drink, back to the table, expression unchanged.
The smile on Virella’s face flickered. Just for a second. She had expected something, surprise or discomfort or at least the satisfaction of watching Rowena’s composure crack slightly at the edges. But she got nothing. Rowena’s face was exactly the same as it had been before she walked in.
Virella recovered and pulled out the chair across from Rowena and sat down without being invited.
“Small world,” she said.
“Hello, Virella,” Rowena re
