"What?" she repeated, staring at him as though he had just personally insulted several generations of her bloodline. "That's seriously what you're opening with?"
He frowned, crossing his arms. "I asked a simple question."
"Yes. A terrible one."
"How is that a terrible question?"
Ingrid lowered her wrist, the holographic display winking out as she straightened up from the pillar. Her sharp eyes narrowed dynamically. "You walk up to me after not seeing me properly all day, and the very first thing out of your mouth is a question about another girl?"
Zaeryn stared at her for a second, processing the sheer absurdity of the logic. Then he let out a defeated sigh. "We did see each other today."
Ingrid's expression sharpened into a dangerous challenge. "When, exactly?"
"This morning. You woke me up with a holo-call."
"That does not count."
"It absolutely counts. One second I was sound asleep. The next, I wasn't. Entirely because of you."
