The light ahead turned red, and Felix Preston stopped the car with the flow of traffic. He turned his head and looked at Sonia Quincy's smiling eyes, and felt a sudden sting in his nose.
"This is from your sister-in-law. If you refuse, she'll be sad."
At his words, Sonia Quincy glanced at Felix Preston, looking into his deep, gentle eyes and feeling enveloped by their lake-like tranquility.
He opened his mouth and spoke slowly, word by word, "She thinks of you as her own sister. You don't need to be so formal or treat her like a stranger. If you feel awkward about it, you can just pay her back later when you're earning money again."
"Mm-hmm," Sonia Quincy nodded, her smiling eyes crinkling at the corners.
"...Alright." Since both husband and wife had said as much, it would be improper for Lynn Preston to refuse any longer. She accepted the money and said solemnly to Sonia Quincy, "Sonia, thank you."
