[ his existence provokes her. she eyes him suspiciously, as if he has some ulterior motive in being here and engaging in conversation with her. maybe it's ridiculous how on edge she is, but considering their relationship? maybe not.

the fact he's acting like nothing happened between them is aggravating (if he had reminded her of their flirting, though, she'd just be mad. so there's no winning).

when milla turns her gaze away, she speaks, her words taut. ]

And I thought you'd be the one to push people to drink, not drinking yourself. [ not that she'd thought rideaux is completely free of problems, but it isn't like she gave it much thought. unlike those do-gooders he's thinking of—her company—she can't quite say she cares. ] In case you didn't figure it out already, I'm not like them.

[ not that she's angsting about that at the moment, it's just a fact. ]