(From the previous installment)
She thought about it for a moment, then gave a delicate little snort. “Actually, no. I never am. It’s probably the lack of sleep, making my tongue wag more than it ought. Hopefully I’ve not given you a disgust of me with all this soul bearing.”
“Far from it,” he hastened to reassure her. “In fact, I like this Josie Black far more than the one you usually present to the world.”
Her eyes met his for a brief moment. “Thank you,” she said simply. “I needed to hear that.”