Nina gave him a soft look as he sat down again. "Yes," she answered. "That's what I'd like." She considered a moment and added, "If it won't bother you."

She knew, sometimes, the city was too much for him. She hoped her apartment was a little oasis, at least. She tried to make it that way: she'd gotten heavier curtains to block out sound at night, and the street lights.

She ran her fingers through her hair, fluffing it a bit to get it out from under the collar of her dress.