Page 170 of Every Almost

"Focus, Solas," Reyna chided herself, rolling her shoulders and getting back to the reports.

I wonder if she notices I'm not there.

Reyna closed her eyes, attempting to shut off her mind by restricting its access to sight. It didn't work.

She set her stylus down, letting her hands drop to her lap while she laid her head on top of her desk, her forehead pushed against the surface to the point she knew she'd have a mark there from the corner once she looked up again.

"Captain."

Reyna jumped.

"Jesus, Torvax!" Torvax stood in the doorway of her office, back straight. Reyna took a few steadying breaths. "We need to get you a bell or something," she said, placing her hand against her chest in an attempt to lower her racing heartbeat.

"Apologies, Captain."

Reyna looked up at him. "It's okay," she said, standing up from her desk. "I apologize for my outburst."

"Understood," he answered.

Reyna looked at him and, as always, his expression was almost unreadable. But as he observed her, he tilted his head. Marginally.

"Was there something you needed, Commander?"

"I wanted to request your current position with the reports for the CASB Commissioner. I have finished with 'Earth Night' and am available to work towards completion."

"'Earth Night' is over?"

"Yes, Captain."

Reyna's mind flooded with questions. "How was it?"

"Enjoyable, Captain."

"Was there something specific you enjoyed about it?"

"Yellowstone. And the Disco Detonation Night at Comiskey Park."

Reyna stared at him.

"I didn't understand a word of that."

"I shall be sure to provide you with an extensive review of the night's festivities and narratives shared by Ms. Wickett, Captain. It will be on your desk by 0900."

Reyna took a deep breath, attempting to keep her exasperation hidden. "That's not necessary. But thank you for the offer."

"You're welcome."

Reyna looked down at her screen, eyeing the report that kept her tied to her desk with a glare, as though it had personally wronged her. Because, well, it had.

"This report requires precision," she said.

"It does," Torvax answered. "However, your current location suggests either the prose is unusually challenging, which I find incomprehensible, or your attention is preoccupied with other tasks."

Reyna looked up at him. His pale blue eyes held steady, completely neutral and giving nothing away.

"My attention has been on the report," Reyna said.

"Of course."