Aria slipped the hospital gown over her silk camisole and boxer shorts, tying the string at the back of her neck. It smelled faintly of industrial laundry detergent and old lavender, but aesthetically, it was absolutely flawless.
She settled into the plush leather of the backseat, waiting.
A minute later, the driver's door clicked open.
Richard slid into the driver's seat, pulling the door shut behind him with a soft thud. He reached up, adjusting his rearview mirror. The only evidence that he had just spent the last few minutes aggressively making out with a civilian was a very faint, almost microscopic smudge of pink lip gloss near the corner of his mouth.
Aria leaned forward, resting her arms on the center console.
"I just want to formally thank you for your noble sacrifice," Aria said, her voice dripping with genuine gratitude. "I know all that must have been incredibly awkward for you."
