Kalina, overwhelmed by nerves, had turn to Dominique to sought reassurance from him. To her surprise, the usually unflappable Dominique was fidgeting nervously. This unexpected sight left her torn between laughing and expressing concerned, so she decided to embrace both emotions.
She opted for a playful tease. "Are you nervous?" she asked, amusement lacing her words. For once, she relished the role of the teaser.
Dominique's response was immediate, his voice edged with irritation. "Shut up!"
Her laughter bubbled forth, unable to be contained. Even Liam, typically so composed and stoic, was struggling to suppress his amusement. He knew he was dead meat if he dared laugh out loud, Kalina was the only person aside from his family, who could openly mock Dominique and get away with it.