“That’s good, because all evidence to the contrary not withstanding, I do like to laugh. Some days it’s laugh or cry, you know, and laughing is so much easier.” Summer poked Tony gently in the side. “I like your smile. This one, this real one, that’s not a mask so sharp I could cut myself on it.” She waggled her fingers demonstratively. “Shall we make an agreement to smile more often together?”
The engineer returned her poke gently in her shoulder. “But I like my mask. It’s a part of who I am,” he spoke confidently, defending his expression with a smug grin. “We shall, m’lady,” he drew out the words in a feigned regal accent. “You look pretty when you smile.”
She reached up to touch his face with gentle fingers. “Flatterer. Flattery will get you everywhere.” One fingertip brushed over his mouth before she kissed him.