This making women laugh was becoming a habit, or a talent, even if he hadn't actually intended to do it. Still, she was pretty when she laughed, golden and bright. Pretty much Vax's opposite. Which was probably what he saw in her.

He watched her fuss at her makeup, decided Z would probably like her fine, and said, "If I'd had money riding on it, I'd have lost. It's just nice to be in the same room with him five minutes without his gloomy mug souring the ale."