Aria found herself relaxing slightly as she talked about the hospital, about her patients, about the satisfaction of using her medical knowledge to directly help people. Alexander listened with genuine interest, asking intelligent questions, clearly understanding the medical terminology she used.
"You should have seen her during her residency," Damien interjected at one point. "Oh wait....you couldn't, because you weren't there."
The comment was pointed, and Aria shot Damien a look that clearly said not helpful. But Alexander took it without visible offense.
"You're right to be protective of her," Alexander said to Damien. "You're right to be skeptical of me. If I were in your position....if I loved someone and a man who'd caused her mother significant trauma suddenly appeared claiming to have reformed....I'd be protective too."
