I sat on the chair closest to the table, took a long sip of the hot coffee, and leaned back. Cigarette dangling from my lips, eyes half-shut, just letting the warmth settle in. After yesterday's mess, this moment felt stupidly peaceful. Almost surreal.
"Did you see the weather report?" Nala asked around her sip. "The snowstorm starts this afternoon. Heavy one."
"Yeah." I exhaled smoke toward the ceiling. "Saw it. The guy on the TV last night looked like he was about to announce the apocalypse."
"Heavy winds, possible power outages…" She flipped another page. "Perfect timing."
"Mm. Love how nature always kicks you when you're already down."
She snorted. "Tell me about it."
"Think we'll get snowed in?" I asked.
"Probably." She exhaled. "God… I haven't slept in three days."
"I noticed," I said. "Your eye bags are legally a different department now."
"Shut up."
"Just saying."
She rolled her eyes and went back to her papers, blowing lightly on her coffee.
