Jennifer, still blushing furiously, mumbled something about making tea and hurried from the room, leaving Pierre and Jaegar alone.
For a moment, an awkward silence hung between them, broken only by the ticking of the ornate clock on the mantelpiece.
Then, almost simultaneously, they both began to laugh.
It started as a low chuckle but quickly grew into full-bodied laughter, the kind that shakes your entire frame and leaves you gasping for breath. It was cathartic, releasing months of tension and worry in a single, joyous moment.
As their laughter subsided, Pierre wiped tears from his eyes and really looked at Jaegar for the first time since he'd entered. His eyes widened as he took in his friend's transformed appearance.
"Well, well," Pierre said, a grin spreading across his face. "Look who's decided to rejoin civilised society. And there it is, in all glory, the handsome devilish appearance."
Pierre smothered as he leaned back on the sofa.
