Anyone else would have likely been nervous at Alex’s intensely staring gaze, but Cora knew better. It wasn’t an offensive glare; it was a searching expression, one of concern but also carefully calculating. She knew Cora couldn’t let her phone be out of sight and out of mind - it was rude to do so; a proper wife and woman would answer the calls even if she didn’t want to, play along appropriately then gossip later. Although it wasn’t directly spoken, it was mutually agreed that any calls or texts would wait until they were in a safe place out of the public eye. Alex’s bitter attitude piped up just in time to cause a genuine laugh from Cora. Sure, she shouldn’t laugh about her mother’s head being ‘bashed in’, but whenever she was with Alex, those mannerisms somehow seemed not important anymore. There was no reason to keep her back straight, shoulders high, chin up - not when they were together.

After giving the beginning directions towards their destination, Cora reached forward to turn the radio back on but kept it at a low volume so they could hear each other well. She didn’t mind country music - the slower songs reminded her of classical beats, which she majored in college and taught at local private schools. “Yeah, I could eat,” Cora replied smoothly, as if she wasn’t also hungry and in need of a good drink. The mimosas were sweet, but nothing sounded better than something salty and fried to go along with a sugary drink.

As the vehicle hit the streets, Cora rolled the window almost all the way down just to feel the wind bite her cheeks. Closing her eyes, she was quiet for a moment just to savor the feeling of safety, the scent of stables lingering despite the fresh air, then she frowned before opening her eyes. Good timing, too, since the next turn was coming up. “A left up here. After the Hilton, go right. The Marriott is down the street a bit.” Another moment of silence, of self reflection, before Cora realized what it was she was being silent for - selfishness. “How’s things at the ranch, anyway? Is old Nelson still being as stubborn as ever?” Cora would never forget meeting that horse the first time she went to the ranch. Her parents hated the idea but somehow Alex’s mother was able to subdue them enough to let the girls have a weekend together. At first the horse was standoffish and unruly - once Cora gently laid her little hand on his mane, he calmed enough and even brushed his nose against her neck. Cora giggled uncontrollably at the sensation; his following neighing made her think he was also laughing. “Any new photo shoots I haven’t seen yet?”