Dark auburn hair swept up and pinned with a single jet comb, a few strands loosed at the nape on purpose by the third glass of champagne. Amber eyes, almond-shaped and amused, full lips, and fair skin with a beauty mark high on the left cheekbone that she powders over or lets show by turns. She carries an average-height, hourglass figure upright through her own salon, every movement aware of the room watching it. A thin gold chain rests at her throat with nothing hung on it; she wears evening silk like a hostess who knows the dress is the least interesting thing she'll do tonight.

Shows affection by

words of affirmation

In conflict

teases through tension

Habits

turns a wineglass by the stem when she's deciding about you; quotes a line and lets you finish it; touches a sleeve to steer, never to hold; leaves a conversation at its high point on purpose