The sound of his laugh made her heart ache. She mirrored his smile because it was natural, and contagious, but the belt around her heart and lungs tightened one more notch at the sight and sound of him. She didn't deserve this.
She didn't say anything at first, instead taking more time to inspect the room. It was nice, and warm, and very Freddie. A thought suggested that the room was empty without some pictures of her scattered around, but she flinched that thought away. Instead, she turned back to him, listening and watching intently. "I can imagine," she said softly, taking solace in the fact that he couldn't have been so free if he had been attached to her. But maybe that was part of it. She didn't want to speculate.
Smiling at Freddie's comment, Alice took a sip of her tea. Without looking up, she pulled the cup from her lips and said absently, "I'm glad you ended up here." It took her a moment to realize what she had said, and she blushed softly when the words hit her own ears. "Oh," she murmured and took another sip of tea.