"If it brings up too many bad memories, you don't have to do it." She didn't know if it was pain from divorce or death, but it was still pain. That kind of pain had a way of sticking to you and holding on too tightly. Nicky didn't think something as simple as dancing was going to drudge up old wounds, but she supposed that was what she got when she was testing for chinks in the man's armor. Some days she really did feel guilty for being her. It was hard to control something that had been driven into you with years of training and preparation.
"I mean, I'm not trying to make you uncomfortable or anything." Nicolette tried to smile, but the guilt was still weighing on her mind. A fake smile was still better than none at all. "Contrary to the way you talk about yourself, you don't seem all that bad. Could use a refresher on how to socialize and not look like you're brooding all the time, but that might be something we could all use."
She closed the case that contained her knives and thumbed the numbers on the numeric lock to secure it. Yes, that kind of cheap locking mechanism could be easily broken by pretty much anyone here, but it was a precaution that was required. If you weren't a human computer or super strong, you probably would keep your hands off the case because it wasn't immediately easy to get into. Wasn't there a saying? Locks keep honest people honest or something like that?
"But, if you can stand it, I would definitely be willing to give it a go."