Alex's small smile became a small grin--a little nervous, at first, but quickly becoming natural as she realized that, while possibly a bit eccentric, Thomas didn't set off any of her inner alarm bells. He reminded her of a favorite uncle, one who was himself charmingly old-fashioned, and that helped.

Tavi's introduction may not have been quite as elaborate, but his clothes more than made up for that. Alex gave him an amused nod in return, eyebrows raised. "I like your hair." She was a sucker for bright colors.

[i]It's like we're split right down the middle,[/i] she thought, considering the serious man and woman that were following after Caden, as opposed to the free spirits currently gathered around Sylvia. The only one who broke the pattern in Caden's group was the redheaded young man who'd shown up late. [i]I hope our last three teammates round us out a little. I don't know what's going to happen if it turns out [b]I'm[/b] the practical one.[/i]