Friend. Nida doesn't wince at that word, he takes it in stride right now. Even if there is a part of him still uncomfortable with how easily people throw that term around. Constantly. It should mean more than they make it mean. A lot more.

"I'd more call us coworkers. I was one of the instructors he was retaining for work here. Of course first I had to knock him down a few pegs to show him I was really as good as I claimed. I think he was holding age against me. But I get why. You don't want people to get hurt because some kid was more arrogant than they deserved to be."

See, he's a thoughtful man, and at least it fits reasonably with the situation. But the idea that she hasn't seen him in here before makes him smile. Almost laugh even.

"And I've been in here nearly daily since Danny opened. So I guess we just didn't meet up time wise."