and smoke too many cigarettes

This is lovely. You set up the context of their interactions very well. Simon's reluctance shot through his attraction, like everything, is beautifully conveyed. There are edges and nuances to this. I loved this line A whisper of cities and old money about their speech and their clothes.

The initial description of Inara made me think of onions - in the good, metaphor for layers way. This vignette is a very good onion, if you see what I mean.