The music grew louder as the night settled deeper over Hydetown.
Someone dragged another table into the square while people kept dancing in the open space between the fire pits. The lanterns overhead swayed slightly in the evening breeze, throwing moving shadows across the street.
Iyisha stayed where she was beside the porch.
She hadn't realized how long she had been staring at the same spot until Marybeth nudged her elbow.
"You're doing it again," Marybeth said.
"Doing what?"
"Watching him."
Iyisha looked away immediately.
"I'm not."
Marybeth snorted quietly but didn't argue.
Before Iyisha could say anything else, a voice spoke behind them.
"This you friend?"
Iyisha turned.
A man stood there holding two cups. He was tall, broad-shouldered, maybe a little older than her. His hair was shaved close to his head and a crooked smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Hi. I'm Mateo," he said.
He held out one of the cups.
