She stayed in the bathroom longer than she needed to.
The hot water helped. It washed away the smell of smoke and sweat from the party and loosened the tight knot that had been sitting between her shoulders all evening.
By the time she stepped out, Malcolm had already gone in.
Iyisha dried her hair with a towel, changed into a clean shirt, and climbed onto the bed.
Whatever.
She didn't care.
She stretched out on her side and pulled the blanket halfway over herself.
The shower kept running in the small bathroom beside the room.
Steam drifted slowly out from under the door.
She stared at the wall and tried very hard not to think about the party.
Not about Lucía.
Not about Malcolm laughing with her.
The water shut off.
A moment later the bathroom door opened.
Iyisha glanced up automatically—
—and immediately looked away again.
Malcolm stepped out wearing nothing but a pair of gray jogging pants.
Her eyes snapped shut.
Damn it.
