“Those smell good,” I said.
She screamed, spinning around so fast she nearly knocked over the tray.
“What the fuck, Prime!” Her hand was on her chest, breathing hard. “You scared the shit out of me!”
“You know I can get in here anytime, Goddess.”
“Why are you here?”
“Checkin’ on you. It’s late.” I pushed off the doorframe and walked closer. “What are you making?”
“None of your business.” But she didn’t tell me to leave. “What are you doing here?”
“Wanted to talk to you.”
“It’s almost midnight. Normal people don’t just show up at midnight.”
“Good thing I’m not normal people.”
She rolled her eyes but I caught the small smile she was trying to hide.
“I want to take Yusef to learn how to box,” I said.
That got her attention. “What?”
“Boxing. Self-defense. Kid’s getting jumped at school. He needs to know how to protect himself.”
“I don’t—” She paused, wiping her hands on her apron. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“Because… because I barely know you. And you’re—” She gestured vaguely at me. “You’re you.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning you’re dangerous. And complicated. And I don’t need complicated in Yusef’s life.”
“He needs to know how to defend himself, Zahara. And I can teach him that.”
She was quiet for a long moment, studying my face like she was trying to figure out my angle.
“I already said fine,” she said finally. “But if anything happens to him?—”
“Nothing’s gonna happen to him. I promise.”
She nodded slowly, then her eyes dropped to my collar. Her expression changed. Hardened.
“What?” I asked.
“You got lipstick on your collar.”
I looked down. Fuck. There was a faint pink smudge on my shirt collar from when Farah had hugged me.
“That’s not—” I started.
“Save it.” Her voice was cold now. “I don’t care who you’re fucking. It’s none of my business.”
“I’m not fucking anyone.”
