Maya found her at nine.
Everyone else had moved back to the main room or dispersed to their own spaces. Eve had ended up in the small sitting room alone — not intentionally. Just the natural settling of things when the energy of a celebration began to ease.
Maya appeared in the doorway with two cups of tea and the expression of someone who had located their target and was not going to be redirected.
She sat. Handed Eve a cup. Tucked her feet under herself in the way she always did on sofas.
"So," Maya said.
"So," Eve said.
"You won."
"I confirmed standing," Eve said. "It's the beginning of—"
"Eve."
"What."
"You won," Maya said. Simply. Finally.
Eve looked at her.
"Okay," she said. "Yes. I won."
Maya nodded with the satisfaction of someone who had been waiting for that specific acknowledgment. "Good. That's all I needed."
They drank their tea.
