Maya found her at nine.
Everyone else had either gone back to the main room or dispersed to their own spaces. Eve had ended up in the small sitting room alone—not on purpose, just the natural settling of things when celebration energy started winding down.
Maya appeared in the doorway with two cups of tea and the look of someone who'd located their target and wasn't taking no for an answer.
She sat. Handed Eve a cup. Tucked her feet under herself 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?"
"But you won Eve just admit it," Maya said.
Eve looked at her.
"Okay yes," she said. "Yes. I won."
Maya nodded with the satisfaction of someone who'd been waiting for that specific acknowledgment. "Good. That's all I needed."
They drank their tea.
