The word was quiet.
Maya’s face changed.
Not immediately into anger.
Something closer to disbelief.
Jalen stepped toward Sloane.
Maya caught his wrist.
“No.”
Her voice barely worked.
Jalen looked at the flowers.
Then at Maya.
“Are you serious?”
Sloane shrugged.
“They’re flowers.”
Maya released Jalen.
She stared at Sloane.
“You took them out of my hands.”
“So?”
“And stepped on them.”
“They’ll die in a week anyway.”
The crowd had become silent.
Maya looked around.
Phones.
Faces.
People waiting.
She hated all of it.
“Move.”
Sloane smiled.
“Where?”
“Out of my way.”
“You’re going to report me for flowers now?”
Maya closed her eyes briefly.
There it was again.
Every boundary turned into accusation.
Every response turned into evidence.
“No.”
She opened her eyes.
“I’m going to pick them up.”
She stepped forward.
Sloane moved closer.
Maya stopped.
“Get out of my face.”
“Or what?”
Maya said nothing.
Sloane leaned in.
“That’s what I thought.”
Jalen’s hands clenched at his sides.
Maya saw.
“Go find Tessa.”
“What?”
“Please.”
He did not want to leave.
Maya gave him a look.
Jalen reluctantly stepped backward.
Sloane laughed.
“You sending your boyfriend away so you can make another scene?”
Maya looked at her.
“I’m trying to keep you from making one.”
That was when Sloane reached toward Maya’s shoulder.
Maya stepped back.
“Don’t touch me.”
Sloane’s hand dropped.
For perhaps three seconds, the moment seemed to settle.
Then Sloane reached again.
This time she caught Maya’s forearm.
Maya pulled free.
“I said don’t.”
Sloane moved forward.
Maya backed away from the crushed bouquet.