Page 24 of Dead to Me
Another knock.
“You in there?”
I shoved the bag under the bed.
“One second.”
I checked my face in the mirror before opening the door. China stood there barefoot, holding two glasses of champagne.
“I thought you were going to the bathroom.”
“I did, then I laid down for a second.”
She smiled.
“I brought peace offerings.”
I looked at the glasses.
“You know I’m not drinking.”
“Just one.”
“I said no.”
Her smile tightened.
“Okay.”
She walked past me without waiting for an invitation. Same old China. I closed the door. She set the glasses on the dresser and sat on the edge of the bed, right above the duffel.
“You disappeared.”
“I was tired after using the bathroom.”
“Malcolm said you were acting weird.”
I laughed.
“Malcolm says a lot.”
China studied me.
“He thinks you hate him.”
“I do.”
Her eyes widened. I smiled.
“You asked.”
She looked down at her hands.
“What about me?”
The question beneath all the others. I leaned against the dresser.
"What about you?”
