Chapter 1
The sharp chime of the doorbell sliced through the silence of the apartment, dragging Maddy from the depths of sleep. She groaned, rolling over to squint at the red glow of her alarm clock. 12:00 AM. Who the hell would be at her door at this hour? Her first instinct was to ignore it, but something gnawed at her—no one would come this late unless it was important. Pushing herself upright, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, wincing at the cool air against her skin. She hadn't even bothered with pants before collapsing into bed earlier, still in just her underwear and tanktop. Rubbing her eyes, she made her way to the front door, peeking through the peephole.
Rosa.
The sight jolted her awake instantly. Maddy quickly unlocked the door, pulling it open to find Rosa standing there, arms crossed tightly over herself. Her usual composed demeanor was gone. Instead, her shoulders were stiff, her face pale beneath the dim porch light. A bruise was already forming high on her cheekbone, darkening by the second. Her eyes—usually sharp and unreadable—were rimmed red. She was shivering.
“Oh my god, Rosa—are you okay?” Maddy asked, stepping forward, already reaching for her. Rosa didn’t answer. She simply held Maddy’s gaze for a beat before Maddy stepped aside, silently inviting her in. As soon as Rosa crossed the threshold, Maddy shut the door behind her, locking it before guiding Rosa to the couch. With urgency but careful hands, she flipped on a nearby lamp, casting a warm glow over the room. The bruising on Rosa’s face looked even worse in the light. Maddy didn’t ask again. She just turned on her heel and hurried to the kitchen, yanking open the freezer. Grabbing an ice pack, she wrapped it in a dish towel and returned, pressing it gently into Rosa’s hand. Rosa took it without a word, placing it against her cheek with a slight wince. Maddy sat down across from her, pulling out her phone. She scrolled through her contacts, fingers shaking slightly as she tapped on Sergeant Terry Jeffords.
“What are you doing?” Rosa’s voice cut through the quiet, wary. Maddy looked up, confused.
“Calling Terry? Rosa, you got beat up. And don’t try to deny it.”
“No. Don’t.” Rosa’s hand shot out, her fingers wrapping around Maddy’s wrist. The touch was warm but firm, a silent plea. Maddy’s brows knit together.
“Rosa, you need to file a report. Beating up a person—let alone a cop—is not something we can just ignore. We’re going to—”
“It was Pimento.” Maddy’s breath caught.
“What?” Rosa looked away, her grip loosening on Maddy’s wrist.
“It wasn’t on purpose, okay? I’m fine. He’s not… he’s not abusing me.” Maddy didn’t look convinced.
“Rosa, you have a massive bruise—”
“It wasn’t on purpose,” Rosa snapped. Then, softer, “He gets nightmares. Bad ones. I tried to wake him up, and he—he lashed out. I wasn’t expecting it.” Maddy exhaled, watching Rosa shift uncomfortably, adjusting the ice pack. Her usual iron-willed, unshakable Rosa looked small. Tired. Worn-down in a way that had nothing to do with the hour of the night. Rosa must’ve read Maddy’s expression because she sighed, shoulders dropping.
“You know what? Forget it. I shouldn’t have come.” She tossed the ice pack onto the coffee table and pushed herself up, moving toward the door. But Maddy was faster. She darted in front of her, blocking the way with her body.
“Move.” Rosa’s voice was low, warning. Maddy didn’t budge.
“I don’t care if it was on purpose or not—I’m not letting you go back there tonight. It’s midnight, you’re exhausted, and you should not be driving. You can take my bed. I’ll sleep on the couch.” Rosa stared at her, something unreadable flickering behind her eyes. It was the kind of look Maddy had seen only a few times before—when Rosa had let her guard slip just enough to show vulnerability. Finally, Rosa sighed.
“Fine.” Maddy smiled, but she could still feel the tension radiating off Rosa in waves. She didn’t push it. Instead, she guided her back to the couch, gently placing the ice pack in her hands again.
“I’ll go grab you some PJs,” Maddy said, patting Rosa’s shoulder before disappearing into her room. She rummaged through her drawers, pulling out a pair of old sweatpants and a soft sweater before realizing—shit—she’d been standing in her underwear this whole time. Face heating up, she quickly grabbed some pajama pants for herself and cleaned up the room a bit before returning.
“Here,” she said, handing the clothes over. “If you wanna shower, go for it. I’ll grab you a towel.” Rosa hesitated, then sighed. A shower did sound good right now.
“Is that okay?” she asked, voice unusually soft. Maddy smiled.
“Yeah, of course. Come on.” She led Rosa into her bedroom and flicked on the bathroom light before ducking out to grab fresh towels. When she returned, Rosa was still standing there, scanning the space like she wasn’t sure she belonged in it. Maddy handed over the towels and then, after a moment’s hesitation, grabbed some spare underwear from her drawer.
“Here,” she said, setting them down. “Shampoo and stuff is in there, extra toothbrushes are under the sink. Oh, and be careful with the shower—it’s stupidly sensitive. One wrong move, and you’re either freezing or boiling.” That got a faint smile from Rosa. A small one, but it was something. Maddy took that as a win.
“I’ll be in the living room. Take your time.” Maddy left her to it, shutting the door behind her. Rosa sighed, rubbing a hand over her face, regretting coming here like this. She wasn’t used to being seen this vulnerable. When she finally looked in the mirror, she barely recognized herself. The bruise was worse than she thought, dark and angry against her skin. Her mascara had smudged, her eyes red from the crying she swore she wouldn’t let herself do.
She took a deep breath and stepped into the shower, letting the hot water scald her skin, washing away the tension of the night. She tilted her head back, closing her eyes as the steam curled around her. She grabbed some face wash, gently scrubbing away the evidence of her night, erasing the streaks of tears and makeup. She eventually managed to get out of the shower, but of course, the universe was against her. The long-sleeve shirt Maddy had grabbed was inside out, which Rosa only realized after shoving it over her head. The fabric twisted awkwardly, the sleeve tangled, and no matter how much she yanked, it wouldn’t go on properly.
“Fucking… ugh,” she muttered, frustration boiling over as she struggled to pull her arm through. From the other room, Maddy sat up on the couch, frowning as she heard Rosa’s muffled cursing. She set her phone down and stood, making her way toward the bedroom.
“Rosa?” she called out, knocking lightly on the bathroom door.
“I’m fine!” Rosa’s voice was sharp, but there was an edge to it—strained, fraying at the seams. “Just—this stupid fucking shirt won’t… won’t—ugh.” Maddy’s brows knit together.
“Rosa?” she asked again, her voice softer this time. Silence. Then, barely audible over the hum of the apartment, she heard it—the quiet, broken sound of Rosa trying to hold in a sob. Maddy didn’t hesitate.
“Rosa, I’m coming in,” she warned gently before pushing open the door. Rosa was sitting on the closed toilet seat, her face buried in her hands, the shirt still tangled around her shoulders with only one arm through the sleeve. Her shoulders shook slightly, and the sight made Maddy’s chest tighten. She crossed the small space without a word, kneeling in front of Rosa and gently prying her hands away from her face. Rosa didn’t resist, letting Maddy tug the shirt over her head and place it on the bathroom counter. Tears streaked Rosa’s cheeks, but Maddy didn’t comment on them. She just crouched there for a moment, giving Rosa a second to breathe before offering.
“I don’t mind if you just sleep in the pants and your bra, but I do have jumpers or tshirts if that would make you more comfortable.” Rosa sniffed, barely lifting her gaze.
“Shirt, please.” Her voice was small, raw. Maddy nodded.
“Okay.” She stood and walked to the dresser, deliberately taking a little longer than necessary to give Rosa time to compose herself. She pulled out one of her oversized shirts—the softest one she owned—before turning and handing it over. Rosa took it silently, slipping it over her head. Even once it was on, she stayed sitting on the toilet, her hands loosely clasped together in her lap, her eyes staring at nothing in particular. Maddy didn’t want to push, so she offered a small smile, trying to keep things light.
“Alright, well—I’ll be in the lounge. Room’s all yours. Although, fair warning, Snowball might bunk with you. She’s a bit of a blanket hog—”
“Can you stay?” The words were quiet, hesitant. Maddy blinked, caught off guard.
“What?” Rosa shifted uncomfortably, like she was second-guessing asking at all.
“I just… don’t wanna be alone. Not tonight.” Maddy’s face softened instantly. She reached over and flicked off the overhead light, leaving only the soft glow of the bedside lamp.
“Yeah. Of course.” Rosa let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Maddy pulled back the covers and climbed in, settling against the pillows before glancing at Rosa and nodding toward the empty space beside her. For a moment, Rosa hesitated, her fingers twitching slightly before she finally moved. She slid under the blankets, lying stiffly at first, like she wasn’t sure how to relax. Maddy didn’t say anything. She just rolled over and turned off the lamp, letting the room sink into darkness. The silence stretched between them, but it wasn’t heavy—it was warm, safe. Rosa lay on her back, staring at the ceiling, her mind still racing, trying to process everything. But as Maddy’s presence radiated warmth beside her, steady and unwavering, some of the weight pressing against her chest finally eased. Then, after a long silence, Maddy shifted beside her, voice barely above a whisper.
“You’re safe here, Rosa.” And for the first time in a long time, Rosa actually believed it.
Sometime later, Maddy stirred, shifting slightly in bed as she felt the soft press of fur against her back. Snowball. Without thinking, she reached out, fingers brushing through the cat’s thick coat, intending to pull her closer. But as she moved, her eyes fluttered open—and froze. Rosa’s shoulders were shaking. Maddy’s mind scrambled, unsure of what to do. Should she pretend she was still asleep, give Rosa the privacy she clearly wanted? Or should she say something, let her know she wasn’t alone? Would acknowledging it just embarrass her more? Before she could overthink it any further, Snowball meowed—loudly—clearly unimpressed that Maddy had stopped petting her. The sound cut through the quiet of the room, and Rosa stiffened. Her shoulders stopped shaking as she sucked in a quick breath. Maddy watched as she hesitated, then turned her head slightly, just enough for Maddy to catch the soft outline of her face in the dark. Their eyes met for the briefest of moments before Rosa quickly wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand and turned away again. Maddy hesitated before slowly reaching out, her fingers brushing over Rosa’s arm in a gentle, comforting touch. She rubbed slow, soothing circles against the fabric of the sweater she had given her earlier.
“It’s okay to cry,” Maddy whispered, voice barely above a breath. “Don’t be embarrassed.” Rosa didn’t say anything, but she didn’t pull away either. Maddy sat up slightly, carefully picking up Snowball and moving her in front of Rosa. The cat immediately perked up, sensing the shift in energy. Snowball let out a soft, inquisitive meow before headbutting Rosa’s hand, as if urging her to pay attention to something other than her sadness. Then, without hesitation, she curled up against Rosa’s chest, purring softly. Maddy smiled at the sight, but she didn’t say anything else. Didn’t push. She simply lay back down, turning over to face the other direction, giving Rosa the space she needed. Well, as much space as you can get in a double bed.
Rosa stayed frozen for a long moment, feeling the warmth of the small animal pressed against her. Her heart was still hammering from the vulnerability of being seen like this. The shame of Maddy catching her in a moment of weakness still clung to her, heavy and suffocating. But then, Snowball purred, the soft, rhythmic vibration breaking through the whirlwind in her head. Cautiously, Rosa moved her hand, running her fingers through Snowball’s fur. The cat stretched into the touch, nuzzling against her, completely unfazed by the moment of fragility. Rosa exhaled, long and slow. Unconsciously, she found herself matching the cat’s steady breathing, syncing her own inhales and exhales with the gentle rise and fall of Snowball’s small body. The tension in her shoulders slowly began to ease. Her thoughts quieted, just a little. For the first time that night, she felt like she could breathe.
Rosa woke slowly, the unfamiliar weight of a blanket tangled around her legs. For a moment, she forgot where she was, her half-asleep mind expecting to see her own ceiling, hear the distant hum of city traffic outside her window. But then she blinked, taking in the soft glow of morning light filtering through the curtains, the scent of something warm and comforting drifting through the air—tea, maybe coffee. Maddy’s place. She turned her head slightly, expecting to see Maddy still asleep beside her, but the bed was empty. Rosa exhaled, rubbing a hand over her face before sitting up. Snowball was curled into a ball at the foot of the bed, the small cat stretching lazily as Rosa moved. Careful not to disturb her, Rosa got up, padding softly toward the bedroom door. Stepping into the hallway, she moved slowly, still feeling the weight of exhaustion in her limbs. As she entered the kitchen, she spotted Maddy sitting at the table, already dressed for the day. She was scrolling through her phone, a steaming mug of tea cradled in her hands. Maddy looked up as Rosa approached, offering her a small smile.
“Morning,” she said softly. “Want a coffee?” Rosa nodded, still too groggy to respond properly. Maddy set her phone down and got up, moving effortlessly around the kitchen as she made Rosa’s coffee. The quiet sounds of the coffee machine filled the air, a steady hum that made the silence between them feel… comfortable. As Maddy slid the cup across the table to Rosa, she spoke again.
“I called in. Said we’d both be a little late today.” That made Rosa pause, her fingers curling around the warm ceramic. She looked up at Maddy, concern flickering across her face. Maddy must have anticipated the reaction because she quickly reassured her.
“Don’t worry, I didn’t say anything. Just told them your bike broke down and I was giving you a ride to work.” Rosa let out a quiet breath of relief, taking a small sip of her coffee. The warmth settled deep in her chest, grounding her. For a while, they just sat there, the silence stretching between them in a way that wasn’t awkward, but rather… understanding. Rosa wasn’t used to that. Then, Maddy spoke again, voice careful but firm.
“I know you don’t like talking about your feelings,” she said, eyes fixed on her tea, fingers tracing the rim of the mug. “But I do want you to know that if you ever do want to talk about anything, I’m here.” Rosa didn’t respond right away, but she gave a small nod. That was all Maddy needed—no pressure, no expectations. After another quiet sip of coffee, Rosa cleared her throat.
“You got any clothes I can borrow?” Maddy nodded, standing up and gesturing for Rosa to follow her back to the bedroom. She pulled open her closet, stepping aside to let Rosa find something close to what she normally wore. After a moment, Rosa settled on a dark-colored shirt and a pair of jeans that weren’t too far off from her usual style.
“You can change in the bathroom,” Maddy said, already moving to grab a towel in case Rosa wanted to freshen up. Rosa nodded, taking the clothes and heading into the bathroom. She pulled off Maddy’s sweater, setting it aside, before glancing in the mirror. The bruise on her cheek looked even worse in the daylight. The deep purple had darkened, spreading just enough to be noticeable. She inhaled sharply, pressing her fingers against the edge of the bruise—not enough to hurt, just enough to feel it, as if that would somehow make it less real. With a sigh, she quickly changed into the clothes Maddy had given her, taking a second to splash some cold water on her face before heading back into the bedroom. She found Maddy at her dresser, rummaging through a makeup bag.
“I think you’re a couple shades tanner than me,” Maddy said without looking up, “but I have this old concealer from when I did cheerleading and had a horrendous fake tan, so we can do a little arts and crafts with a couple products to cover that up.” She turned around, hands full of different concealers and powders. “Unless you want to leave it, say you got in a massive fight while undercover?” Rosa let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head.
“No, I, uh… I wanna cover it up. Saves me from the never-ending questions from Peralta and Boyle.” Maddy grinned.
“Smart choice. Come, sit.” She patted the bed beside her, and Rosa hesitated for only a second before sitting down. Maddy got to work, carefully mixing concealers to match Rosa’s skin tone. She applied a bit of color corrector first, dabbing it gently over the darkest parts of the bruise before layering on the concealer. Her touch was careful, precise, her face scrunched in concentration as she worked. Rosa sat still, watching Maddy more than paying attention to what she was doing. There was something oddly comforting about this—Maddy’s focus, her soft hums of thought as she blended, the quiet scratch of a makeup brush against skin. When she was finished, Maddy leaned back, smiling.
“Alright, moment of truth.” She grabbed a small mirror and handed it to Rosa. She took it, tilting her head slightly to examine her reflection. No bruise. No lingering evidence of the night before. She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
“Thanks,” she said softly.
“No problem,” Maddy replied easily, standing up and grabbing her bag. “Now, we should get going.” Rosa nodded, standing and gathering her things as well. As she slung the tote bag Maddy had lent her over her shoulder, her phone buzzed. She pulled it out, glancing at the screen. A message from Pimento.
Where are you?
Rosa stared at it for a second, thumb hovering over the keyboard. Her stomach twisted. She had no idea what to do. Maddy’s voice cut through her thoughts.
“You good?” Rosa snapped her head up, quickly nodding.
“Yeah. Yeah, all good.” She typed out a quick reply—Left early for work—before locking her phone and shoving it back in her pocket. Maddy watched her for a second, as if she could tell something was off but didn’t want to push. Instead, she simply nodded toward the door.
“Alright then, let’s go.” And just like that, the moment passed. Rosa followed Maddy out of the apartment, gripping the strap of her bag just a little tighter than before. As Rosa walked, she could feel her phone buzzing in her pocket again. Another text. She knew who it was before even looking. With a deep breath, she pulled it out.
Can we talk later?
Rosa stared at the screen, her stomach twisting all over again. She didn’t know what she wanted. Didn’t know what to say. Maddy’s voice from earlier echoed in her mind.
If you ever want to talk about anything, I’m here.
Rosa locked her phone and shoved it deep into her pocket, trying to ignore the gnawing feeling in her gut. She wasn’t ready to deal with that yet. Instead, she focused on getting through the day, one case file at a time. The precinct carried on as usual—Jake and Charles being their usual chaotic selves, Gina making sarcastic remarks from her desk, and Terry trying (and failing) to keep everything under control. The usual rhythm of the bullpen was comforting in a way, predictable. It gave Rosa something to focus on.
Maddy, for her part, didn’t hover. She did her work, shot Rosa the occasional glance, but never pushed her to talk. That was one of the things Rosa appreciated about her—she always knew when to give space. A couple of hours passed before Captain Holt called Maddy and Rosa into his office. The two exchanged a quick glance before heading inside. Holt sat behind his desk, his usual serious expression in place, hands folded neatly on the surface.
“I understand you were late this morning,” Holt said, looking between them. Maddy nodded.
“Yeah, Rosa’s bike—” Holt raised a hand, cutting her off.
“Spare me the excuse. While punctuality is of utmost importance in this precinct, I will overlook it today. However, I expect no further delays.”
“Yes, sir,” they said in unison. Holt studied Rosa for a moment, and she had to fight the urge to shift under his gaze.
“You look tired, Detective Diaz,” he noted. Rosa clenched her jaw.
“Didn’t sleep great,” she said simply. Holt nodded once, seemingly satisfied.
“Very well. Dismissed.” As soon as they stepped out of the office, Rosa let out a slow breath. Maddy gave her a knowing look but, once again, didn’t comment. The rest of the day passed uneventfully, but the weight in Rosa’s chest never really lifted. When the end of their shift finally came, she hesitated at her desk, staring blankly at her phone. Can we talk later? She wasn’t ready to talk to Pimento. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
“You good?” Maddy’s voice broke through her thoughts. Rosa blinked up at her, realizing the bullpen was starting to clear out.
“Yeah,” Rosa said automatically. Maddy didn’t look convinced. She crossed her arms, studying Rosa for a long moment before finally sighing.
“You wanna grab dinner?” she asked casually. “My treat.” Rosa hesitated. She could just go home, lock the door, and pretend none of this was happening. But the idea of sitting alone in her apartment, lost in her own thoughts, sounded worse.
“…Yeah,” Rosa said eventually. Maddy smiled, nudging her shoulder lightly before heading toward the door. Rosa followed, shoving her hands in her pockets as they stepped out into the cool evening air. Maddy drove them to a quiet little diner, the kind that stayed open late and always smelled like fresh coffee and fried food. It wasn’t fancy, but it was familiar, comfortable. They had been here before—late nights after long shifts, celebrating small wins, or just killing time before heading home. Sliding into their usual booth, Rosa glanced at the laminated menu even though she already knew what she was getting. Maddy didn’t bother looking, already knowing what she wanted. When the waitress came by, they placed their orders—black coffee and a burger for Rosa, a grilled cheese and hot chocolate for Maddy. Once the waitress left, Maddy leaned back against the booth, absentmindedly stirring a sugar packet between her fingers.
“You don’t have to say anything,” she said, eyes fixed on the table. “I just—wanted to make sure you weren’t, y’know, alone tonight.” Rosa sighed slowly, rolling her shoulders.
“Thanks.” Maddy nodded, still not looking at her. The silence between them wasn’t awkward, just… there. Comfortable in some ways, heavy in others. Rosa drummed her fingers against the table, debating whether she should say something. Maddy had been there for her—no questions, no pushing, just there. The least she could do was acknowledge it.
“…I don’t know what I’m doing,” Rosa admitted finally, her voice low. Maddy looked up then, giving Rosa her full attention.
“With Pimento?” she asked. Rosa nodded, staring at a crack in the tabletop.
“He’s not… hurting me,” she said quickly, like she needed to clarify that first. “But last night freaked me out. And I don’t know what that means.” Maddy frowned but didn’t interrupt.
“He has nightmares. Bad ones. I know that,” Rosa continued, her fingers curling into a fist on the table. “I knew that when I got into this. And last night—he didn’t mean to hurt me. He didn’t even realize what happened until I left. But…” She trailed off, her jaw tightening. Maddy hesitated before speaking.
“But it still happened,” she said gently. Rosa let out a bitter laugh.
“Yeah.” Their food arrived then, forcing the conversation into a brief pause. Maddy muttered a quick thanks to the waitress before picking up a fry and popping it into her mouth. Rosa wrapped her hands around her coffee cup, letting the warmth seep into her fingers. After a few minutes of quiet eating, Maddy spoke again.
“Look, I don’t know what’s going on in your head,” she said. “And I’m not gonna tell you what to do. But…” She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “I just—want you to be okay. Whatever that looks like.” Rosa didn’t answer right away. She took a slow sip of her coffee, the bitterness grounding her, before finally nodding.
“I’ll figure it out,” she said, more to herself than to Maddy. Maddy didn’t press her. She just gave a small, knowing nod and went back to her grilled cheese, as if saying, Okay. I trust you. And for now, that was enough.
After dinner, they drove back to Maddy’s apartment in silence, the weight of their conversation lingering between them. Rosa shoved her hands into her pockets, her mind still a tangled mess. She didn’t know what she was expecting to feel after talking about it—relief? Clarity? Instead, there was just… uncertainty. When they reached Maddy’s building, Rosa hesitated at the door.
“You wanna come up for a bit?” Maddy asked, looking at her carefully. Rosa shook her head.
“I should probably just head home.” Maddy frowned, clearly debating whether or not to push the issue, but in the end, she just nodded.
“Okay. You sure you’re good?” Rosa let out a small laugh, though there wasn’t much humor in it.
“No. But I’ll figure it out.” Maddy nodded again, hesitating before reaching out and squeezing Rosa’s arm. It was brief but grounding.
“Just… text me when you get home, okay?” Rosa rolled her eyes but smirked.
“Yes, mom.” Maddy huffed a laugh.
“Shut up and go.” With that, Rosa turned and walked to her car, feeling Maddy’s eyes on her until she rounded the corner. The drive back to Pimento’s place felt longer than usual. She pulled into the driveway, gripping the steering wheel a little too tightly before finally forcing herself to step out of the car. The front door was unlocked. Of course, it was. Rosa sighed as she stepped inside, dropping her bag by the door. The house was quiet, the air heavy. She could hear the faint sound of the TV from the bedroom—some old cop show playing in the background. She found Pimento sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at his phone. His hair was disheveled, dark circles under his eyes. He looked up when he heard her footsteps, his expression unreadable.
“Hey,” he said.
“Hey.” A beat of silence. Pimento’s gaze flickered to her face, his jaw tightening slightly.
“You covered it up.” Rosa instinctively reached up, touching her cheek where the bruise had been.
“Yeah.” He nodded slowly, looking back down at his phone.
“I—uh, I didn’t know if you were coming back,” he admitted. His voice was quiet.
“I just needed some time.” Rosa sighed, running a hand through her hair. Pimento set his phone down, rubbing his hands together.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you, Rosa. You know that, right?”
“I know.” Another silence.
“I’ve been thinking about getting help,” he said suddenly, his voice rough. Rosa blinked.
“Help?” Pimento let out a humorless laugh, shaking his head.
“Yeah. You know, therapy or whatever. The nightmares, the—everything. I don’t want this to happen again.” Something in Rosa’s chest tightened. She studied him for a long moment. There was a time when she would’ve just accepted that answer, taken it as enough. But now… she wasn’t sure what she felt. Still, she nodded.
“That’s good.” Pimento looked at her then, his expression cautious.
“Are you—are we okay?” Rosa hesitated. She didn’t know. But for now, she just sighed, sitting down on the bed beside him.
“Let’s just take it one step at a time.” Pimento exhaled, nodding.
“Yeah. One step at a time.” And for now, that was all she could promise.