Xavier was in his room messing with the phone settings when the knock came.
He opened the door halfway and found Arlen standing there, no jacket, hair loose, expression tight like she'd rehearsed this and still didn't like how it sounded in her head.
"What happened?" he asked.
She took a breath first. "I know this is going to sound selfish. And rushed. And probably desperate." She looked past him into the room, then back at his face. "But could we… do it tonight?"
Xavier didn't pretend he didn't understand. He opened the door fully and stepped aside. "Come in."
Arlen hesitated for a second, then walked in and sat on the edge of the bed, hands resting on her thighs like she didn't know where else to put them. She didn't look confident now. Not like she had in the prison. Not like someone who'd just walked through gunfire without blinking.
Xavier closed the door and leaned against it. "You're acting shy."
She let out a short, nervous laugh. "I am."
