lly sorry about that,” he offered.
As Ava wrapped the end of her rope around her hand, she smiled.
“Next time, just ask me to spar with you,” she said, her hands on her hips. “You don’t have to trick me into it.”
Cale beamed, his tan skin alive, his eyes sparkling. Next time. There’s going to be a next time . “I can do that.”
It was all he could do to keep from bouncing up and down . Don’t celebrate yet. She hasn’t agreed to anything. He tried to stay collected, clearing his throat. “Hey, I told you I’d pay for today.”
Ava held out her hand, but Cale frowned.
“I don’t have it on me. Maybe you could stop by my house later to pick it up? I can give you my address.”
Ava stiffened. She didn’t like the idea of going over to a stranger’s house, especially one as strange as Cale. She didn’t know what it was exactly, but she knew different when she saw it. And Cale was different. She was about to turn him down when Walter stepped in again.
“I bet Karma’s making something delicious for dinner,” he said, slapping Cale’s back. “Ava, you should go. Trust me, they’re great people to know. What time is dinner, Cale?”
Ava began to protest when Cale interrupted.
“Six. My mom’s making steak.” Then he wrinkled his nose. “And some vegetable crap on a stick, if you like that kind of thing.”
“Perfect,” Walter said. “She’ll be there. T can give her a ride.”
Ava crossed her arms in disbelief. They’re having this conversation without me . She stepped back from the schemers so she could think about it. She had three options. One, she could use her bus money to buy a hotdog at one of the street vendors, leaving her stranded until T could give her a ride home.
Two, she could have dinner with Jim and Miriam. She fought the urge to gag at that thought.
Or, option three, mooch off of this odd, petulant dude’s family and never have to see him again .
“I guess that sounds good,” she said with a shrug. “Your parents won’t care?”
Cale almost laughed out loud. Care? “No, trust me, they won’t. Besides, I owe you one for beating you up.”
Ava glowered, but Cale thought maybe she was hiding another one of her smiles. “Fine. What’s your address?” she said.
“Give me your number and I’ll text it to you.”
Ava rolled her eyes and gave him the number against her better judgment. He was so excited he could barely hit the right digits with his thumbs. He flashed a grin at Walter and mouthed a “thank you” to him when Ava wasn’t looking. Walter pointed at her, then at Cale. Then he mimed being punched in the face. He mouthed, “watch out” to Cale, but he was smiling just as big as Cale was.
On the way out, Cale stopped to slip something into the backpack he’d seen Ava walk in with. The contents of the leather pouch were a gift to her. Cale wasn’t all for tradition, and he had the feeling Ava wasn’t either, but he still wanted her to have it.
He sprinted around the corner and headed home, forgetting to call Rory for a ride. Every time he took a step, Cale felt his heart get lighter and lighter. If he wasn’t careful, he might have convinced himself he could fly.
Three
Welcome
Ava tugged at the long-sleeved, green t-shirt that hugged her frame, doi ng a quick mirror check. It fit her fine, but it wasn’t comfortable enough for her taste. Still, she didn’t have many options. It was too warm to wear a sweatshirt, and she needed something long enough to cover up the new bruise she’d just added to her collection. As if my nose isn’t bad enough.
Her phone lit up and she grabbed it and shoved it into her backpack instead of answering. It was better to be quiet when Jim was in one of his moods. Miriam was cleaning up in the kitchen, sweeping up nonexistent dust bunnies, and Ava waved at her as she rushed through the front door, her way of letting her foster mother know to leave the window