Page 135 of Love Me Dangerous

She slides a plain white envelope across the table.

I turn it over to the return address.University of San Francisco School of Medicine Admissions. “Oof. Is this what I think it is?”

Ava squeezes her eyes shut. “It came yesterday but I couldn’t open it and now I’m too scared or maybe I’ve had too much coffee trying to psych myself up.”

Kirilee arrives and hurries over. After we share hugs, her gaze lands on the white envelope. “Ohhhh.”

“Open it for me,” Ava says, squeezing her face with her palms.

Kirilee and I share a look. She scoots the envelope to me.

“Okay, here goes.” I flip the back seal open and peer inside. If the envelope is thin, is that a good sign for medical schools, or is that only for college? After I remove the pages of thick paper, I unfold them in my lap. The top one is a letter from the admissions department.

Kirilee leans in to read with me.

Tears prick my eyes. I reach for Ava’s hand and squeeze. “Ready?”

“It’s bad, isn’t it?” she gushes. “I didn’t get in. It’s okay. I can re-apply. Or maybe I’ll get my second choice.”

“Ave,” I say slowly. “Take a breath.”

She obeys. “Okay. I’m ready.”

“You got in.”

Her eyes pop open. Her gaze flits from mine to Kirilee’s, as if she needs to see it on our faces to believe it. “I did?”

Kirilee points to the letter. “Says so right here.”

Ava jumps up, squealing. “I got in! I got in!”

Kirilee and I leap from our chairs, and the three of us hug and jump around, squealing and high-fiving.

“One of you win the lottery?” someone asks.

“She got into UCSF Medical School!” Kirilee shouts, and we start screaming all over again.

From the line of patrons comes a soft applause that spreads, growing louder. People at the tables rise to their feet and the applause turns thunderous, with hoots and whistles.

Ava is bright red and flustered by the time the noise settles. “Thank you,” she says to the room, giving a shy wave before settling back in her seat.

Nate delivers our order and gives Ava a high five. “This one’s on us, honey. We’re so proud of you.”

Ava gives him an earnest smile and wipes the corners of her eyes. “Thank you.”

We dig in. I go for a plain donut hole, dipping it in my coffee while Ava shares her plan. She starts in August, but she wants to visit in the spring. Kirilee has been all over the world and leaps into her top ten sights in San Francisco. While they banter about cable car rides and Alcatraz, my mind drifts. What is Zach doing right now? How is the custody case going?

“Wait, back up,” Ava says, frowning at Kirilee. “You don’t even like him.”

“Whoa, what’d I miss?” I say, snapping back to the conversation.

Kirilee twitches her lips. “My parents are sending me and Eric on a cruise this summer.”

“Just the two of you?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s not like you have to go,” Ava says, sipping her coffee. Though we all know Kirilee doesn’t stand a chance against her domineering father.

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