Page 63 of Maid in Heaven

AVA: You up?

Will smiled at his phone and quickly responded to her.

WILL: Did you seriously just send me the ‘you up’ text? Ava… I’m not that kind of girl.

AVA: LOL. I didn’t mean it like that. I just couldn’t sleep.

AVA: Glad to see I’m not the only one.

Will scrunched his eyebrows in confusion.What time is it?He glanced up at the clock on his phone and grimaced. One-twelve A.M.

WILL: Wow. I didn’t realize it was this late.

AVA: Want me to let you go? I’m sure you need sleep.

WILL: No, not yet. I actually have a question for you.

AVA: Shoot.

WILL: Did you ever go to your prom?

AVA: Yeah. Both years. Why?

WILL: I never went to any of mine.

Will waited for a moment, flipping back to his social media feed to double-check the date and time on a virtual invitation.

WILL: What are you doing Tuesday night?

AVA: Oh, geez. Let me check my busy calendar.

WILL: Wanna go to prom with me?

AVA: Um… what? I think I’m about fourteen years too late for that.

WILL: My daughter’s specialist is hosting acharity event for children with diabetes. It’s an adult prom.

WILL: Would you like to go to prom with me?

Will waited while a text bubble with an ellipsis popped up and disappeared numerous times. He could see her struggling with her decision.

AVA: I’d love to go to prom with you. :)

WILL: Great! Pick you up at 7?

AVA: 7 sounds great. I’ll see you then.

AVA: Oh… and Will?

WILL: Yes?

AVA: Don’t forget the corsage. My favorite flowers are pink cherry blossoms ;)

22

Clad in a powder-bluedressshirt beneath a charcoal jacket and slacks, Will strodethrough the snow to Ava’s front door and knocked. Beyondthe etched glass,he could see the sheen of delicate fabric shimmy in his direction.Ava opened the door, revealing her light pink satin gown with a sweetheart neckline and off-the-shoulder sleeves.Her auburn hair was pinned upin a French twist,framed at the sides by a fewdelicate stray tendrils.

He didn’t blink. “Oh… my. I’m pretty sure my heart just stopped.”

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