Page 67 of Maid in Heaven

“Ihatefish sticks. Miss Amy doesn’t make them crunchy like you do. Hers are soggy. And the way she cooks broccoli, Dad, itsmelledlike a fart.”

Ava snickered.

Will looked at Starla, eyebrows crinkled.“Star, you gotta eat.”He sighed, long and deep. “Do you want a popsicle?”

“I want ice cream.”

Will rubbed his eyes so hard he saw stars. “You can have a tiny bit of ice cream, but only if you promise me next time Amy is here, you will eat your dinner.”

Starla just stared at him from the depths of her pillow.

“Allof it.”

Starla nodded unconvincingly.

Will shook his head, defeated. “I’ll be right back.” He breezed out of the room.

Starla waved Avacloser. Ava took Will’s spot on the edge of the bed.

“Can I tell you a secret?” Starla’s voice was small and quiet.

Ava looked around and nodded gently.

Starla cupped a hand around her mouth and whispered, “Sometimes I don’t eat dinner so that I can have juice and ice cream. Don’t tell Dad.”

Ava shook her head. “I gotta watch out for you. Too smart for your own good.”

Starla chuckled, holding her finger over her mouth.“Gum’s the word.”

“I think you meanmums the word.” Ava pretended to zip her lips and throw away the key.

Will walked back into the room with a juice box and a small bowl of strawberry ice cream.Gremlin weaseled her body toward the treat, sniffing the air wildly. As Will handed it to her, Gremlin swatted Starla’s arm.

“No. Gremlin. It’s mine.”

Gremlins stubby snout snorted with disdain.

“Eat up, Star. We can check your levels again in a bit. If they’re still low, you can have a string cheese.”

Starla nodded and slurped downthe contents of the juice boxin a few pulls.

“Can we watch a movie?”

“No, baby. Finish your ice cream and get some rest. Youcan watch a movie in the morning.”

“But… Daddy.”

Will’s eyebrows rose, and he stared at his daughter.

“Can’t we… watch one of your… old movies… with Miss Ava?” Starla pouted.

Will shot Ava a look, flustered by the further delay of where they left off at the prom.

Despite Ava’s longing, she would never come between a father and his child. “I mean, I’m okay with it,”she said.

“Yay!” Starla croaked, rising from her pathetic display like Lazarus.

As the credits ofSinging in the Rainrolled across the screen, Ava and Will looked at each other from across the couch. Starla was fast asleep, stretched across both of their lapslike an accidental spacer.

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