Page 12 of Maid in Heaven

He removed one of his earbuds and walked toward them. “Hey! Remember me?”

An intoxicating mix of sweat and spiced cologne wafted by her. Though part of her melted into jelly, her insides turned into a sudden jumble of nerves.

“Yeah, you’re the guy who saw me get fired,” she chuckled, though it wasn’t funny.

“Yeah, about that, I feel like a good bit of that might have been my fault. I hope you know that it wasn’t my intention to distract or frustrate you. In retrospect, it was just really bad timing. I should’ve just come back another time. I’m sorry for how all that went down and any part I played in it.”

She smirked. “Mmmm. I appreciate that.”

Madison wrapped her arm around Will and asked, “How’s Starla?”

“She’s good! Before long, she’s going to be a force to be reckoned with, you can tell. Kidsare still pickin’ on her, but her comebacks are gettin’ quicker and funnier every day.”

Ava’s eyes met Will’s, and for a second, she felt dumbstruck. Quickly regaining her composure, she smiled, “It’s nice to see you, Will.”

“Yeah, nice to see you, too. You ladies have a good workout.”

“No such thing,” Ava fired back, followed by a laugh.

Will laughed and shook his head, returning the earbud to his ear and walking back to the lateral pull-down bar several yards away. Madison looked from Ava to Will, then back to Ava.

“What?”

“You shouldbanghim,” Madison whispered loud enough for those around them to stop and stare. “You can totally tell there is something there.”

“Shhhhh!” Ava was mortified. “Shut the hell up. Everyone can hear you.”

“No, he’s got earbuds in. Look, Ava, from what I have heard, he gets around, and he’s a damn good lay. Look at him. He’s a single D.I.L.F.”

“A what?”

“Oh Lord, you are rustier than I thought.” Madison leaned in. “Dad, I’d Like to F-”

“I got it,” Ava interrupted.

“So… go ask him out!”

“Him?!” Ava was in shock. “Naw! I don’t know if I’m ready. I’m bringing all of this,” she waved from her unkempt hair to her dingy shorts, “nonsense into a new relationship. That’s not fair to anyone. I need to get my life straightened out first.”

In a display of uncharacteristic seriousness, Madison said lowly, “Life is messy. You deserveto move on. I’m not saying you have tomarryhim. Just… maybe go have a drink? You gotta get out of that house and godosomething.”

“I hear you… but, no, I can’t do that. I’m not ready.”

Madison placed her hand on Ava’s arm, “Sack up, girly. You got this. Go.”

Ava knew she’d have to listen to Madison goad her the whole time if she didn’t. She was nothing if not annoyingly persistent.

“Fine. I’ll go ask, but once he shoots me down, I’m only doingtenleg presses.”

“Whatever. Deal.”

The bargain had been struck. Now, Ava felt a flush rise from her neck through her cheeks. She stood from the press and walked toward Will. He was seated, tugging on the pull-down bar. She hesitated, studying his rock-hard body in the wall of mirrors before finally tapping him on theshoulder. He set down his weights and turned to face her.

“Oh, hey! What’s up?” he asked, removing his earbud again.

“Thanks for what you said back there. We kinda got off on the wrong foot.”

“Nah, you were busy. I didn’t take any offense.”

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