Page 39 of Bookworm

"Books can be heavy," he went on, "and I bet he eventried to catch her when she fell. Am I right?"

"I did catch her," Bo said, and Mr. Stryker gave his shoulder a pat.

"That's my boy," he said. "Now, about those muffins—"

"Sugar is bad for you," Bo's grandmother said.

"Omma, come on, it's a gift," Mrs. Stryker said and threw me a smile. "There's nothing wrong with having something sweet now and then."

The older woman sniffed. "Bo's more disciplined than you, Snow. Always has been."

As Mrs. Stryker went to protest, her husband laughed. "You know it's true," he said.

"Ash, you're supposed to have my back," she grumbled.

"I do," he said, laying a kiss on her forehead which made her frown melt away. "I always have your back, ninja girl."

"Stop calling me that," she said, but it didn't sound like she meant it. "Let's go inside and give the kids a minute alone."

"I'll just take this," Mr. Stryker said and grabbed the basket. "You're a nice girl, Charlotte—even if you did hit my son with a book."

I gave him a weak smile.

As they left, Bo's grandmother stayed behind.

Pointing to his face, she said, "You duck next time."

Bo nodded. "I will,Halmeoni."

Her finger pointed at me next, and I nearly jumped. She stared at me for a long moment then said, "You're stronger than you look."

With that, she left, and Bo and I stood there in awkward silence.

"Thanks for the basket," he said.

"You're welcome," I mumbled.

"You really didn't have to do anything."

"Yes, I did." I lifted my eyes to his and shook my head. "I'm going to make this up to you, Stryker. I don't know how yet. But I will."

Before he could say more, I held up a hand.

"Enjoy the candy and muffins," I said then turned to walk away. "I'll leave you to your workout."

Bo paused. "How'd you know about my workout?"

Closing my eyes, I gave myself a mental slap.

Ugh.

With a forced smile, I looked back over my shoulder and said, "You had to get those muscles somehow, right?"

"Right," he said slowly. "WhatHalmeonisaid was true, you know. I'm on a strict diet. No sweets."

I balked at that.

"But I might make an exception. Since you went to all that trouble."

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