“I understand. Family should always come first. How are your boxing lessons going?”

“Haven’t had any since we got back. I need to coordinate that too.”

“Mr. Steele was in here earlier today.”

“Oh, really?”

“He wanted to know if I was okay with him incorporating your lessons into soccer practice for the team.”

“How is he going to do that?”

“I believe self defense is going to be part of your workouts several times a week. Really, I’m all for you girls learning how to defend yourselves.”

“Wow! That would be awesome! And mean I get more sleep.”

“I was going to say give you more time for homework.”

“That too,” I say as the bell rings. “Thanks. I better get to lunch.”

I’m perfect.

Lunch

I sneak up on Aiden in the lunch line and kiss his shoulder.

“Where were you? I went to meet you at ceramics so we could walk to lunch together, but Jake said you left class early.

“I just wanted out of class. And I had a couple things I wanted to okay with the dean about the baskets for Saturday night.”

“Did he okay them?”

“Yep. All ready to go.”

“Hey, before we sit down, is Maggie okay?”

“I think so. Why?”

“Logan just said she’s been acting funny. Really happy one minute, totally depressed the next. And that’s not really like her.”

“I think it’s okay that I tell you. The reason she went to Logan’s on Thanksgiving was because she got into an argument with her stepdad and her mom totally took his side.”

“So she’s still upset about that?”

“I don’t know for sure. But I know I would be.”

“And how about you?”

“You’re standing here with me, Aiden. Right now, I’m perfect.”

I get the blazing smile. “That makes me happy. Promise me you’ll tell me if anything goes on with Chelsea, okay?”

“I promise.”

We sit down at our table and, just as I’m taking a bite of salad, Annie plops down across from me so hard she shakes the whole table.

“He broke up with me! I was going to break up with him, but the asshole beat me to it!”

“What’d he say?”

“He said I was getting too serious. He’s the one who asked me out! How was I getting too serious?”

Jake says, “He’s stupid. Why he’d want a skank like Chelsea, I have no idea.”

“Because she’s really pretty,” Annie says. “And she’s easy.”

“Easy is not a good thing,” Jake tells her.

“Actually, Annie,” I say, “you should get glammed up with Whitney, Peyton, and me. We’re going to do each other’s makeup before the party.”

“Sounds fun.”

“Good, because Ace will be at the party. And you know what they say.”

“What do they say?”

“Looking good is the best revenge.”

Annie nods. “I like that. I want him to see me looking all glamorous and want me back.”

“Fight fire with fire.” I laugh.

“By looking hot?” Maggie asks. “I want in on that too.”

“Me too,” Katie chimes in. “Bryce, you’ll be drooling.”

“Of course, it sort of depends on what outcome you want,” I tell Annie.

“What outcome?”

“Yeah, do you really want him back or do you just want him to want you back?”

Annie thinks about it for a minute, then says, “No way I’d take him back. Even if it means I end up dateless for Winter Formal.”

“I bet you’ll have a date before he does,” Maggie says.

Your gaydar is broken.

French

Miss Praline starts right in on a lecture, so I write a note to Aiden and drop it over my shoulder.

I bought you some birthday presents last night. I’m excited for you to open them.

All I want for my birthday is you. 

Like all of me? Does that mean you’re ready to?

I’ve been ready, Boots. I want you to be ready.

I know. I appreciate that. 

French weekend will be busy. I’m really excited for it. I’m going to try to speak French to you the whole time.

Really?

Ha. Well, I wish, but probably not. I’ve been studying a few key phrases though.

Like what?

It’s a secret. 

Are they from the dirty French book?

Nope. 

Darn . . . 

Next weekend, I told you my parents are coming in for your dance competition and for my birthday. Then, I was thinking . . .

About what?

You’re done with the competition on Friday at noon. My parents are going to visit some friends and Peyton is leaving to spend the weekend with Damian. What if we spent the weekend at your loft? We could relax, go Christmas shopping, see the Rockefeller tree all lit up. 

Miss Praline finishes her lecture and gives us time to work on our homework, so I turn around. “I’d love that.”

Aiden grazes my hand with his finger, giving me instant goose bumps. “Je veux vos lèvres sur les miennes,” he says, his voice rough with desire.

Annie rolls her eyes. “Don’t be all sexy and say I want your lips on mine in French. It’s depressing.”

“Annie, it’s Ace’s loss,” Aiden says to her. “How do you know there’s not someone better waiting for you? He was your first serious boyfriend, right?”

“Yeah,” she says, probably wondering where he’s going with this.

“See? He was your warm up pitches.”

“What do you mean?”

“In baseball, the pitcher gets to throw a few pitches before he faces a batter. Maybe Ace was your warm up and you’re ready to start the game for real.”

Annie ponders that.

“Is there anyone you think is cute?” I ask, hoping she has a list.

“Well, sure. There are lots of cute guys.”

“Any who are single?”

“Well, I mean, Jake is super hot, and he was really sweet at lunch, but I know he was just being nice. He’d never go for me.”

“I think you’re wrong. But what about Brad? He’s not seeing anyone either, and he’ll be there tonight.”

“Oh, he’s really cute too. And he’s got those broad shoulders.”

“I’m not completely sure,” Aiden says in a hushed voice, “but I think Brad might bat for the other team.”

“So could I pitch to him too?” Annie says, clearly still thinking about baseball.

Aiden breaks out in laughter, so I clarify. “I think Aiden is saying Brad might be gay.”

“Really?”

“I’ve never gotten a gay vibe from him at all,” I say to Aiden, agreeing with Annie.

Aiden whispers in my ear. “Says the girl who dated someone gay for over a year. I think your gaydar is broken.”

I stick my tongue out at him, because he’s probably right.

He glances at the teacher then grabs my tongue with his lips, pulling me into a very steamy kiss.

Strong, fierce, confident.

Soccer

During soccer practice, Cooper announces that the new Steele Building Workout will now include two days a week of boxing and self defense training.

“Monroe, come up here.”

When I’m standing in the middle of the mat, Cooper says, “I’ve been doing some private lessons with Monroe here. Learning to defend herself is just one of the perks. She has also greatly improved her core strength, her flexibility, and her overall strength. On the soccer field, you are constantly running into other players. Your ability to hold your ground, to resist getting knocked down, and to have good balance while running are all improved by workouts like these. Show them your stomach,” he tells me.

I lift up my shirt.

“Monroe is very active. She surfed, played soccer, did some kickboxing workouts, and danced before she came to Eastbrooke. Here she works out on her own time, as well as with the soccer and dance teams. What’s happened to your body since beginning our workouts?”