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She put her hand on Taylor’s waist and smiled at her.

“I look forward to that, and to learning other kinds of techniques.”

Taylor looked at her with such heat in her eyes that if she said the word, Avery actuallywoulddrop her ax and drag her home immediately.

“I’m counting on it,” Taylor said. “Now.” She gestured at the ax in Avery’s hand. “Show me what you’ve got.”

She took a step back, and Avery went through her ridiculous windup routine again. But since she’d seen the grunter do it, she felt more justified. When she released her ax this time, it flew toward the target.

“Ah!” she yelled as her ax hit the very edge of the target.

“UUUUGGGGGGGGH,” the second burly man grunted as he threw his ax.

That time, Avery and Taylor both dissolved into uproarious, almost silent, laughter.

The four of them—Avery, Taylor, and their two grunting buddies—kept throwing axes for about an hour. Surprising herself, and, she was pretty sure, Taylor, Avery handily won their bet, though Taylor did at least hit the target twice.

“Was it as good as you wanted it to be?” Avery asked as they walked to the car.

Taylor grinned at her and put her arm around Avery’s waist.

“Better. The grunting really took it over the top. Now I understand why people like it. It’s weirdly fun to throw axes around. I don’t need to do it again—my ego isn’t up to that—but I get it.” She looked sideways at Avery. “Wearegetting something to eat now, right? After all that exercise, I’m starving.”

Avery shook her head slowly and took a step back.

“I’m honestly insulted that you thought you had to even ask that question.”

Taylor laughed and put her arm around her again, and Avery grinned. It was so refreshing to be with someone with whom she could joke around like this. She was now realizing that she’d dated far too many people who she’d never truly relaxed with enough for that. Either for her to make fun of them, or for them to make fun of her.

“You’re so right, I’m sorry, that’s on me,” Taylor said. “The question I should have asked was whether you had any plans for where we’re getting food, or if that was a game-time decision.”

Avery unlocked the car doors and they both got in.

“Well, I didn’t want to be dictatorial on the matter, but I was thinking burgers?”

Taylor let out a deep sigh.

“Thank God. Please take me to the burgers immediately.”

After burgers and fries andmilkshakes, they drove back to Taylor’s place. Taylor was a little uncertain about what hyper-organized Avery would say about her apartment.

“I’ve never seen your place before,” Avery said. “Are you hiding something in there?”

Taylor nodded as she unlocked the door.

“So many things, you have no idea. Mostly that I’m a total slob, don’t tell anyone.” She pushed open the door. As Avery looked around, Taylor winced as she saw her place through Avery’s eyes. She’d cleaned up—some—but her place was still pretty messy. Like, that pile of shoes in a jumble by the door—Avery would have had them neatly lined up or even on little shelves. She definitely would have organized those stacks of books, and would never have half-opened mail strewn around. And she absolutely would have remembered to water her plants in the past week.

“I wouldn’t call you a slob,” Avery said. “It’s not that bad. It’s not even bad at all, it’s nice. And I love all of your plants.”

Taylor laughed as she pulled off her boots.

“I love my plants, too, though I’m a terrible plant owner, I always forget to water them. But I haven’t killed one yet, so I keep buying more. Callie always gives me a discount, I can’t help it.” She took her wallet out of her pocket and tossed it on the mail-covered table. “Want something to drink?” She didn’t wait for an answer and walked back to the kitchen. Avery took off her sandals and followed her.

“Let’s see, I have wine, obviously, rosé and white; beer, which I’ve never seen you drink, but you could surprise me; sparklingwater in lime, watermelon, and no flavor; ginger beer; and then I have stuff to make, like, a gin and tonic or vodka tonic or whatever, if you want that; or just ice water. Or…” She trailed off as she looked at Avery. She was staring hard at a spot on the floor, with an odd expression on her face. She clearly hadn’t paid any attention to what Taylor had been saying.

“Hey,” Taylor said.

Avery looked up. “Oh. Um, I’ll have sparkling water. Lime, please.”