1. An Invitation

Annie raised her fists in front of her face and bounced on her heels, pivoting back and forth, a challenging glint in her eyes as they narrowed on her target. He grinned back at her enjoying the rhythm of her heavy breathing and the scent of her sweat in the air.

"Is that all you've got?" he chided.

"Oh you just wait," she challenged.

"I'm right here, what are you waiting for?" he teased.

Right hook, left jab, block, jab, block, then she hesitated too long and his left sneaked through her defenses, but at the last minute he pulled his punch and it bounced off painlessly.

"You're going easy on me."

"Never."

"You can't do that. I'll get soft."

"I highly doubt that," Auggie remarked gripping the sides of her waist playfully.

"We're meant to be training!" Annie complained, though her face and tone betrayed her happiness.

"What can I say, I've taught you everything I know in this arena…. But there are other arenas."

"Oh there are are there?" Tell me more," Annie challenged as she set up for another punch after first warning him with an open hand that she was repositioning.

"Oh I have skills you've never seen," Auggie smirked playfully.

"Do tell."

"Some things can't really be taught, they have to be experienced."

"Tonight then? 8?"

"I thought you'd never ask."