The shower was by no means quick. More like lengthy, and energetic. By the time they made it out, Aedan was considering going back to bed for a nap. He told Rosa, just to watch her laugh, and then pulled on his clothes as she did the same. It was a shame to watch the body he’d just had his hands all over covered up, but they had to get something to eat eventually, and they’d never make it out of the house if he spent any more time around her naked and clean and... Aedan cut the thought off before it could get him in trouble.

When they were fully dressed, he took her several blocks over to a slightly larger diner, a bit more cheerful than the last and certainly cleaner.

“We can take the subway over to the gym. The stop is just down the block,” Aedan said, pausing midway through another large breakfast platter.

Rosa stared as he industriously made his way through a stack of pancakes dripping with syrup, apparently fascinated by the process. Or by how much he could eat.

He caught her watching and grinned. “Yeah, I know. Not the healthiest choice, but I have a real craving for pancakes with syrup. Frank would yell, or make me run more laps. Probably both.” His grin widened. “Just don’t tell him.”

Rosa shook her head, the corners of her mouth twitching upward like she was trying not to laugh. “Your secret’s safe with me.”

They made small talk while Aedan finished his second breakfast. Her bagel was already long gone, but she didn’t seem to have a problem with sipping her coffee and watching him eat.

He finally pushed his plate away and patted his belly. “That was really good.”

The waitress came by, asking if they’d like more coffee, laying the check on the table. Rosa reached for it, but Aedan put his hand over hers.

“I’ve got this.” He frowned at her.

“But—”

“I said I’ve got this.” He pulled the check from beneath her fingers. “It’s okay, really.”

“I feel bad, though.”

His frown deepened. “Rosa, just let me pay, okay.”

She sat back, arms crossed over her chest.

“And don’t pout either. As cute as that looks on you, it doesn’t work with me.” He took out his wallet, dropping crumpled bills on top of the check. “All the time. It doesn’t work all the time.”

“I’m not pouting, Aedan. I just don’t see why—”

“I need to, okay? Just leave it.” He slid out of the booth, holding out his hand to her. “Let’s go see the gym.”

Rosa looked at his outstretched hand for a moment, and Aedan wondered if he’d upset her. Then she reached out and took it.

“I don’t really understand why it’s such a big deal. We’re not living in the fifties,” she said as they walked out of the diner and down the street. “Couples share the cost of things, these days. And it’s not like I can’t afford it.”

That was exactly the problem. Aedan shook his head. “I like paying.”

“Okay. Fine.” Rosa didn’t look like she was entirely convinced, but she laughed. “Male pride. It’s just an excuse to be stubborn.”

Aedan held her hand as they headed to the subway stop. It made him happy to be out with her, walking down the sidewalk in the bright morning sunshine. He managed to pay for her subway fare without an argument, which he thought was mostly because she seemed to have no idea how the process worked, and he got to the machines before she realized what he was doing. He ushered her into the crowded car as she stared around her like she’d never seen the subway before. Maybe she hadn’t.

They found seats and she was quiet for a short time before turning to him. “You never really explained how you got the black eye? I wanted to ask last night, but...well, I never got a chance.”

Aedan touched his face. “It’s nothing, really. Happens a lot, especially with a new sparring partner. There’s a knack to judging distance between you and your opponent in the ring. He hasn’t got that yet. He judged wrong, ended up catching me with his head instead of his fist.”

Rosa cringed. “Do you get hurt a lot?”

“As much as anyone does, I guess. You’ll see it a lot more when I’m in matches. Split lip, swollen eyes, other cuts. Lots of bruises.” Aedan shrugged. “It happens. It’s part of the sport. Most injuries are pretty superficial. But some can be career-ending, or worse.”

“Worse? Like how?” She sat watching at him, eyes wide.

“Head injuries, broken neck, spinal injuries...paralysis. Death. Although that’s rare.” He took her hand again, running his fingers over hers. “None of that’s ever going to happen to me.”

“Aren’t you scared?”

“Of being hurt? I’m not looking forward to getting hurt, but it happens. Not much I can do other than train hard and defend myself. I can’t make them not hit me.” They were coming into the station, and the look on her face made him want to change the subject. “This is our stop.”

Rosa was silent on the short walk to the gym. Aedan let it go for a minute, then turned to her. Something was obviously up. “You okay? No twenty questions now?”

She looked at him, eyes serious. “I guess it didn’t occur to me how dangerous this was, until this...” She reached up, gently touching his eye.

He smiled down at her, kissing her briefly. “It’s okay. Like I said, nothing’s going to happen to me. Don’t worry.” He started moving again, guiding her forward, and held the heavy door to the gym for her, his hand on her back. He felt her tense beneath his hand in the open doorway, hesitating.

The familiar sounds of the gym washed over him, something he took for granted. But for Rosa, he realized this must be a completely alien environment. He felt a tinge of discomfort bringing her here, but he wanted her to know where he came from, what he was about. And just how important this was to him.

“This way.” He took her hand, leading down the side of the long room. He could hear Frank bellowing in the corner, standing by the heavy bag for one of the guys. The air was heavy with the smell of wet hand wraps and hardwood floor, canvas and sweat. The familiar scent of competition. Aedan took a deep breath.

“Hit the bag! Knock out...everything’s a knock out! Come on, let’s go! Hit that thing. Okay! As fast as you can.” Frank was holding his stopwatch, eyes flashing between the boxer and the watch. “Okay! Thirty punches. Fast as you can! Knees up, knees up!”

Frank turned and caught sight of Aedan, his face creasing into a smile. Then he saw Rosa and the smile froze, his eyes widening. Aedan stifled a laugh as the trainer came over.

“You bringing your own sparring partner these days? She’s a couple weight classes below you, Aedan.” He gave Rosa a grin as he spoke, obviously trying to bring her in on the joke.

She smiled shyly back at him. “You know what they say about judging a book by its cover.”

“And fast.” Frank chuckled.

Aedan shook his head. He should’ve known better than to worry about how she’d handle the guys. “Frank, I’d like you to meet Rosa. Rosa, this is Frank, who gives me hell all day.”

Frank stuck out a big hand. Rosa shook it. “So you’re the girl making him late for training. I should be upset...and I am.” He stared down at her, winking. “But, you know, it’s okay. Just don’t make a habit of it.” His gaze moved sternly between them. “Either of you. He’s my prize guy at the moment; can’t having him slacking off.”

“I’ll kick him out of bed bright and early next time,” Rosa promised.

“Hey, now,” Aedan protested.

She gave him the kind of innocent look he knew was a complete lie. “I’m just following instructions.”

Frank laughed, then poked Aedan in the chest. “You. I need to talk to you a minute. Come here.” He threw one big arm around Aedan’s shoulder, pulling him away from Rosa, who was looking curiously around the room, and behind the second heavy bag. His tone dropped to a low beat. “Look, kid. I hate to bring this up now. I know things are rough for you, but you’re behind on gym fees. They’re giving me a week for you to catch up. I can’t front you the money this month, or I’d take care of it for you, till things got better.”

Aedan stared down at the ground a moment before meeting his coach’s concerned eyes. “Yeah. No problem. I’ll take care of it.”

“I figured you would.” Frank slapped Aedan on the back and went back to haranguing the guy hitting the heavy bag.

Aedan walked back toward Rosa, forcing a smile on his face. Frank had covered him in the past, but Frank’s wife had been sick, and things were tight. Aedan knew the story. It’s nothing I can’t find a way to handle.

Rosa wasn’t standing where he’d left her any more. She was a little way away, her attention on a tall redhead who was talking earnestly to her as she nodded up at him. Aedan picked up his pace, but it seemed that their conversation was already ending, because the redhead turned away. He waved at Aedan as he walked by.

“That’s Joe,” Aedan said as he reached Rosa. “If he didn’t introduce himself. Nice guy.” His eyes followed the other man across the room for a moment before he turned back at Rosa. “Did he want to talk about books? He reads more than any person I know, and he’s always going on about whatever he’s read last.”

“No, nothing about books.” She shook her head. “He...wanted to talk about you.”

“Really?” Aedan cocked an eyebrow at Rosa.

“He wanted to make sure I knew what a decent person you are.” There was a slightly bemused smile on her face. “Like he wanted to make sure I wasn’t...taking advantage of you. Not sure. He seemed really intent on getting across that you’re a ‘good guy’. I think he said that three times.” She linked her fingers through Aedan’s and smiled up at him. “I told him that I already knew.”

“Huh...” Aedan processed the unexpected information, then shrugged. “He’s a good guy too. Although I usually take him down when we spar.” He grinned at her, then cast a glance around the gym. “You want to meet some of the other guys? There’s a few here I work out with pretty regularly. The guy in the ring now, in the blue trunks, is T.J. I spar with him almost daily. The other guy is new... I think he’s called Butch.”

Someone jostled Aedan and he turned as a big, dark-haired guy lumbered to a halt beside them. “And this big guy is Matt.” Aedan punched Matt in the arm. “We go back to the beginning, when I first came here. Mattie’s getting too big though; he’s out of my weight class now. I’m left with all the other guys.”

Matt completely ignored Aedan, his smile all for Rosa. “How’d a guy like him talk a sweet girl like you into visiting this shit-place? I mean place. Not shit. Shit, sorry! I said it again.”

Rosa burst out laughing, “He got me here by not calling me ‘sweet girl,’ to start.” The smile that went with the words said they were a joke, but Aedan knew Rosa well enough to catch the serious undertone, and he was pretty sure Matt hadn’t missed it either.

“She’s got you there.” Aedan laughed.

Matt had the decency to look a little sheepish. “Yeah. Okay. That’s fair. He ever does, and you look me up.” He winked at Rosa, then slapped Aedan on the back and headed through the locker room door.

“Mattie’s a good guy,” Aedan said. “I like sparring with him. He routinely pounds the crap out of me. Frank says it builds character.”

“I think Frank might be making things up as he goes along.”

Aedan turned to look at her, laughing again. “You’re kind of sassy today, you know that?”

Rosa smiled sweetly at him. “Gotta keep up with the boys somehow.”

Someone from across the gym yelled Aedan’s name and he punched a fist into the air. “While you’re keeping up with the boys, then, there’s one more I’d like you to meet.”

He pulled her past the ring where the two men were now locked in a clinch—muscles bulging, lungs reaching for air, sweat dripping onto the mat—and over to the guy who was waiting for them. “Hey, Sam. How you doing? I’d like you to meet Rosa. Rosa, Sam.”

“I’d offer to shake hands, but I’m a little sweaty.” Sam was dripping sweat from head to toe, his gray sweats stained dark under the arms and across his broad chest. He grinned. “And I guess I’m not doing as good as you are, since I’m in here doing all the work while you’re jacking off. Oh. Sorry.” His eyes flicked back to Rosa. “Language. We don’t get many ladies in here. Or any, actually. Why do you think that is? Don’t girls want to punch things sometimes?”

Rosa laughed. “I think we’re a little past the decade when swearing in front of women was a big deal, don’t you?”

Aedan grinned at Sam and wrapped his arm around Rosa’s waist, jostling her against his hip. “That, and don’t give her any ideas. I’ve got my hands full as it is.”

“Yeah, this guy seems to think chivalry is still around and kicking. A girl can’t pay for anything.”

Sam burst out laughing. “Yeah, you got your hands full Aedan.” He leaned slightly closer to Rose. “If he won’t let you pay for stuff, you just give me a shout. I’ll let you pay for my dinner anytime. Without complaint.”

Aedan rolled his eyes. “You’re not helping my cause.”

Sam winked. “Totally on your side Aedan.” He smiled at Rosa. “A pleasure meeting you. Take good care of Aedan here...but don’t let him get away with anything. He’s a bull-shitter from the first word.” He gave her a salute and turned back to the punching bag as an alarm on his wristwatch went off.

“Well, you certainly have interesting friends.” Rosa laughed.

“Hmmm, I wouldn’t necessarily call them friends. More like co-workers I get to beat up on a regular basis. Not anyone I see outside the gym though.”

There was a loud crash to the right of them. Rosa jumped; Aedan turned toward the ring.

“That would be a knock down. Sounds worse than it is...although, in this case it looks pretty bad.” Aedan was watching the man on the canvas trying to raise himself, blood dripping from a cut above his eyebrow. Frank was yelling, the other guy was dancing around the ring, fists in the air. The sound of the heavy bag started up again, along with the patter of someone jumping rope nearby.

Aedan turned his attention back to Rosa. She was still staring at the guy in the ring, her eyes wide. “You had enough? You look a little shell-shocked.”

Rosa dragged her gaze away from the blood and arched an eyebrow at him. “Shell-shocked? I think I can handle guys just being guys.”

She didn’t sound like she was entirely sure about that, but Aedan let her have it. If he made a big deal out of the knock down, it would only make her more nervous about injury. So he laughed and pulled her gently by the hand, leading her to the street door. There were a few shouts as he opened the door and with a final wave, they were on the sidewalk. “What did you think?”

She paused. “It wasn’t what I expected.”

“What did you expect?”

“I have no idea. But it’s...pretty intense. And you do this every day?”

“Every day since I was sixteen or so, that I could afford to, anyway. I don’t know what else I’d be doing if not fighting.” The sound of Aedan’s cell phone interrupted them. He glanced at the number. “Hold on a minute, babe.” He spoke briefly before shutting the phone. “Listen, that was the contractor I work for. He’s got something he wants me to do today. I don’t want to bail out on our day but I need to work.”

“Not a problem. I get it.” She stood on tiptoe, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I’ll call for a car and if you want, I can give you...”

Aedan was shaking his head, grinning. “No, thanks. No ride. I can’t show up to work in a limo. They’d wonder if they were paying me too much.” He kissed her, oblivious to the people pushing past them on the sidewalk. The gym door opened behind him and someone called his name, suggested they get a room. He broke away, pulling her against him. The guy smiled and waved, sauntering down the sidewalk.

“You have colorful...co-workers.”

“They’re a little rough around the edges.”

“I like them.”

He tipped her face up to his. “You do? I wasn’t sure this would appeal to you.”

“Well, I certainly don’t want to get in the ring, but it’s interesting seeing you in your natural habitat.”

Aedan laughed. “Never thought about it like that.” He looked back at the squat white brick building. “I guess I do feel more at home here than anywhere.”

“You also seem far more relaxed...”

“Yeah. I guess. It’s where I like being more than anywhere else...” He looked down at her. “Except when I’m with you.”

Rosa smiled at him. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

* * *

NO ONE WAS HOME, AGAIN, as Rosa let herself into the apartment. Sophie’s probably at the market. Dad...golfing? Mom?

She dumped her purse on the bed, before getting out of her jeans and shirt and sliding on a clean shirt and old torn, comfy jeans. She flopped down on her back, staring up at the ceiling, instantly deep in thought.

Aedan was still a puzzle to her, but seeing him at the gym, feeling how relaxed he was, made her see him in a new light.

Except for his conversation with Frank. She got off the bed, pacing restlessly in front of the window. She’d overheard enough to know it was about money. And not being able to continue training. She thought that would break Aedan’s heart...but maybe it would keep him from getting injured. She thought about what he’d said, all the horrible ways he could be hurt. Or killed. It made her cringe, imagining him injured or worse. She didn’t think she could bear it if it actually happened.

“Rosa?” There was a knock on her door, her father appearing in the doorway.

“Dad. You’re home.” She threw her arms around his neck in a hug. He smelled of fresh air and cologne. “Were you playing golf?”

“Yes, Thomas’s father and I and some business associates.”

“Oh...” Rosa dropped her eyes. The last thing she wanted to talk about was Thomas.

Her father sighed. “You didn’t come home last night again, did you?”

Rosa sat down on the edge of her bed. “No, I was with Aedan.”

He pulled her desk chair over, slumping into it slowly. “Rosa. I heard what happened at Mark’s party...to Thomas. The Prestons’ are considering filing charges.”

Rosa felt the blood drain from her face. “Seriously? Thomas came after Aedan, with a broken bottle! Aedan was only defending himself. If anyone should file charges, it’s him. Thomas was completely out of control.” She remembered Aedan hitting Thomas in the nose as he lay on the floor and winced, but it didn’t make her statement any less true.

“From what I heard, Thomas was slightly intoxicated. But still, Rosa, do you think this boy is someone you want to be associated with?”

“You don’t understand. There’s a lot about Aedan that’s... He’s a good person. He’d never hurt me, if that’s what you’re worried about. There’s a lot of...drama, I guess, in his past, but he’s a good person. Really.”

Her father cast a skeptical glance at her. “Well, I’m not sure. But as I said the other day, you’re an adult. I just worry about you. You know that. It’s what parents do.” He gave her a half-hearted smile.

“I know.” They were quiet. Rosa could hear Sophie moving about down the hall. She climbed off the bed, closing the door to her room.

“Dad, I need to ask you a favor.” Rosa took a deep breath. “Please listen to what I have to say before you say no, okay?”

“This sounds serious,” her father said, sounding uncertain. “But all right. What is it?”

“I’d like you to offer Aedan a job somewhere, maybe in one of your restaurants.”

Her father sat back in his chair. “Rosa, why? I’m not going to start supporting your boyfriend, just because he’s too lazy to work or because he likes to hit people.”

Rosa shook her head. “No, that’s not it at all. Aedan works really hard and he’s certainly not lazy. He’s training to be a professional fighter. This has been his dream for a long time.” She spoke faster, trying to make sure she got everything she needed to say in before he cut her off. “But he didn’t get to graduate high school, so he’s stuck doing menial jobs for a living. He’s been supporting himself for a long time. It’s just...he’s behind on his gym fees or something and if he can’t pay those, he can’t train.”

“Rosa, slow down. I understand you like this boy, but do you seriously believe he’s going to make anything of himself doing whatever it is he’s doing?”

“I do. But it’s not just me. He believes it. With his heart and soul, waking and sleeping.” She sat on the edge of the bed, leaning forward. “Dad, do you remember all the stories you told me about shoveling horse manure when you were a kid? How you said you’d one day own a horse, rather than just clean up behind them?”

Her father looked her in the eye. “It’s not quite the same, Rosa.”

“Why not? You wanted something more than selling dinette sets and horse manure. Aedan wants something better than a third-floor walk-up and odd jobs on weekends. He wants a life that he can lead doing something that makes him happy. He thinks this is it.” She stopped, sitting back. “I want that for him too. This would help...but...”

“But what?” Despite his obvious lack of belief in her plan, her father’s tone was gentle. “There’s something else, isn’t there?”

“I kind of hope it would show him that there’s something else out there, a different way of earning a living that wouldn’t involve the potential of being hurt.” She looked down at her hands. Her voice was barely a whisper as she spoke. “It’s a selfish reason, for me. So maybe he’ll stop fighting.”

“Does Aedan know that’s how you feel?”

She shook her head. “No. I could never tell him. I’m trying to be supportive, but I’m having a really hard time doing that when I see him hurt, the bruises or the black eye.”

Her father was quiet for a long time, finally sitting forward, hands between his knees. “Do you know if he would even accept a job from me?”

“I’m honestly not sure. But I wanted to know how you felt about it before I talked to him.”

Her father shot her a pensive look. “I’ll have to talk to him, Rosa. I can’t just give him a job without at least meeting him, more than just in passing. Can you have him come for dinner?”

Rosa was shaking her head. “Not dinner. But maybe just for a drink, like tonight? Or the weekend. Do you and Mom have plans this weekend?”

Rosa saw a shadow pass over her father’s face. “Your mother is...not here this weekend. She had a dog show upstate, I believe. She’ll be back sometime on Monday.”

“Oh. Well...I guess I forgot about that.” Rosa chewed on her thumbnail. “When did she leave?”

“This morning. Early.”

“Oh...” The silence was broken by Rosa’s cell phone. Her father got up to leave.

“Wait...this might be Aedan.” She flipped open the phone, glancing at the number. She held up her hand and her father stopped, his hand on the doorknob. “Aedan. Hey...”

“Rosa. Yeah...listen. The job for today fell through. I just wanted to let you know, I’m headed back to the gym. Might as well get some training in, so the day’s not a total loss.”

“Okay.”

“Oh, shit. Sorry. That sounds wrong.” He laughed. “I meant the rest of my day. The first part of my day was completely amazing.”

Rosa blushed, turning away so her father couldn’t see. “Aedan, if you have time, do you think you could you come by? I have something I’d like to talk about.”

“Your house? I don’t know...your parents...”

She could hear the hesitation in his voice. “It’s okay. My mom’s gone and my dad...will probably be busy.”

“Okay. I guess. What time?”

“How about after dinner sometime?” Rosa finished the call, clicking the phone shut, a smile on her lips.

“I’m not going to be here?” Her father’s voice was reproachful.

She looked up at her father in surprise. “Oh, well. He’s a little gun shy. If I told him my father wanted to talk to him, I don’t think he’d have agreed to stop by.” Rosa stood, crossing the few steps toward her father. “Dad, it’s okay. Aedan’s a good guy. Trust me. He’s been through a lot—more than anyone I’ve ever met—but I don’t think I should be the one to tell you. Aedan’s...he’s private. And his life is his to tell, not mine.” She wrapped her arms around her father, felt him hug her close. “Just give him a chance. You won’t be disappointed.”

“Rosa, I trust your judgment...”

“But?”

“I haven’t actually said I’d offer him a job. You’re assuming because you think you have me wrapped around your little finger that I’m going to do as you say.”

She looked up at him, saw the teasing look in his eyes. “You’re going to think about it though, right? Please?” She gave him her best smile, the one that he said made her dimples appear. She heard him sigh, saw the slight roll of his eyes beneath raised brows and she knew she had him. She hugged him hard. “Thanks, Dad. It really means a lot to me.”

“You’re welcome. But will it mean the same to Aedan?”

Rosa paused. “Do you really think it’ll be a problem?”

For a moment, her father was silent, his expression closed. He was obviously deciding how to phrase what he was about to say. “Sweetie... You say that he loves what he does. That he believes with his whole heart that he’ll be able to make it. Do you think he’ll thank you for trying to direct him down a different path?”

“That’s not really what I’m doing. I...” Rosa paused, sighing. “I’m trying to help him pay his gym fees. The rest is just...it’s kind of a potential side effect.”

“Well think about it, angel. Before you make any decisions that you might regret.”