SILENCE fell between them for a long time before Stella spoke. "I'm sorry for messing up. I really didn't mean to."
"Do you like the park?"
She blinked. "Eh…yes. Why?"
"You said you'd like to go out," Valeric began. "I thought about it, and I'm sure I can keep you safe enough to go to the park. So…I think we can go out if you still want to."
Her lips parted speechlessly, and just when he thought she was going to say no, a massive smile made its way to her face, and she furiously nodded her head at him. "When? When do we go?"
"Tomorrow," he said. "I'll leave work for you in the afternoon."
Stella's smile widened deeper, and she stood up. "Tomorrow it is. But please get up from there. You're making me feel so horrible."
"You are horrible."
"I am not!" She looked as if she would push him right back into the tub.
