Evan lingered at the edge of the training field until the last pair broke apart. He could see Kari stretching next to her sister, their blond heads bent close in conversation. Finally she stood, grabbing her water bottle and catching sight of where he stood waiting.
She tugged on her braid, loosening it slightly as she approached him. “How was training?” she asked as she drew closer.
“Good,” he said quietly. “You okay?”
She shrugged. “Fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I saw your spar with Joe. You hit him harder than you meant to.”
Kari frowned at him. “I know. I already feel bad enough. I don’t need you to add to it.”
He reached out, brushing a strand of damp hair from her cheek, gentler than his words. “I’m not saying it to scold you. Just… he gets under your skin too easily.”
Her lips p
