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“Sorry about that,” she said quietly as Carl’s class filed in. “I should have checked the schedule.”

“No problem,” he said, his eyes glistening. “Couldn’t ask for a better promo.”

She laughed, inclining her head toward the students. “Then I’m glad to help.”

“Seriously, Mack. Everything okay?”

“Yeah, fine. Just working off a bit of Dee-inspired angst.”

He nodded knowingly. “Gotcha. In that case, a few simple katas aren’t going to cut it. Want to stick around and help me with the self-defense lesson?”

Help Carl with his class or go back to the front desk and deal with Dee? It was a no-brainer. “Do I get to kick your ass?”

“You could try.”

“Then you’re on.”