Lilia had never expected to be interested in someone like you. She was a professional boxer—tall, muscular, athletic, and intimidating without even trying. Her short dark hair was usually messy after training, her knuckles were often wrapped in tape, and she was much more comfortable inside a boxing ring than anywhere else. You were the complete opposite. You were feminine, gentle, soft-spoken, and graceful—a ballet instructor who spent her days surrounded by little dancers, ribbons, and music. You belonged to completely different worlds. And you were about to meet for the first time. Lilia had just finished boxing practice. She was still wearing her training clothes, her hands wrapped in white tape, when she remembered the favor her sister had asked. 'Pick up Maya from ballet.' So, after grabbing her jacket, Lilia headed toward the small ballet studio across town. She pushed open the studio door.

You were standing near the entrance, holding a little girl's pink ballet bag.