She’d actually considered for a moment explaining to him why she’d run out a few nights ago when Nellie had told her she was bringing him over. After the trembler they’d had, her first thoughts were of her dad. She’d raced home with her heart at her throat the entire way, wondering if she’d find him buried under a heap of junk. Fortunately, he’d been okay, but the house had been a mess. Ella had decided against explaining for fear he or Nellie might question her overreaction to such a small earthquake. That was the last thing she wanted to get into.

Again, she reminded herself how ridiculous she was being. Felix had probably already forgotten her name. Thankfully, it appeared he’d forgotten about her gaping at him the other night like a fool. The man did have a million things going on, and on any given day, he likely met several new key people directly involved in his businesses: boxing, television appearances, his clothing line, endorsements. Today he just happened to be at his gym and she’d been the one.

Carmen rushed toward her as soon as she walked into the self-defense classroom. Ella nearly groaned when she saw the excitement in her best friend’s eyes. “I saw you talking to Felix,” she said with the biggest smile. “Okay, okay, I’m just gonna admit it and take back what I said the other day. I don’t know. I don’t know,” Carmen continued animatedly and Ella smiled inwardly.

Apparently her friend was going off on one of her excited rambles and unwittingly spared Ella the need to give her take on Felix. Ella listened with one ear to her friend go on about how much more attracted you are to someone the more you see them. How you start to notice the little things like the subtle dimple on his left cheek and how crazy sexy it is to see him and Hector or Abel crack up together. “I could just watch them for hours, you know. How does that make each and every one of them so much sexier? I watched him and Noah the other day. I don’t know what Noah was saying, but one moment they were all serious, and then the next they were laughing and my heart just melted.”

As much as Ella tried to ignore her dear friend, she couldn’t help but picture everything Carmen was saying. Fortunately, the class was wrapping up, and Sonia asked her to come up and talk about the exercises they’d be learning in the next class. Ella did, glad for the break in Carmen’s gushing.

In the middle of her addressing the class, the doors opened and in walked Felix, Hector, Charlee, and another girl. For a moment, she lost her train of thought, as did everyone else who was now mesmerized by them. Even Charlee was a sight to see with her bright red locks, and the way Hector held her—his big strong arm around her waist—was enough to have every girl in that room wishing they were her.

Her eyes met Felix’s, and he smiled so beautifully her heart was at it again. Clearing her throat, she continued as best she could, all the while inwardly calling to her mommy for strength. When she finished, she walked over to them as they were very obviously waiting on her.

“Hey,” she said, smiling big.

Carmen was already at her side, and Ella was glad for that. Somehow having her there calmed her a bit.

“Ella, you remember my friend Drew,” Charlee said, motioning to the other girl who had walked in with them. “She took the self-defense class with me way back.”

Ella casually wiped her suddenly clammy hand, nodding politely at Drew. “Yes, yes, I do remember you.”

“Nice to see you again.” The sweet looking blonde said. “I hear you’re still doing great things around here.”

Ella shook her head. “I don’t know so much about great. I’m just glad the program has taken off like it has, and I owe it all to 5th Street.”

“Oh no,” Hector said, pulling Charlee even closer to him and rubbing her barely-there baby bump. “This was all you.”

They all nodded, and Ella swallowed hard, doing her best to not continually glance at Felix.

“Anyway, Drew is doing an internship at a local cable network and . . .” Charlee nudged Drew playfully. “Tell her.”

“So they’re giving me the opportunity to do an hour-long documentary. It’s supposed to be about something or someone in the area who’s made a difference to the community, so naturally the first thing I thought of was 5th Street. I already have some great interviews and footage of what goes on here and the guys”—she touched Felix’s arm—“some of their incredible stories of rising above adversity that could’ve led them in such a different direction. I have about forty-five minutes worth now, but I was hoping to get at least one story in about a girl. I was just outside talking to these guys about it when Felix here”—she smiled at him then looked back at Ella—“was the one who actually suggested you.”

“Yeah, I’m such a ditz,” Charlee said. “We were talking about this last week, and it never even occurred to me. But I agree it’s a great idea.”

Ella smiled as Hector kissed Charlee on the side of her head and whispered something in her ear. Unable to refrain, she glanced at Felix. He was looking at her the same way he’d looked at her earlier when she’d first met him. With the kind of admiration parents give their child. The kind they don’t even try to hide.

“Oh, wow,” she said not sure how else to respond. “I, uh . . . I’m flattered. I just . . .”

“I wouldn’t take up too much of your time,” Drew said quickly. “Felix said you stay really busy. I’d just do a quick interview and get the camera in here one time to take some footage of you doing the self-defense thing and then maybe a little footage of you outside of 5th Street: school, your home with your family, stuff like that. I could try to do it all in one day so you won’t have to put up with me for long.”