<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ccff99">Ayla knew the second her eyes met his he knew what had just happened. Her eyes closed tightly, teeth gritting together as she prepared for a lecture on keeping her temper. But what she got instead was pulled into a tight embrace, head tucked under his chin, and soft words. </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#a6ff4d">“I’m trying. I’m trying so hard… I want to be as good as you think I am… I  really do. I really am…”</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ccff99"> she answered, her voice catching a little.</span>