You extend an olive branch

“Come on, settle down,” you tell her. “You’ve proven your point. Your clearly very strong and talented, and I shouldn’t have made you feel uncomfortable by staring at you while you workout. Why don’t we call it a draw, and put an end to this.”

“Do you mean it,” she asked, her struggling easing.

“Yes. I mean it,” you tell her. You release your pin and sit down next to her as proof of your intention.

“I’m sorry too,” she tells you.

“For what,” you ask.

“Because I can’t help myself,” she laughs as she suddenly yanks on your arm and pulls you into her. Before you can stop her, she has you in a textbook triangle ****. She holds you firm and you quickly feel a little light-headed, even though you can tell she is barely putting any strength into the hold.

“I probably should have told you that my ex-boyfriend was a wrestler and into MMA. He was constantly practicing on me and teaching me moves. Over time I picked up a lot of moves. I’m pretty good don’t you think?”

“I’m in no position to disagree,” I replied.

“Now,” she said, “apologize to me one more time, and then maybe we can settle things in a less painful manner.” Her voice was friendlier now, but you could tell she still meant business