“Anytime, Squirt.”
Something in her eyes changed, and she pulled her hand away from mine. She stood quickly. “I better go.”
Fuck. I just treated her like she was my sister’s annoying best friend. I knew she hated that nickname, and I had no fucking clue why I used it just now.
“Is something wrong?” I asked as I stood along with her.
She stared at me for the longest minute. It felt like she wanted to say something but wasn’t sure if she should.
“Thank you again. I’m sorry I pulled you away, and I hope I didn’t ruin a date or anything.”
“A date?” I asked with a gruff laugh. “I didn’t have any plans, and stop saying you’re sorry. I’m glad you called me, Ari. Really glad.”
She smiled, and this time it reached those beautiful eyes of hers. “I have to go.”
“I’ll walk you to your jeep.”
“Thanks.”
As we walked through the parking lot, I tried like hell to get the courage to just ask her out. But what if she laughed? Or worse, what if we went out, and things got out of hand and I ended up sleeping with her? Was I ready to settle down with just one girl? Yes . . . if it was Ari. Or no. Shit. I was so confused. Hell, she was younger than me, still in high school and getting ready to start a new life. Then another thought occurred to me.
Ellie would never forgive me if I hurt Ari.
When we got to her jeep, I opened the door for her.
“So thanks again,” she said, barely above a whisper.
I wanted so badly to drop my mouth onto hers.
“Sure. That’s what friends are for.”
She looked down and nodded. “Yep.”
Before I could say anything else, she was in her jeep and shutting the door.
Fuck.
After she started the jeep, I tapped on the window. She rolled it down.
“Please be careful, okay? Don’t go back to the shelter. If you do want to go, you call me, okay?”
Her eyes lit up. “Okay.”
I didn’t know what in the hell came over me, but I leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. My entire body felt like it came to life. Ari let out a breath of air as she smiled.
Taking a few steps back to distance myself from her, I nodded. “See ya around.”
“See ya around, Jeff.”
Watching Ari pull out and drive off gutted me. What I wouldn’t give to have that girl be mine. I always thought it was a dream that would never happen. But after today, I had a small glimmer of hope bubble up in my chest at the idea that there was a small chance that dream could maybe come true.
Chapter Thirteen – Josh
I sat in my truck and dropped my head back against the headrest. It was one in the morning, and I’d just left the apartment of the girl I had hooked up with earlier. The same ache in my chest was present as I let out a long frustrated groan.
When was this going to get old? At least once a week I was walking away from a different girl’s bed. Every time I did, I’d promise myself this was it. It was a vice I couldn’t seem to let go, though.
Turning the key over, I started my Dodge truck and headed home. There was a car parked on the side of the road with two girls standing there looking at a flat tire.