I looked over at Jeff and gave him a wink. I was so happy to see that smile on his face. I knew he’d been so unhappy the last few months, and it was now going to be my goal to make him happy every damn day.
***
It had been so long since I’d laughed as much as I did on the drive into Austin. God, this feels good.
Ellie picked Magnolia Café for lunch. She talked me into getting a chicken salad sandwich on some wheat-ass looking bread. Ugh, healthy shit.
The waitress brought out our food and put my sandwich down in front of me.
I looked up at Ellie.
“Really? All I wanted was some mac and cheese today, Ellie. ”
“Stop bitching. We’re going to the gym, and if you really want to get married in December, it’s time to start eating healthy. ”
“What the fuck is this green shit in here?”
Ellie raised her eyebrow. “It’s spinach. ”
“I can’t eat this shit. ” I picked it off the sandwich and set it to the side.
“After this, we’re going to get ice cream. ” I said before I took a bite of my sandwich.
“No way. No, I’m putting my foot down. ”
“Stop being such a bitch to me, Ells. If I want ice cream on my girls’ day, I’m getting ice cream, damn it. ”
***
After lunch, we got back into the car. Ellie looked at me and smiled. She reached over to hit play on her car stereo, and Christina Aguilera’s “Vanity” started.
We both looked at each other, and at the same time, we said, “Hells yeah!”
The moment Ellie pulled into Baskin-Robins I wanted to reach over and kiss her ass! Oh god. I wanted ice cream so damn bad. I practically jumped out of the car and ran into the place.
“Shit, Ari, it’s just ice cream. You act like you’ve never had it before. ”
“Listen, bitch, I haven’t felt this good in months. If you’re draggin’ my ass to the gym, I’m gonna at least have something to celebrate that shit. ”
Ellie hung up from talking to Gunner and raised her eyebrows at me.
“Holy hell, Ari, that’s the biggest sundae I’ve ever seen. You’re going to get sick. ”
I just grinned at her and took a giant bite. I looked up and watched a girl walk in. She was covered in tattoos. I looked back at Ellie with a smile.
“Oh no! There’s no fucking way, Ari, I’m going to let you…or me…get a tattoo! No. Way. ”
“Come on, Ells! I’ve been through hell the last few months. You know I’ve always wanted one. Please!”
“I’m not getting one. I’d get a nose piercing before I got a tattoo. ”
I jumped up and walked over to the trash can.
“Come on, let’s get a fast workout in, and then let’s get some ink and get pierced!”
Ellie just looked at me. “Have you lost your damn mind?”
“Come on, Ells. You have the perfect nose for it. ” Reaching for her hand, I pulled her and lead her out of Baskin-Robbins. “Think about what you want for a tattoo while you’re working out. I already know what I want. ”