AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Indeed.” Ari is nodding slowly, a small smile playing at her glossy lips.
I clear my throat, taking my eyes off her mouth. “Where did you park?”
God I am so bad at this…whatever this is.
“Across the street in the parking lot—I managed to get a spot. I hate paying the ten dollars for valet.”
Same. “I actually took an Uber. I don’t live far, so I thought it would be easier.”
Her brows go up. “Then I’m giving you a ride home.”
Together we cross the road, the usually busy street feeling empty, almost deserted. Quiet.
Calm.
Calmer than I feel, my stomach in knots, all the dormant butterflies coming to life.
We chatter the entire car ride to my house, the directions I’m giving her coming almost too late; she missed my street because I wasn’t paying attention—I was studying her profile like a weirdo.
“Are you staring at me?” Ari laughs when we pull up to my tiny duplex, grinning as she puts the car in park at the curb.
“Do people admit if they’re staring or not?”
“That depends on whether you were—or not.”
“Mmm.” I hum. “That doesn’t help me decide how to answer.”
We both laugh, the car idling so quiet I can barely hear the engine. If I didn’t know better I would have assumed it wasn’t running.
The house beyond us has one window illuminated—I leave a light on for Ravioli, and the television sometimes so he doesn’t get lonely. Is that weird? From the street it would be hard to gauge if anyone was home.
“You don’t have any roommates?” Ari is glancing around me at the house.
“No, just the dog.” Who is probably already waiting at the back window for a treat and his evening bathroom break.
“What a cute place.”
“Thanks. I would invite you in but I don’t want the dog jumping all over your dress, scratching at your bare legs, or slobbering on you with his obnoxious jowls.” I groan. “Seriously, he has no manners. I’ve tried so hard to train him—it’s like he has a mind of his own.”
“Try training a wiener dog.”
“Anyway, any other night of the week and I’d have you in. I just don’t think…”
The legs.
The heels.
Ari nods. “I’ll definitely take you up on that.”
My hand is on the door handle, ready to push.
Hesitating.
Unsure.
“Let me walk you to your door.” Ari is out her door before I can open mine, coming around to my side, heels sinking into the soft ground when she steps off the sidewalk.
Our heels click on the concrete.
