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How did I go this long without having this in my life? Not just Ari as my friend, but as my girlfriend? The woman who is everythingto me.
She’s tucked next to me on the couch, her head resting on my shoulder, and I’m so happy right now I could burst. Friends, food, and love. What more could I ask for?
Grant and Ian—my two closest friends at the station—are sitting on the couch adjacent to us. Ari is quizzing Ian about his dog, and he passes his phone over to her. “This is Baxter,” he says, his expression softening. “He’s a great dog.”
Ari peers at the photo andawwsappropriately. “Ian, he’s adorable. Is he part golden retriever?”
“He’s part golden, part lab,” Ian tells her. “One of my clients at the gym works at the local rescue, and this guy came in from one of the shelters down south. He was all covered in fleas and ticks, malnourished, infections in both his eyes…” He shakes his head, frowning. “But if you look at him now, you’d never know.”
Ari smiles at him. “He’s so lucky to have you.” She pauses, her brow wrinkling. “I always wanted a dog. But I was always living in cities for Teach for America, and then with all the moves… it wouldn’t have been fair to get a dog.”
“Maybe we can look in the spring,” I offer, surprising myself with the suggestion. I always thought I was too busy for a dog, but now… The idea of sharing a dog with Ari, taking it for walks, watching her as she plays with it… I like it.
“Really?” Her face brightens.
“Yeah.” The idea solidifies, settling in. “It’ll be easier to train a puppy when it’s nicer weather, and everything should be calmed down…”
Crap. I don’t want to bring up Kyle and the impending trial and ruin Ari’s good mood.
Her mouth tightens for a moment, but it quickly transforms into a smile. “I like it.” She rests her head on my shoulder again and adds thoughtfully, “I always imagined getting a big dog. Like a golden or a lab. Just a big, friendly, goofy dog.”
I press a kiss to her head. “Whatever you want, hun.”
The conversation shifts from dogs to Ian’s classes at the gym. He’s co-owner of the local gym and specializes in martial arts, so he teaches judo and Krav Maga and jiu-jitsu. I’ve taken some classes, but with everything that’s gone on with Ari, I wouldn’t mind getting a refresher.
“I was thinking of taking some classes again,” I tell him. “It’s been a while, and I’d like to freshen up some of my skills. Do you have anything coming up soon?”
“You should try his Krav Maga class,” Grant suggests. “I took a series of them last spring, and they were great.”
As Grant is a former SEAL, that’s extremely high praise.
“That’s a good idea.” Glancing from Grant to Ian, I ask, “What do you think?”
“Absolutely. You don’t need to wait for a new round of classes to start. I can come to your house and do it.” Ian’s gaze is understanding as he continues, “I’m sure you’d rather stay close to home.”
I give him a quick chin lift. “I appreciate it. And maybe you can teach Ari some self-defense, too. I can show her the basics, but I’d like her to be trained by a professional.”
Although, I should probably askher about it, shouldn’t I? “Ari, is that okay with you?”
When she doesn’t answer, I glance down at her, and my chest squeezes.
She’s fast asleep, all her features relaxed, lips slightly parted, and a tendril of hair falling across her cheek. And she looks so soft and sweet and the surge of protectiveness I feel for her steals my breath away.
Ian chuckles, smiling affectionately. He pitches his voice low as he says, “Of course, I’ll teach her self-defense. Any time she wants. You just let me know.”
Ari shifts in her sleep, curling against me, sighing, light puffs of air brushing along my neck.
“It’s been a long week for her,” I explain softly, brushing her hair away from her face. “Last weekend, and then all the cooking, plus she had to work…”
Grant leans forward, speaking quietly. “You don’t have to stay. We have plenty of volunteers here, and I don’t think anyone would mind if you brought Ari home. After what she did for everyone—”
Ian jumps in. “Absolutely. We can do without you for the rest of the shift.”
I’d like to take Ari home, get her into an actual bed, but I don’t want to go back on my commitment, either. “I don’t know…”
Grant stands up and makes a quick circuit of the room, stopping to talk to each volunteer. When he comes back, he’s smiling broadly. “Everyone agreed. We’ll clean all the dishes and bring them back to you. Take your girl home, Cash.”
Fuck. How did I get so lucky to have Ari and friends like these?
