“As a friend.” Her lashes fluttered while vulnerability dulled her irises.
“If that’s what you need, then yes.” My heart beat hard against my rib cage.
“And if I want more?”
“Then I’ll happily give you more.”
“I have no doubt there.” She giggled as if all her tension had melted away, thawing the giant iceberg that had long separatedus, and it pumped new life into me. “This is why I’ve avoided this conversation for so long.”
“I, for one, am thankful-as-fuck that we’ve finally had it because, hopefully, we can move forward. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me, Ari?”
She nodded as the corners of her mouth tipped upward with a smile.
“Good, because I’d really like it if you stopped pushing me away; life, as we know, is too short. So, what do you say? Will you give us a chance?”
The bright flicker of light from the television was a sharp contrast to the soft, warm glow from her Christmas tree beside where we were sitting. The lights cast varying shadows over her delicate facial features as she laid her head against the back of the couch and closed her eyes. Her inner struggle was evident from how her brows volleyed between nervous and relaxed.
“I’m scared of losing another person I care about; it’s another reason my walls are so high.”
“You care about me?”
“Is that your only takeaway?” She turned her head in my direction.
“Fuck yeah, it is. I’ve been dreaming about you being mine for as long as I can remember.”
“That feels like a lot of pressure. What if I don’t live up to your expec?—”
I cut her off by sealing my lips over hers, and holy hell, everything that had been off-kilter in my life righted itself as we had finally addressed the hurdle that had held her back.
Her lips were soft and warm against mine while sparks ignited every cell in my body until I was drunk on her sweetness.
“I’ve waited a long time for this, so I promise you, Ari, as long as you’ll have me, I will always come back to you. There’s no wayI’m checking out when I finally have my dream girl right where I want her.”
“And where’s that?”
“Right by my side. To touch, kiss and adore.”
Chapter Thirteen
Arizona
Lily was still in her scrubs and had barely walked in the door of her apartment after her shift at the hospital before she called me. “Okay, spill it, girl,” she demanded as I struggled to hide my grin over FaceTime.
“What? Can’t a friend call to check in on her bestie?” I was still worried about whatever was troubling her since she refused to discuss anything besides work.
“Yes, they absolutely can and should. However, there’s something different about you today; you’re beaming.” I heard the two locks on her door click into position.
“I called to check in on you. How are you doing?” I asked, thankful her mood appeared cheerful and upbeat compared to the last few times we’d spoken.
“Same ole, same ole, now quit deflecting.”
“Don’t think I’m not aware you’re doing the same thing.”
She pressed her lips into a thin line and tilted her head, studying me as if she could see right through the challenge in my tone.
“All right, yesterday was a tough day,” I sighed, letting the weight of the truth settle in.
“Your dad?”
