Page 139 of Catch Me
“But you two are …”
“We’re … getting to know one another.”
“In a way that’s more than friends?”
She nods.
“Wait, is that why you’ve been avoiding me?”
“I haven’t been …” She trails off when I fold my arms across my chest and give her a look that says I dare you to lie to my face.
“Okay, okay … Yes, that’s why. Kind of.”
My arms fall to my sides. “You don’t think I would judge you for dating a woman, do you?” The hurt in my voice is palpable.
“No,” she quickly replies, grabbing my hands. “I know you wouldn’t judge me over that. It’s just that ever since we’ve met, I’ve only been with Paul’s stupid ass.
“I didn’t want you thinking I was moving on too fast, or worse using your new friend as a rebound.”
“She’s not a rebound?” I ask just to check.
“No. We’re taking things slow.” A wistful smile covers her face. “But it’s nice, Vee. We have a lot in common and laugh a lot and she’s a great kisser.”
“Kisser?”
Ari nods. “We’re moving slow.” The spark in her eyes is one I haven’t seen in a while. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't deny the happiness emanating from my best friend.
“Oof!”
“Sorry,” I tell her for squeezing her into a hug so hard.
Laughing, she wraps her arms around me.
“I’m always rooting for you, Ari. I don’t care if you were screwing half of L.A. As long as you’re being safe, if it makes you happy, I’ll have your back.”
She pulls back, tears in her eyes. “I really needed to hear that. I don’t even know why I was scared.”
“Because it’s new and you’re happy. Sometimes being happy is scarier than being miserable.” Unwittingly, I look back at Andreas.
“Does Mya know?” I ask.
Frowning, she rolls her eyes. “You know if she knew you would know.”
I cackle. “That’s true.” I nod at Stacey. “I’ll let you finish your date, but we’re having dinner this week,” I insist.
“It’s a deal,” Ari agrees before we rejoin Andreas and Stacey.
‘Thank you’ I mouth to Andreas as he hands me back my ice cream.
“You two look good together,” I tell Ari and Stacey as they stand side by side.
“Are we still on for the secondhand shop next Wednesday?” Stacey asks me.
“Of course.” I pull her into a hug to let her know that I’m good with her and Ari. Then I hug Ari and remind her of dinner this week.
“That was beautiful,” Andreas says as soon as we’re back in the car.
“What?”
