“I know she’s your mom, Jeff, but I seriously wanted to tell her the fuck off.”
I was fuming. “I had no fucking idea she was treating Ellie this bad. Why didn’t she tell me? No wonder she was always at Ari’s. I’m so angry with myself.”
“Don’t be. It’s not your fault, just like it isn’t Ellie’s. Your mom has a problem, and until she can help herself, things will never change. I think you’re both doing the right thing.”
My fingers pushed through my hair. “Ari already leave?”
He nodded.
“Take care of her for me, Gunner. Please.”
His facial expression softened. “I will. I promise you.”
Walking into Ari’s house, I took in a deep breath as I walked past her. She smelled like vanilla. “They’re not back yet?” I asked, following Ari into the kitchen.
“No, not yet. Want something to drink?”
I nodded. “Tea?”
She grinned. “Sweet or unsweet?”
Laughing, I shook my head. “Your mom still keeps both on hand?”
“Yep. You never know when guests will stop by!” She winked, and my stomach did a weird dip.
“I’ll take sweet. She still into Katharine Hepburn?”
Her smile grew bigger. “I can’t believe you remembered that.”
Why in the hell was it so easy to be like this with Ari when we were alone? Why did I let her close enough to just push her back?
That’s right . . . because I was too damn afraid of what would happen if I took her in my arms and kissed her. If things didn’t turn out right, I would forever ruin our friendship and possibly her friendship with Ellie.
The way Ari was looking at me had me wanting to do things to her that I shouldn’t be thinking.
“So, Squirt, you got your speech ready?”
“Ugh. Jeff! Stop calling me that.”
I flashed her a smile and winked as I took a drink of my tea. “Why? It’s fun seeing you get all pissed off.”
Her head pulled back. “Why? Why in the world do you try to piss me off?”
With a shrug, I responded, “I don’t know. Maybe because I can.”
“Seriously? That’s your reason? I mean, you can be so sweet one minute, and the next you’re just . . . you’re just . . .”
I lifted my brow. “The most handsome man you’ve ever seen? The man who you dream about at night?”
Ari scoffed. “You wish. You’re the last guy I would have fantasies about.”
I nearly choked on my tea. “Fantasies? Why little Ari has naughty dreams at night? Do tell.”
My cock jumped in my pants and was soon strained against my zipper.
Fucking hell. What did I start?
When she moved closer to me, she put both her hands on my legs. If I hadn’t been sitting down, I would have fallen down the moment her hands touched me.