Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Cam gets to her feet and comes around the table to us. “It’s so good to finally meet you, Ari. We’ve heard so much about you.” Then, she hugs me, kissing my cheek. “You’re right, Ares; she’s gorgeous,” she says to him, leaning over to press a kiss to his cheek.
We all take our seats, Ares holding mine out for me, like the gentleman he is.
The waiter appears. “Can I get you a drink?”
A glance at the table tells me everyone has already ordered. I notice there’s no alcohol on the table at all.
Did they not order any for my sake?
I know Ares doesn’t drink, which is because of his dad, who isn’t here tonight. He avoids all places where they serve alcohol, which I can totally understand.
I know Missy and Lo had coffee with him earlier, as they were both coming from there to here.
If they aren’t drinking for my sake, then I feel really touched that they would do that for me. But really embarrassed, too.
I wish I were a different person for him. A better person. One who could come to a restaurant and order alcohol and not end up in rehab straight afterward.
“A sparkling water for me,” I say quietly, feeling awkward.
“And for you, sir?” the waiter asks Ares.
“Diet Pepsi.”
Ares takes my hand and squeezes it, as though he can sense my inner turmoil.
I look at him and offer a smile. It’s forced, but I don’t want him to worry, and I definitely don’t want to spoil his evening.
“So, I have a question for Ari,” Lo says, pulling my attention from Ares to him. “What exactly are you doing with my thick head of a brother? You do realize, you could do a million times better than him, right? Yeah, yeah, he might be a famous football player, but he’s batting way, way above his average with you. You’re like prime rib steak, and he’s burger—and not even a good burger. He’s like one of those shitty, skinny ones that are made mostly out of water.”
Lo grins, and a small laugh escapes me.
I glance at Ares, who raises a brow at me, as though to say, What did I tell you?
Ares stares across the table at Lo, brow still raised. “And, just out of interest, baby brother, just exactly who fits the prime rib steak category that would be good enough for my girl?” Ares’s arm comes around the back of my chair.
Lo leans back in his seat and puffs out his chest. “Well, me, of course.”
He shrugs, and everyone at the table bursts out laughing.
Me included.
And, just like that, my somber thoughts are gone, replaced with happiness.
“I had such a good time tonight,” I tell Ares as he unlocks his apartment door, letting us in. “Your family is amazing.”
“Yeah, they’re pretty great,” he says, locking up behind us.
Missy and Lo are both staying at Zeus and Cam’s tonight, so they can spend some time with the kids before they go back to college.
“Although I think I’m going to have to watch my little brother around you,” Ares says, coming over as I take my shoes off.
My feet press on the cool floor, and I almost moan with relief. High heels are a killer. “Don’t be silly,” I tell him. “Lo was just winding you up.”
“Yeah, well, it worked.” He wraps his arms around me and presses a kiss to my forehead. “You’re mine.”
“And you’re mine,” I say on a yawn.
“Am I boring you?” He chuckles.
“Never. Just too much food.”
I stuffed myself. The food was amazing. Almost as good as the company.
I swear, I’m in love with his family. They are awesome. Watching them interact, it was how I imagined it would’ve been for me if I’d had a brother or sister.
“Bed?” he asks.
I nod on another yawn.
He toes his shoes off and then leads me through his apartment, turning off lights as he goes, heading to his bedroom.
I brought an overnight bag here with me earlier, as we decided we’d stay at his place tonight. So, I grab my wash bag and toothbrush.
We brush our teeth, side by side. Then, Ares disappears into the bedroom while I remove my makeup.
When I’m finished, I flick off the bathroom light, and on tired feet, I pad into his bedroom. Ares is already in bed, sitting up, chest bare, and I know he’ll be naked beneath the covers, as he doesn’t wear a stitch in bed. He’s reading something on his phone; knowing him, it’s probably the latest sports news. The lamp next to his bed is illuminating the room for me.
I remove my dress, laying it on the chair, and then take off my bra, leaving me in my panties. I can feel his eyes on me as I walk over to his dresser, grab one of his football jerseys, and put it on.