Page 114 of Run
Fonz places a hand on Matt’s back. “Ethan, I know you know Matt,” he says by way of formal introduction.
“’Course! Welcome, man. I hope you helped yourself to coffee and breakfast?”
I step over to Ari, who is sitting on the other side of the counter, and kiss the top of her head. “Morning, Red.”
As the guys push away from the island and stand up, I notice they are fully showered and dressed. “Thanks,” Matt says to me. “Your woman here insisted on cooking us breakfast.” He bows his head in her direction. “It was delicious, and your hospitality is very welcoming, thank you.”
“Our breakfast is under the lids,” she says to me, pointing at two plates with lids on top of them next to the stove. Ari starts to get up, but I put my hands on her upper arms to stop her.
“You sit. I’ll get it.”
“Oh. OK.”
“She insisted on waiting for you,” Fonz says as he and Matt put their jackets on. “I told her that’s too chivalrous, but she wouldn’t listen. Anyway, sorry to eat and run, but Matt has an appointment he has to get back to. See you guys later?”
“Yep.” I uncover mine and Ari’s dishes. “It was good seeing you, Matt.”
“You too.” He gives an awkward wave before heading out into the garage, and I hike my eyebrows up and down at Fonz.
“Stop it. Stop it right now,” he murmurs under his breath as he follows Matt out and closes the door.
I turn and gape at Ari with wide eyes, and she laughs. “I know, right?!” she whisper-shouts.
Chuckling, I bring our plates over to the island and sit next to Ari. “Seriously, you didn’t have to wait for me,” I say as she scoops up a forkful of scrambled eggs. “Next time just eat without me. Or wake me up and we can cook together.”
As if she didn’t even hear me, Ari hops up and grabs my plate, saying, “The eggs are cold.” She steps over to the microwave and pops my plate in.
I sit there with my fork in the air. “Wha— Red, you don’t have to do that. I can eat it lukewarm. I’m quite easy to please.”
The microwave beeps and Ari pulls my plate out and places it back in front of me. “Nonsense. No one likes cold eggs.”
“You know, I hope you don’t feel like you have to cook.” I pick up a piece of crispy bacon and bite it in half, then throw the rest in my mouth.
“I know I don’t. But I like to. With the apartment the Millers put in I just have a kitchenette, so I can’t cook a real meal. I miss it. I used to do it all the time for Lena and … Well, you know I had to do a lot of the cooking when I was younger.”
“Yeah, but Axel made you cook for him because he was a giant fuckwad.” I jam a piece of toast into my mouth.
“Shit,” Ari grumbles, bouncing up again and rushing over to the fridge. “Sorry, totally forgot the juice!” She pulls the jug of orange juice from the door and puts it on the counter, then turns to open the cabinet housing the glasses and runs into me, because I’ve beat her to it.
I place the glasses on the countertop and reach for her. “Seriously, you don’t have to wait on me.”
“I know.” She avoids my reach. “I’m not waiting on you, I’m just making sure you have some juice with your breakfast.”
“OK, well”—I take the first glass she pours and place it by her plate—“I can get my own juice. I mean, you’ve only just got your legs back, so to speak—”
“I’m not defective.” Ari pushes the other glass of juice toward my plate.
Stunned, I watch her cap the jug and put it back in the fridge. She tries to move around me, but I side-step, and she crashes into my chest. “Whoa, Red, can we just back up a second? I don’t think you’re defective, and if you or anyone else ever says so, we’re going to have a serious problem.”
“Then stop treating me like I can’t do anything for you, OK?”
I try to take her face in my hands, to make her look at me, but she pulls away.
“Ari.” I rest my hands on my hips, trying to rein in my emotions. “That’s the second time in about ninety seconds that you’ve pulled away from me, and it kind of breaks my heart.”
Ari’s shoulders sag and I hear her let out a breath. “Shit. I’m sorry, Ethan.”
“You don’t have to apologize. I just feel like you’re picking a fight with me. The truth is, I would love for you to let me take care of you once in a while, and you won’t let that happen.” She opens her mouth like she’s going to interrupt me, but I hold a finger up. “And that’s because you’re a strong motherfucker, and I love that about you. But, truth be told, if I had my way, youwould never lift a finger, Ari. I would wait on you hand and foot if you let me—not because I think you’re incapable, but because I live and breathe to make you happy.”
