Page 37 of Small Town Swoo
He finally looked at me, his mouth hooking up. “You said there was nothing going on.”
“There’s not. We’re spending some time together at her house, that’s all.”
“Watching romantic movies. Having dinner she cooks for you. Painting a bedroom together.”
“As friends,” I stressed. “She doesn’t have any older brothers to help her with the house, and her dad has a bad back.”
“I get it. That’s nice of you.”
But I felt compelled to continue explaining. “She’s showing me her favorite romantic movies because I’m trying to improve my range as an actor, and I’m taste-testing new recipes she’s trying. She’d like to add a few more upscale items to the menu here, but her parents are resistant.”
“Why doesn’t she open up her own place?”
“She’s too loyal to her parents.”
“Can’t fault her for that,” said Austin.
“No. But it’s a hell of a sacrifice.”
Ari approached with the coffee pot again, so I stopped talking and picked up my fork.
“So what will you two do with the rest of the day?” She glanced out the window before refilling our cups. “Looks beautiful out there.”
“Work,” said Austin.
“I promised my dad I’d help him with some spring cleanup in the yard,” I said. “We’re going to make a run to the hardware store for some new garden tools, then if we really feel like getting crazy, we might hit up the nursery for some new shrubs. Maybe some mulch.”
She laughed. “And you want to come over andpaintafter doing all that? You’re going to need a back massage.”
When she’d wandered off again, Austin shook his head. “Now I know how Xander felt when he told me how obvious it was between Veronica and me. You and Arihaveto be worse.”
“I told you,” I said, my nerves fraying a bit. “We’re just friends.”
“I know what you told me.”
“You don’t believe it?”
“Well, I’m trying, but the way she keeps looking over here at you is making it difficult.”
I risked a peek at her, caught her staring, and quickly dropped my gaze to my plate.
“Jesus.” Austin laughed. “I feel like I’m in the middle school cafeteria. But look, you two are grown-ass adults, and you can do what you want. Just be careful. It’s Ari. You know?”
“Iknow.”
“Good. Then I won’t say anything more about it.”
Around one that afternoon, I was spreading some mulch in the garden bed that bordered the patio when Xander opened the sliding glass door and stepped outside. In his hand was one of the containers with the leftover chicken pot pie. “Hey,” he said. “Where’s Dad?”
“I’m not sure, actually.” Straightening up, I removed my hat and wiped my forehead with the inside of my arm, leaving a sweaty streak of dirt. It was so hot, I’d taken off my long-sleeved Henley and wore only a white tank. “He keeps disappearing.”
“To do what?”
“I don’t know.” I replaced the hat. “Once he said he had to make a phone call. Twenty minutes ago, he said he wanted lunch. I thought he was just going into the kitchen to make it.”
“His car is gone.”
I laughed. “Fuck. He ditched me.”
