Page 97 of Small Town Swoo
“She’s flying up early tomorrow,” Dad confirmed. “And I’ll pick her up and drive up to Snowberry a little later in the day.” He paused. “She has her own room, of course.”
“Of course,” I said, suppressing a grin.
“So, Dad, have you been seeing Julia for a while?” Austin asked, trying to piece it all together.
“Just the last few months,” he said. “We agreed to keep it quiet to see how things went. I hope you understand.”
“Of course we do, Dad,” I said. “And we’re all happy for you. I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Me too,” said Mabel.
“You’ll love her.” Ari grinned at Mabel. “She’s really fun.”
“But wait a minute—Dad, if you’re waiting for Julia to arrive, does that mean Ari and I should find another ride to Snowberry?” Mabel asked.
“I can take you,” I said, before anyone else could offer. “I’ve got a big enough car.”
“Great!” My sister smiled at me. “What time will we leave?”
“Ari has to work, so maybe around three?”
Mabel looked confused. “How do you know she has to work?”
“I must have told him on the way to the airport,” said Ari quickly. “But if you guys don’t want to wait for me, I can drive myself.”
“We can wait for you. Or Mabel, if you want to hitch a ride with Austin and get there early enough for a spa day, I can just wait for Ari.”
“Do that,” urged Veronica. “We’ve got room in our car.”
Mabel looked at Ari. “Would that be okay?”
“Of course.” Ari glanced at me without actually meeting my eyes. “Thanks, Dash.”
“No problem.”
Everyone on the couch stood and stretched, and a few people carried their empty popcorn bowls to the kitchen.
I approached Ari and kept my voice low. “Can I give you a ride home now?”
Her cheeks reddened slightly, and she looked at mychest. “Sure. If you don’t mind. I just have to put my shoes on. They’re by the back door.”
“No problem.” I watched her leave the room.
“Dash, can I talk to you for a second?” Mabel grabbed my arm and tugged me toward the dining room.
“What about?” As if I didn’t know.
She faced me, all five foot two of her, pushed her glasses up her nose and gave me a look that meant business. “I’m not going to ask what’s going on with you and Ari, because it’s obvious. I just want to say that I hope I’m not going to be mad at you for it.”
“You won’t be. Ari and I are good.”
She glanced toward the kitchen and lowered her voice. “Okay. As long as you know that she’s always had a lot of feelings for you.”
“I know.”
“And when Ari cares about someone, she caresdeeply.”
“I know that too.” No one needed to explain Ari’s heart to me.
