Seasons (Ari AU)

Chapter 5

 Holland POV

   "Sorry, sorry, sorry!" I call out, rushing through the restaurant after the hostess points me to the table, the words escaping my mouth just as soon as I see the back of Ari's head. He stands at the sound of my words, smirking as I nearly collide with him thanks to my legs stopping while my  upper body continues to move forward. His strong, wide hands grip my biceps, steadying me on my feet.  "Sorry, I'm late," I finally say to his face, out of breath.

  "Did you run all the way here?" he teases me. "Need me to get the hose?"  

  "Don't mess with me. I'm late because of your sister." Ari pulls a chair out from the table, waiting to push it in once I begin to sit down. "She said she'd come in and cover for me a little earlier so I could go home and change."

  "Let me guess, she forgot?"

  "Isn't it obvious in one way or another," I huff, exasperated. "I'm still in my scrubs. I had to park three blocks away and yes, I ran here because I was already late. Wait." I finally pay closer attention to the space, noticing we're the only two at the table. "Where's your 'friend'?"

  "Quotation marks, really?" He rolls his eyes, looking down at his phone. "She's running late as well. Seems her flight got in later than planned and she wanted to freshen up at the hotel."  

  Both of his hands run through his hair, sometimes a cocky habit but right now I get the feeling it's a nervous one. I tilt my head to the side. "Why do I get the feeling she's not going to get much use out of that hotel room, Levy?"

  He rubs his palms against his jeans now as he looks over his shoulder towards the door. "Wait a minute. You really are nervous? I don't think I've seen you this way before."

Ari POV

  I don't bother telling her that she would've noticed me this way a couple years ago if she'd paid closer attention because let's face it, I'm the one that dropped that ball. 

  "Haven't seen her in about five years," I admit to her, reaching out to take a sip of my water.

  Holland arches a brow, watching me closely. "Sure you don't need something stronger than that?"

  "As much as I'd like to," I take a deep breath, "I'm technically on call thanks to your husband. So chances are that hotel room will get used tonight, but I won't be a part of it."

  "What is this woman's name? What does she look like? Give me some type of details here," she nearly begs, looking like she's salivating at the mouth wanting to know about a woman that could possibly turn my insides out. 

  "Her name is Felicity and she's blonde with blue eyes-"

  "Very All American Girl Next Door?" Holland asks, her eyes getting a sparkle to them as she interrupts me. 

  "Very," I sigh, leaning back in my chair. 

  Holland smirks back at me, pulling her napkin into her lap. "Heads up, Levy. I think she just walked in."

  I push my chair back, turning towards the door to see Felicity being brought over by the hostess.  She looks as beautiful as I remember, maybe even more so if it were possible. "Ari!" she squeals as I wrap my arms around her waist and hold her close to my chest.  

  "Look at you, Lissy," I set her back on her feet, stepping back to get a better look. The woman is a stunner, turning heads even now in her sundress and heels, a lightweight cardigan hanging over her arms.  

  "Me?" she questions, her hand reaching out to my chest, "Look at you! Are you auditioning for a Greek god or something?"

  "Stroking his ego is really not necessary." I turn to a smiling Holland, reminding me she's also sat at the table. She stands up from the table, holding out her hand towards Felicity. "Hi, I'm Holland Gable."