Ariellelynn's POV
Same day
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the poolside, my sister Nyomi approached me with a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Ari, it's time to head home," she announced, her voice tinged with playful teasing.
I glanced over at Dante, his expression relaxed yet somehow still captivating. Before I could respond, he flashed me a charming smile and reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone.
"Here," he said, handing me his phone with a grin. "Why don't you take my number? We should hang out sometime."
I felt a rush of excitement as I took his phone, our fingers brushing briefly. "Sure, I'd love that," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite the flutter of anticipation in my chest.
Nyomi raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing on her lips as she observed the exchange. "Well, well, well," she teased, her tone laced with amusement.
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't suppress the smile that tugged at the corners of my lips. "Oh, hush, Nyomi. It's just a friendly gesture."
She chuckled, her laughter echoing around us. "Whatever you say, sis. But I've got my eye on you."
With one last playful wink, Nyomi sauntered off, leaving me alone with my thoughts and Dante's number burning a hole in my phone.
After saying our goodbyes, I headed home with Nyomi, the night air still warm against my skin. As we walked, we chatted and laughed, our conversation flowing effortlessly between us. Despite her teasing, Nyomi had always been my closest confidante, and I was grateful for her unwavering support.
Once home, I quickly showered and settled onto my bed, my phone in hand. With a deep breath, I typed out a message to Dante, my heart racing with anticipation.
"Hey Dante, it's Ariel. Thanks for the invite to your hop out. I'd love to come. Can you tell me more about it?"
Seconds later, his reply came through, and we fell into an easy rhythm of conversation, swapping stories and sharing laughs late into the night. As I lay there, bathed in the soft glow of my phone screen, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement for what the future might hold. With Dante by my side, this summer was shaping up to be anything but ordinary.
