CHAPTER 24

ZAYN CARTER

Dinner wrapped up with Ari practically inhaling the last of her dessert. The girl could eat like she was in a competition, and honestly, it was kinda entertaining. Fay and Blair were still going on about the whole punching-a-guy-in-the-face thing, but Ari didn't seem to give a damn. If anything, she looked proud of herself.

I wasn't surprised.

What did surprise me, though, was how she could sit there looking all smug and innocent while wearing that damn dress.

Short. Fitted. Hugging her in all the right places.

And when she shifted in her seat, crossing one leg over the other, her dress slid up just enough to reveal smooth skin—way too much of her thigh, if I was being honest. It wasn't helping that the restaurant's dim lighting made everything feel way more intimate than it actually was.

I took a sip of my drink, trying to focus on literally anything else.

Didn't work.

Instead, I found myself catching Cole staring at Fay like she was the only girl in the world. Poor dude was gone for her. I almost wanted to laugh, but then I caught movement from the corner of my eye—Ari stretching her arms over her head, her dress riding up again.

Fucking hell.

I clenched my jaw and looked away, running a hand down my face. This is gonna be a long-ass trip.

Just as we finished eating, I got a text. Mom: We're outside. Bring Ari too.

I shoved my phone back in my pocket and turned to her. "Your mom's here. So's mine."

She blinked, clearly not expecting them this soon. "Already?"

I stood up, stretching a little. "Yeah. Time to go."

Everyone else started gathering their things, and we made our way outside. Sure enough, my mom's car was parked right in front, headlights glowing softly in the night. Ari's mom stood next to her, chatting with mine.

Ari sighed. "Guess this is it."

Fay pouted, giving her a quick hug. "Have fun. And text us if you don't get killed."

Ari rolled her eyes. "Dramatic much?"

Blair smirked. "She has a point. Try not to murder each other."

Cole nudged my arm, grinning. "Drive safe, man."

I just shook my head and walked over to the car, throwing my bag in the trunk. Ari followed, adjusting her dress as she slid into the seat beside me.

Her mom gave her a look. "That dress is short."

Ari groaned. "Mom, please."

I smirked, buckling my seatbelt. This trip was about to be interesting.

.