TO HEAVEN WITH YOU

Ari decided to visit Leo at his apartment. It was his day off from practice, and he had invited her over. She was both excited and nervous, unsure of what to expect. This was her first time visiting his home, and she wanted to make a good impression.

She arrived at his apartment in the early afternoon, carrying a bag of groceries. Leo greeted her at the door with a warm smile, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her.

"Hey, Ari," he said, pulling her into a hug. "Thanks for coming over."

"Hey, Leo," she replied, hugging him back. "I thought I could cook for you today."

Leo's smile widened. "That sounds amazing. Come on in."

Ari stepped inside, taking in her surroundings. Leo's apartment was modest but cozy, with a comfortable living area and a small kitchen. She set the groceries down on the kitchen counter and began unpacking them, while Leo made himself comfortable on the couch.

"Make yourself at home," he said. "I'm just going to relax here while you work your magic."

Ari smiled, feeling a bit more at ease. She quickly got to work, chopping vegetables and marinating chicken for a stir-fry. The kitchen soon filled with the delicious aroma of cooking food. Leo watched her from the couch, his eyes filled with appreciation.

When the meal was ready, she served it on two plates and brought them over to the small dining table. Leo joined her, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of the food.

"Wow, Ari, this looks incredible," he said, taking a seat.

"Thanks," she replied, blushing slightly. "I hope you like it."

He took a bite, savoring the flavors. "This is amazing. You're an excellent cook."

Ari beamed at the compliment. "I'm glad you like it."

As they ate, Ari's thoughts began to drift. She had been wondering about their relationship for a while now, unsure of where it was heading. She decided that now was as good a time as any to bring it up.

"Leo," she began hesitantly, "can I ask you something?"

"Of course," he replied, looking up from his plate.

"I've been thinking a lot about us," she said, trying to find the right words. "About our relationship. I mean, you haven't asked me out or made things official between us. Do you not want to be committed? Or are you just playing with me?"

Leo looked taken aback by her questions. He set down his fork and took a deep breath. "Ari, I'm sorry if I've made you feel uncertain," he said, his voice serious. "It's not that I don't want to be committed. I just want to take things slowly and see where they lead."

Ari felt a knot of tension in her chest. "But why? If you don't want me, just tell me. I can handle it."

Leo reached across the table and took her hand in his. "Ari, listen to me," he said, his voice softening. "If I didn't want you, I wouldn't be close to you in the first place. I'm not playing with you. I care about you, and I want to see where this goes. But I also want to make sure we do it right."

She looked into his eyes, searching for any hint of doubt or insincerity. All she saw was honesty and affection. "So, you do want to be with me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes," he replied firmly. "I do. But I also want to make sure we're both ready for it. Rushing into things can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or problems. I want to build something real with you."

Ari felt a sense of relief wash over her. She squeezed his hand, grateful for his honesty. "Okay," she said, smiling. "I understand. I just needed to know where we stand."

Leo smiled back at her. "I promise, Ari. We'll take our time and see where this goes. But I do want to be with you."

They finished their meal in a comfortable silence, the tension between them easing. After dinner, they moved to the couch, where they spent the rest of the evening talking and laughing, their connection growing stronger with each passing moment. Ari felt a sense of peace, knowing that Leo cared for her and wanted to build something real together.