Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
When Aria and Corinna walked into the gallery, Aria’s eyes widened at the sight of the crowd. Upbeat music played in the background. Laughter and conversation echoed in the long, wide venue. Servers in black uniforms glided through the crowd with their offerings.
This was so different from her usual quiet and solitary nights. Suddenly, the dress felt too tight and constricting. Smoothing it down nervously, she tried hard to force a smile to appease Corinna.
“Stop fidgeting,” Corinna whispered. “You look gorgeous. Relax and let’s try to have some fun. We’ll grab a drink, some food and enjoy the art. It’s all from our area so I know you’ll love it.”
“I can’t believe you talked me into this,” Aria answered, scanning the room for another exit point.
“What? The dress or the exhibit?”
“Both,” Aria hissed.
They walked a few feet into the venue, but Aria stopped again to try and steady her breath, her anxiety ratcheting up.
All she wanted to do was go home, get in her pajamas, and continue reading the romance novel she had bought a few days before.
Being in this uncomfortable situation made her think of her early school days. Some things never changed.
Tapping Aria’s hand, Corinna gave her the comfort she needed.
“Breathe, girl. We can wait here until you feel like you’re ready to move inside,” Corinna said quietly. “I know this hard and I’m so proud of you. But if you want to leave at any point, I’ll be right behind you.”
Nodding her head and taking a deep breath, Aria answered, “Thanks, babe. Just need another minute.”
While she took some calming breaths, Corinna stopped to talk to a colleague from the law office. She had her back turned to Aria but stayed close.
Aria’s eyes stopped roaming when they landed on a handsome man in black who was walking toward her, talking, and laughing with two other men.
When he turned toward her, his eyes widened. He stared as if dumbstruck, his head leaning forward, his eyebrows reaching high. The noise of the music seemed to disappear; the hum of conversation drowned out.
Wait. It couldn’t be.
The man took a few steps forward and her name left his lips in a whisper, almost like a prayer.
“Aria?”
One of the other men whipped his head around to stare at her as well while a look of shock and recognition slowly crossed his face. The third man stood still, watching the strange interaction in amused confusion.
Aria stepped away from Corinna, tilting her head to the left. Her eyes widened in shock, her mouth open in a silent gasp.
The cafe. Was that the gorgeous man from the cafe?
She felt like she was going to hyperventilate.
The memory of that kiss, the way she felt in his arms, the emotions that erupted in that quick interaction were all too much for her to comprehend.
He was here. The man who had disrupted everything was now standing in front of her calling her by name.