Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
As the pasta cooked, Aria recounted the conversations she and Alex had during the course of the day. He was funny and sweet, making everyone around him feel at ease. Watching him as he focused on the shoot made her wonder what it would be like to see him in his real environment.
Stirring the seasoned chicken in the sauté pan, she was glad that she chose a well-practiced dish for dinner. Her chicken pesto pasta was a weekly staple because of its simplicity.
Cooking for one was something she had to adapt to after losing Nicholas. Putting the sobering thought aside, she loved that fact that tonight she would be able to cook for two again. Even if it was just for a friend.
Her phone rang, pulling her out of her thoughts as she wiped her hands on a dish towel to accept the incoming video call. Seeing Corinna's face, she panicked, remembering she hadn't told her yet that she was having Alex over.
“Hey, hey lady. How's it going? Tell me about the shoot,” Corinna said when Aria accepted the call.
“Hey, love. I'm good. The shoot was amazing but the day in general was kinda weird,” Aria answered, squinting to see Corinna on her knees hunting for something in her closet. “What are you doing?”
“Found ‘em!” Corinna yelled victoriously, holding up a pair of mauve pumps.
“Ah, you have court in the morning, then. Those your new lucky shoes?”
“You know it. Now tell me everything. You have my undivided attention,” Corinna said as he pushed the hair off her face and sat on her bed.
Aria recounted the day, including the flowers Alex had sent the day before and the weird interaction with Gio after the shoot.
“I don’t know what Gio was thinking,” Aria said, her voice rising up an octave. “But watching Alex work was so satisfying.”
“I’ll bet it was.”
“Corinna!”
Snickering, Corinna added, “Listen, all I know is that he’s attracted to you.
Your radar must be broken if you can’t see it.
But let’s get back to Gio first. Okay, so, he finally made a move and in front of Alex.
Doesn’t surprise me. That only confirms what I, or anyone with eyes, can see.
He felt threatened because it’s evident how Alex sees you. Did you ask Gio about it?”
“No, I didn't. It was too awkward. And as for Alex, he doesn't live here year-round. The night at the gallery, Sofia made it sound like he’s hardly ever home. He’s a traveler, Corinna. His job demands it of him. Whatever you think you saw happening between us, it’s going nowhere,” Aria said. “He only sees me as a friend.”
“Well, let's look at the facts, shall we?
After, what ten, twelve years, he runs into you at the cafe, accidentally kisses you, then sees you at the gallery and nearly falls over his tongue at the very sight of you.
Poor man couldn't string a sentence together.
Does a photoshoot that is so beneath him it's insane, sends you flowers and gives you the sweetest compliments.
Yeah, you're right. You've convinced me.
He's not interested in you at all,” she said sarcastically.
Aria rolled her eyes and answered, “The kiss was just that, an accident, he was flustered at the gallery because it’s been a long time, I think. The flowers were a friendly gesture according to his note, and the shoot was a favor for a friend. You’re only seeing what you want to see.”
Aria leaned the phone against her canister on the counter and grabbed her wooden cutting board. Rolling the fresh basil into a log, she slowly sliced it into pieces resembling confetti, just like her mom had taught her years ago.
“Anyway, he's coming over for dinner tonight, so I'll see how it goes, I guess,” Aria said quietly, hoping Corinna wouldn’t lose her mind.
Corinna went out of view for a moment and Aria lost sight of her. She was pretty sure she had dropped her phone.
“Are you seriously just telling me this now? Do I have time to bring you some clothes?”
“Hey, I can dress myself, you know. It's too late. He will be here in forty minutes. Let me show what I chose,” she said, trying to calm Corinna’s dramatics and attempting to keep her friend from breaking traffic laws.
Too late. Aria could hear Corinna grabbing keys.
“I can still make it if I hurry. Shoot. I have to find something for you to wear first,” Corinna said, backtracking to her closet.
“No! Listen to me. Stop. I bought something. Give me a minute to turn off the stove and go get it.”
Corinna huffed but obeyed. Aria grabbed the blue, floral print maxi dress from her closet and held it up to the phone.
“Well, well, well, what do we have here? I love it! The blue brings out your hazel eyes. Went shopping, I see,” Corinna teased.
Aria rolled her eyes. “You were the one who told me I needed to update my wardrobe. Do you think it's too much?”
“No. You look like the Aria I knew years ago. Alex will love it.”
“I don't want Alex to love it. I just wanted to feel comfortable, that's all,” Aria corrected.
“Okay, then. I'm sure he won't even notice.” Corinna’s sarcasm was tiring.
“I've got to go finish dinner, so I'll call you tomorrow, I promise. We can maybe meet up somewhere after work?”
“I don't think I'll be able to wait that long, but if you promise to tell me everything, every single little detail, I'll wait.”
“Well, I could always video the dinner for you if you'd like,” Aria said, walking back to the kitchen.
“Could you?” Corinna screamed.
Laughing, Aria ended the call.
“What am I going to do with that crazy girl?”
Whirring the pesto in her mini food processor, being sure to add extra parmesan cheese for extra richness, Aria glanced at her phone. Racing to the bathroom to freshen up and dress, she smoothed her dress down in an attempt to calm herself.
When Aria finished setting the table, Alex rang the doorbell right on time. When she opened the door to greet him, he took one look at her and swallowed. She followed the rise and fall of his throat, more than a little flustered.
“Wow. Aria. You look... you look beautiful,” he stammered.
“Thank you. You, you look nice as well,” she replied, moving out of the way to let him in.
Once inside, they both stared at each other for an awkward moment. Her palms suddenly felt clammy as she gazed into his passionate, almost burning eyes. They were so intense that she felt flustered. It seemed he was looking into her soul.
And he did look nice. Not nice. Beautiful. Gorgeous. Words seemed to fail her. Who knew a plain white shirt and black leather jacket could look so good?
Ugh, Aria. Try not to drool.
“Ah, sorry. Please come in and make yourself at home,” she said as she let him in and closed the door behind him.
“I’ve been looking forward to this all day. We have so much to catch up on,” he said as she took his jacket from him and followed her into the kitchen. “Smells amazing in here.”
“Thanks. It’s one of my favorites. I hope you like chicken pesto pasta,” she answered.
Seeing his warm expression, she started to relax.
“I love it. Tell me how I can help,” he answered as he clapped his hands.
“Why don’t you open the wine and pour us a glass?” she said as she motioned to the counter where the bottle was being chilled, and where two wine glasses waited.
“I can handle that.”
As she squeezed the lemons into a jar and added the olive oil and spices for the dressing, Aria noticed his smile broaden when he saw the bunch of flowers from his bouquet. He turned around and handed her some wine, their fingertips grazing on the handoff.
She hoped she could hide her reaction by continuing to talk.
“I’m a little casual tonight after a long day. Sorry about the bare feet. It’s my usual when I’m home.”
“You’re beautiful, Aria. Dressed up, dressed down. It doesn’t matter. I love seeing you comfortable in your own space.”
They stood there in her kitchen unmoving, unable to break the spell, until Aria took a sip of her wine before turning back to the dressing. Shaking it up quickly to mix it, she hoped the motion would hide how badly her hands were shaking.
“I think you’re making me a little nervous, Mr. Rossi,” she said, her back still turned to him. “But thank you for the compliment.”
“Mr. Rossi?” Alex asked as he laughed and leaned his back against the counter giving her some space. “You make me feel like my papa’s here and not me.”
“You mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy, by coming in all your state to hear me, but I won’t be alarmed,” Aria spouted before the filter in her brain stopped the words.
Setting down the dressing loudly, she whipped her head up to see Alex’s amused expression, and she started stuttering.
“I, I don’t know why I just said that. It’s a line from Pride and Prejudice—”
“I know.”
“And I really must be nervous if my brain isn’t—What do you mean you know? Have you seen the movie?” she asked, her eyebrows tipped inward.
Leaning toward her, he answered, “If you promise never to tell this to another living soul, I’ll admit this to only you. Yes, I did. You made it sound worth my time to watch. Of course, right afterward, I had to follow it up with an old Rambo movie. Just to keep things balanced.”
Aria laughed loudly and saw joy register on his face.
“I guess we’re both a little nervous. But we’re not strangers, Aria. I’ll relax if you will,” he said, calling a truce and holding his hand out. “Hi. I’m Alex.”
Ducking her head down and chuckling, Aria allowed him to take her hand in his, gently shaking it.
“Aria,” she answered, pointing to herself with her other hand.
Pouring the dressing on the colorful salad of mixed greens, red and yellow cherry tomatoes and peppers, Aria motioned for them to move to the table.
Alex grabbed the wooden salad bowl while Aria dished out a healthy serving of pasta in a large serving bowl.
Once seated, they fell into comfortable conversation as they ate.
“I like your playlist. Jazz, Motown, indie rock. Yours seems to be as eclectic as mine.”