Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
The next evening, Aria rushed out of the office, texting Corinna that she was running late and telling her to use the spare key to her house.
“I’m here, I’m here!” Aria yelled as she ran into the house.
She threw her purse and keys on the kitchen table, kicking off her shoes as she headed to her bedroom where Corinna had set up their makeshift makeup and hair station.
“Slow down, girl. I’ve got this. Go take a quick shower and slip on a robe. And don’t wash your hair. We don’t have time to dry it.” Corinna said as she continued laying out more makeup items than Aria had seen outside of a department store.
“Dry shampoo it is,” Aria answered, already undressing as she skidded into the bathroom.
As the warm water eased her tension, she imagined what it would be like to dance again. It had been so long. Sofia was right. She loved dancing. Nicholas was a great dancer and would spin her around the living room until she got dizzy.
But tonight, another man’s arms would be around her. Tonight, another man would spin her around and move to the music.
Trying to dismiss the growing excitement, she turned off the faucet and wrapped a wide towel around her, tucking it in front of her chest.
Wiping away the steam on the mirror, she looked at herself and took stock for a moment.
What would it feel like? Would it be thrilling like all their other interactions, or would having another man hold her feel like a betrayal?
But this wasn’t just any man. This was Alex, and somehow that truth seemed to erase the guilt. Before she could dig deeper into it, Corinna called out for her to hurry.
Slipping out of the towel and into the robe, Aria allowed the growing excitement to build.
When she let her friend in and turned on the exhaust fan to draw out the moisture in the bathroom, she caught Corinna looking quizzically at her.
“What?”
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were excited about tonight,” Corinna said, sitting on the chair she had brought and pulling a brush through Aria’s long hair.
“I guess I am,” she answered shyly. “But I’ve got to catch you up on what’s happened.”
Aria told her about her conversation with Gio.
“Wow, well I hate how he made Alex sound like some marauding pirate, but we all knew he would finally shoot his shot,” Corinna said as she carefully slid a straightening iron over Aria’s hair. “How do you feel now that he’s told you he wants to pursue more than just friendship?”
“I was ticked at first, but it was clear how protective he is. But one thing became clear. I don’t feel that way about him.”
Corinna’s head shook from side to side as she pressed her lips together.
“What’s that look?”
“Hmm, let’s see. Maybe it’s the look of ‘I told you so.’”
“You’re so annoying.”
“I’m just saying,” she answered, singing the words.
She turned off the straightener and sprayed Aria’s hair with finishing spray, making them both fan their faces and cough.
“So, what’s the plan for Gio and work?”
“Ugh, it won’t be easy, but we’ll try to get past this. When he returns on Monday, we will do a trial run, I guess? Not quite sure what else to do. Just see if we can move past the awkwardness.”
Corinna arched her brows. “That’ll be hard, but there’s always hope, I suppose.”
She worked quickly, concentrating on the last part of the makeover, Aria using the quiet to quell her growing nerves.
When she stepped back to survey her work, she smiled and said, “You look amazing.” When Aria hesitated to get up, Corinna asked, “You okay?”
“I like him. I like Alex. He’s been sweet and friendly, but yeah, you’re right. I’ll admit it. There’s something there.”
“And that’s a good thing, honey. A really good thing. You don’t have to make any big decisions now. I know you’re worried because his career brings him all over the world, but for these few weeks that he’s here, just spend time with him.”
“Yeah, I think I will. I think I want that.”
Aria hugged her tightly, thanking her for the help. As she grabbed her clutch and added lipstick, her debit card and her ID, she quickly moved toward the door, yelling behind her for Corinna to lock up.
“Hey and listen, if you decide Alex isn’t the guy for you, give him my number,” Corinna yelled, making Aria laugh loudly.
“Ah, I think you mean Enzo, right?” Aria said teasingly.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” Corinna answered, annoyance coloring her tone.
Aria laughed even harder as she raced to her car.