Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Aria leaned against her front door as she listened for Alex's Jeep pull away. She felt euphoric and distressed at the same time.
Corinna was right. Alex cared about her and not just as a friend. Tonight further confirmed what she had been feeling.
Now it was up to her to decide what she wanted. What was she willing to give, if anything? Her heart was at stake. One wrong move would leave her devastated.
Alex hadn't confessed his feelings yet, so Aria decided she would wait for him to make the first move. But he was showing it in small ways.
And then there was the dancing. The way he held her in his strong arms, the way he looked at her. There was no sense denying it anymore. When he spoke her name while they were dancing, the guilt rose up sharply. She had to get away and the man who interrupted the dance was a welcome excuse.
Once again, she found herself breathless and bewildered in a restroom after having been in Alex’s arms.
Outwardly he was handsome, of course. But it was his heart.
The way he cared for and spoke about his family, especially his mother.
It just touched her deeply. His fame had not made him jaded.
Instead, it opened opportunities for him to do good in the world.
And it was evident, like her, his friends were more like family.
Sliding her phone from her clutch, she texted Corinna as promised.
Aria: I’m home. Had a great time. Got to slow dance with Alex
Corinna: *heart emoji* *crying emoji* How was it?
Aria: Confusing but good. Really good.
Corinna: *fire emoji* stop processing
Aria: Ha! Talk soon. Love you.
She put her phone to charge and got ready for bed.
A little while later, she heard the ping again, but the text was from Alex.
Alex: Wanted to make sure you were alright.
Aria: All good. See you tomorrow.
Alex: Can’t wait.
Grabbing her journal, Aria wrote for a while before finally giving in to sleep.
As she slid down under her sheets, she was once again struck with gratitude that her inspiration had returned.
Was Alex the reason? Her heart said yes.
Her mind said, Slow down, Aria.
Her heart reminded of her sparks and butterflies and slow dances.
Her mind said, Take your time, Aria.
Her heart apparently won as her thoughts were still on Alex as she drifted off to sleep, the constant numbness that she lived with making way for the warmth that came with those thoughts.