Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Alex picked Aria up from her house and she rambled all the way to the marina. She was excited to get out on the water but didn't know what to expect, so she wore her favorite high-waisted jeans and a red plaid shirt tied at the waist with sandals.
As always, she had her favorite scarf wrapped around her wrist. She was glad to see that he wore a similar outfit of dark wash jeans, a black long-sleeved Henley, and black boots.
When they pulled up to the marina, parked and walked up to the ‘boat’, her jaw dropped.
“Alex! You said we were going on a boat. Look at how I'm dressed. This is not a boat,” Aria said as he led them onto a small yacht.
“Aria, I told you already. You never have to dress a certain way around me. I like what you have on. It’s very nautical,” he answered as he surveyed her outfit with a teasing expression. “Besides, it’s not a yacht. It’s a mini yacht.”
His eyes landed on her wrist, his hand touching the ends that hung down where the scarf was tied.
“I like this. It’s different.”
Looking down at her wrist, she shrugged and answered, “Oh, yeah, it became my ‘signature’ look when I was a teenager awkwardly trying to be fashionable. It just stuck.”
“I remember,” he said barely over a whisper, making her wonder if she had imagined it.
He took her hand and helped her navigate the metal gangplank. She was grateful for her choice of footwear.
Her jaw dropped again when she saw the gold script lettering on the side of the yacht, the reflection of the setting sun making it glow.
The Albatross.
“How—albatross?” she stuttered, thinking of her confession to him about her love of them.
He didn’t answer, but a coy smile crossed his face as they stepped onto the deck. Aria surveyed the yacht with its sleek, crisp white lines, its hull gleaming with an immaculate polish. The deck was a smooth expanse of teak, with chrome railings catching the light in silvery flashes.
Walking around the wide expanse, Aria ran her hands over the railings, breathing in the salt air deeply while Alex watched her curiously.
“Like it?”
Turning her head to face him, she answered, “Alex, it’s beautiful.”
She went to ask again about the name, but he said, “Wait here.”
She watched him walk down a few stairs that led to the cabin, then he turned off the lights. The boat was dark for a moment, making her look around, when suddenly the whole expanse of the deck was filled with twinkling lights. She could see now that they were strewn from end to end on the vessel.
Aria gasped and stepped away from the railing and spun around in a circle taking in the glorious sight.
She couldn’t help the giggle that bubbled up from inside her.
She couldn’t remember the last time she felt so light, so free.
She raised her hands in the air, reaching for the lights as if reaching for the stars, her head flung back as she saw the last of the sunset give way to the night.
She felt his presence before she saw him, and when she bent her head down, Alex had moved closer to her. He looked at her as if captivated by the sight. The lights reflected in his eyes as she moved closer to him, his eyes filled with wonder.
“Alex. This is breathtaking. What did you do?”
He closed the space between them and leaned in and kissed her cheeks, making her heart take off like a galloping horse.
“Welcome to The Albatross, Aria. Ever since you told me you loved them, I thought about bringing you here. It's not a real one, but it’ll have to do for now.”
“It’s, I’m at a loss for words,” she said, her hand on her heart. He had stepped back just enough to not hover over her, but he was still close enough that she could hear his steady breath.
“You know... Enzo and Adrian have a nickname for me. It started years ago and just stuck. They’ve been calling me ‘albatross’ since I started my career.”
“Why? Because you don’t like to stay in one place for long?”
She hoped her words didn’t reveal her burgeoning fears.
Alex paused, his expression turning thoughtful. “I’ve loved traveling and meeting new people, seeing new places. I always will. But just like the sea bird that we both seem to admire, I also want to find my true mate one day. Adventures happen in many different ways.”
His words unnerved and excited her and once again, this man was causing all her senses to fire rapidly. She was overwhelmed by the smell of the ocean, the tickle of his beard when he kissed her cheek, the sight of the lights twinkling, the distant sound of muffled voices and music from the marina.
He must have sensed her inner turmoil because he stepped closer and took both her hands in his, causing her breath to catch at the connection.
“Aria, I know we’re just getting to know one another again but I have to confess something.”
His eyes were now locked once again on hers as she craned her neck to look up into them.
“Y-yes?”
“I, the feelings I had for you, you know back in school? Aria, I think I have a crush on you. Again,” he said as a smile widened, making them both blush.
Chuckling and taking one of her hands from his and covering her face, she said, “Alex Rossi, we’re too old for crushes. You’re adorable, but you can’t mean that.”
Alex took her hand from her face and then used his forefinger under her chin to make her look up at him again.
His voice lost its teasing tone and grew more serious, dropping lower in tone.
“Aria, I never say words I don’t mean. I’m trying so hard not to move too fast or say too much, but I... This, the boat, the lights, you and me here on this deck. If I haven’t been clear, I need you to know. This is a date, not just two schoolmates hanging out. Is that something you’re okay with?”
All at once, Aria felt that rush of emotions pulsing through her. It was thrilling, intoxicating and it was clear. Alex Rossi was wooing her. All those scenes from her favorite romance novels seemed to be playing out in that moment, and she wondered if she was actually going to swoon.
“I’m okay with that,” was all she could croak out softly.
“Good.” With that, he stepped back and led her by the hand to the railing.
“It’s a beautiful night and I promised you the stars,” he continued as her attention turned to the inky sky filled with twinkling stars that rivaled for her attention.
Pointing to the rising moon, Aria said, “Wow. It’s like a lantern illuminating the night sky. So beautiful.”
“Yes, it is.”
Turning to him and seeing he had not taken his gaze off her, she teased, “You’re not looking at the moon.”
Chuckling, he said as he turned his head upwards to the sky, “Okay, okay, I’m looking.”
“When I see the ocean, the vastness of the stars, the moon, it makes me feel small but in a good way, you know? Like I’m part of something bigger than myself.
That’s always brought so much joy to my life.
But lately, I’ve found it hard to appreciate the beauty around me after what happened to Nicholas,” she continued without thinking.
Suddenly realizing she had spoken out loud, she let go of his hand, which she had forgotten she was still holding, and took a step back.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that,” she mumbled, embarrassed and fearing she had just made him feel uncomfortable.
“Aria, that’s a normal response to grief. I felt it myself after losing my mom. It’s healthy to express your feelings,” Alex said.
Aria bowed her head and said, “Thanks so much for saying that. I’ve really struggled with those feelings for too long.
I need to let them go, try to move forward in my life.
But then the guilt of wanting these things comes.
My mind tells me I shouldn’t want those things.
But my heart says to go for it, you know? It’s so confusing.”
Alex closed the distance between them again as he took her by the elbow gently and turned her to face him.
“I confessed that same guilt to you the other night about not choosing to work for my dad. It’s not healthy and more importantly, not what our loved ones would want for us.”
Nodding her head, she answered, “No, you’re right. And I know it, but it’s hard. I’m working on it.”
She forced air into her lungs and released it, letting the rhythmic motion of his thumb that moved back and forth on her arm soothe her.
When she looked down at his hand, he must have thought she was uncomfortable and pulled away. Before she could tell him differently, he said, “Let’s move over here to the bench. It’s more comfortable than standing. Can I get you something to drink?” he asked as she followed him to the seating area.
“No, thanks. I’m fine,” she answered, feeling the thick cushioned vinyl seat underneath her.
“So, let’s talk more about your dreams. The adventures you want to have.”
“Oh, there are too many responsibilities running the publishing house to go off on any adventures. But sometimes I do dream of leaving it all behind and getting on a plane. To be free to write and travel.”
“You can still have all those things, you know that right? Start by taking a few weeks off and pursuing them. Explore, get lost in some faraway place.”
“That sounds like a dream, Alex, but I can’t. People are relying on me. And I owe it to Nicholas to keep his dream alive. I can't just take off and travel but maybe, maybe one day.”
“I don't know Nicholas the way you did, obviously, but no man that loved an amazing woman like you as much as I know he must have would want you to waste your dreams on the expectations of others. Including his.”
Aria sat up straighter, her body language revealing her stress.
“I can’t. I feel the weight of what is expected of me every day.
” Her hands clasp together in a wringing motion.
It matched the way her heart felt as the words tumbled out of her.
“Nicholas would have expected me to keep this business running. My employees have worked so hard to help me when I couldn’t get out of bed in the beginning. I owe it to them too.”