Chapter 28 #2
The words were pouring out of her, unwanted but unstoppable as she stood and walked away, desperately trying to harness the powerful feelings now being unleashed.
Alex stood up quickly in front of her and pulled her into his chest, holding her tight, whispering in her ear, “It's okay. Let go, Aria. You don't have to be strong all the time.”
His words released a dam in her, making her cry even more.
Why am I crying again in front of this man?
Her arms reached up and clasped together around his neck, letting his strength, his warmth, envelope her as she laid her head on his chest. His arms wrapped tighter around her waist, his head nestled in her hair.
It was as if he knew that she didn’t need words at that point.
She just needed to be held. It had been so long since she’d felt this and until that moment, didn’t know how much she had missed it.
Aria loved the newfound independence that she experienced over the last few years. She had grown in so many ways, faced many fears and was proud of what she had accomplished on her own.
But to have a man like Alex transfer his strength to her through a strong hug had opened that small crack in the door of her heart that much more.
“I’m so tired of crying, so exhausted from the tears. I don’t want to be sad anymore,” she said through her tears.
Alex kissed the top of her head and held her closer.
As her sobs slowed, she pulled away from him. When she put her hand in her pocket and produced his handkerchief, they both laughed.
With a stuttering breath, she said, “I washed it to give back to you tonight. Guess I still need it.”
“It’s yours for as long as you do,” he answered, his words causing goosebumps to raise along her arms. Why did she feel that statement had a double meaning?
Alex pulled back from her and said, “Let me get you some water. Unless you’d like a glass of wine.”
“Water, please. You seem to keep coming to my rescue.”
He smiled but didn’t answer her, his eyes twinkling as he stepped toward the cabin stairs and disappeared.
Hurrying before he returned, she undid the knot in her scarf, unraveling it from her wrist and using it to clean up around her eyes. Not wanting to stain his handkerchief with her mascara, she put it back in her pocket with the intention of cleaning it again before returning it.
Alex walked back up the stairs to the deck with a glass of cool water. Taking it from him, she thanked him before drinking most of it, grateful for its effect on her dry throat.
“Are you ready to eat?” Alex asked quietly. “I had a chef friend of mine bring us dinner.”
Grateful for the distraction, she answered heartily, “Yes, that sounds great.”
He led her down the stairs to the galley where a table was set up with flowers and candles.
On the counter nearby, Aria saw platters with grilled shrimp in what smelled like a lemon sauce, grilled eggplant and zucchini.
Bowls of cut ripe tomatoes were dressed in herbs and a basket of bread sat beside it.
“This looks amazing, Alex.”
“I hope you like it,” he said as he held out her chair before bringing the platters and bowls to the table. He took his seat next to her. “But I still do want to cook for you soon.”
She put the navy blue napkin in her lap and served her plate as she answered.
“Want to show off your skills, huh?”
She was grateful for the more upbeat conversation.
Laughing lightly as he ate, he said between bites, “Not much to show off, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve.”
“What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?” she asked as she enjoyed the simple but tasty shrimp and vegetables.
“Oh, Sofia and I were just talking about this the other day. I ate some strange things on this last trip, but the strangest thing was sannakji in a small town in South Korea years ago.”
“What is that?”
“Octopus tentacles.”
“Oh, well that’s not so bad,” Aria said, relaxing her face which was bracing for something gross.
“Did I forget to mention that they’re live? And wiggling around the bowl?” he answered as she held her hand to her mouth in horror. “I’ll spare you the details of what it’s like going down.”
She smacked his arm playfully. “Stop!”
Holding his hands up in surrender, he said, “Okay, no more, no more. But you asked.”
“I think I’ll stick with my shrimp.”
He shared a few more funny anecdotes and stood to take their plates to the sink when they finished the light meal.
“Let me help,” she said, placing her napkin on the table, grabbing the platters, and serving bowls.
“I feel like I need to apologize again for my outburst. I have no idea why that keeps happening around you. I hope I didn’t make you feel uncomfortable,” she said softly, handing him a plate to wash.
Taking his hands out of the sudsy water, he dried them on a nearby towel and took her hand.
“You didn't make me uncomfortable at all. Actually, I’m glad you feel that you can say what’s in your heart. It means a lot to me that you trust me with that. You have no idea how much.”
Loving the feel of holding his hand again, Aria placed her other hand over his and stroked her thumb across the top of it, mirroring what he had done earlier. The action caused him to look down at their joined hands.
“You keep surprising me. The way I feel when we’re together,” Aria said softly.
She was shocked when the words came out but wasn’t sorry they had.
“How do you feel when we’re together, Aria?” he asked, looking fully into her eyes.
Pausing to calm her overactive heart, she answered, “Happy, and like I’ve known you all my life.”
“Well, we’re not strangers. I mean, we knew each other back in school. But I’m glad we’re finally where we can spend time together, get to know more about each other. I want that very much.”
Nodding with a grin, Aria said, “Me too.”
Alex looked at her with so much emotion that she felt joy for the first time in so long. The gentle sway of the vessel, the vanilla scent from the candles, the feelings that were blossoming between them seemed to work their magic of bringing peace to her erratic mind.
She allowed herself to be in the moment, though it felt selfish. Surprisingly, she was alright with that. She felt ready to open up just a tiny bit more.
“I know I told you before that I haven’t written in a long time, which is true. It’s been years since I even wrote in my journal.”
“You mean like the pink one you had in school?”
Gasping, she answered, “How do you know about that?”
“I told you. I had a crush on you back then and anyone paying attention could see that you had it with you everywhere you went,” Alex answered, with a teasing look, his voice deep and rich.
Leaning her forehead on his chest, she mumbled into his shirt, “You really meant it, didn’t you?”
“About my crush? Absolutely.”
Lifting her head and looking up at him, she scanned his face for assurance.
Her voice low, she asked, “And when, when you said your crush had returned? Did you mean that too?”
Alex leaned in a little closer and answered, “Every. Single. Word.”
Neither of them seemed able to deny the intensity of feeling that had developed between them in such a short time. She felt drunk on it, and if his eyes were any indication of his feelings, so was he.
“I should clarify what I said earlier. It has been years since I wrote anything but I, um, I started writing again. Very recently, that is.”
“Oh, really? And what brought on that renewed inspiration?” Alex asked, his eyebrows high, his smile wide.