Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
Aria rolled the window up higher as the cool air flowed through her car window, making her dress flap in the breeze.
She had dressed casually in her favorite wrap dress with a matching cardigan for her dinner with Alex. Somehow, she felt like she needed something familiar to guard her from whatever might take place that evening.
Her left foot tapped along to the beat of the American pop songs from her playlist as she mentally prepared for their conversation.
He had told her that Bella was an ex and her presence on the boat was unwanted.
Those well-erected walls around her heart were still in place, but he had successfully started to dismantle them that night before Bella showed up.
Stopping at a traffic light, Aria could hear the muffled beat of music drifting in from a nearby bar. It matched the steady beat of her heart as she thought back on her confession to Corinna.
The guilt that she harbored inside her had been brought to light that night. The desire to feel the growing connection with Alex was followed by what felt like a betrayal, only to be blindsided by that confession.
The car behind her honked, and she waved an apology and sped up again.
It was a tsunami of feelings, but she had been wading through them over the past two days.
She would have a lot to discuss with her grief counselor at their next appointment, but Aria felt proud that she had managed to talk through most of them.
Her GPS brought her out of her musings when it announced she was about three minutes from her destination. Alex had pleaded with her to let him pick her up, but she insisted that she would meet him at his house. After their last date, she needed assurance that leaving would be an option.
When she arrived, Aria parked in a clearing Alex had told her would be open for her. She could hear waves crashing in the distance and saw a quaint house at the end of a long gravel walkway.
When she climbed out of her car, she shut her door, nervously smoothing down her dress which continued to want to flap open in the breeze.
Her door must have alerted Alex to her arrival, and she saw him then, a few yards away, quickly walking toward her with a bouquet of flowers in his hand and a hopeful expression on his face.
“Welcome, Aria. I'm so happy that you're here,” Alex said, his smile becoming more confident as she stood there.
Can he see my insides softening at the sight of him? Come on, be strong, Aria. He might make me feel alive again, but I still need to guard my heart.
He shifted nervously when she didn’t answer, his confidence slipping slightly. He strode the last few feet that separated them until he stood before her, holding out the bouquet.
The floral arrangement was similar to the last one, with orange blossoms and greenery, but wildflowers of every color had been added. The sight of them instinctively made Aria beam, the fragrance tickling her nostrils.
“These are for you,” Alex said in his purely masculine voice as he leaned down, handing her the bouquet of fragrant flowers.
“They're beautiful,” she answered softly.
“I’m very happy you accepted my invitation. There are so many things I want to say.”
Nodding wordlessly, she ignored his attempt to take her hand as they started down the walkway. But her resolve nearly broke when she realized that he had lit thick white candles and placed them in lanterns the whole length of the path that ran on the side of house.
They illuminated the path, bathing it in dancing shadows and it rivaled the mood the twinkling lights on the boat had set.
Something about them eased the tension she felt in her shoulders and even more so, in her heart.
He had taken the time once again to make her feel special, cherished, no doubt remembering her reaction on the boat.
He stole a glance at her that she returned, but she quickly turned her face forward again.
The waves and the smell of salty sea air became louder and more pronounced as they neared his house.
The lanterns lit the diminutive front porch as well, revealing hanging baskets of flowers of various colors.
Fuchsia and red bougainvillea adorned it and before she knew it, she was running her fingers along them, marveling at the beauty.
Alex watched her with rapt attention, his hands flexing before being shoved in the front pocket of his jeans as if forcing himself not to touch her.
Aria took in the short expanse of beach that led to the ocean and recalled what Alex had said about Adrian’s painting that he most likely purchased. Turning back to see Alex watching her, he gestured to the open front door.
“Would you like to come in?” he said, immediately embarrassed at his words.
She wanted to joke and say, “No, I only came to see the front porch,” but thought better of it.
“Sure,” she answered instead, walking inside.
She moved into the living room, giving him space to step in and close the door.
The cobalt blue tiles in his kitchen stole her attention first, but soon, she understood that Alex’s description of it being a shack was far from the truth. Arched doorways, carved wood and natural stone adorned the living space.
The walls were covered with black and white photographs that beckoned her closer. Some were candid shots of his family and friends, but others were of people and landscapes that made her wish she was right there in them.
She stepped closer to see some of the photos on the walls and marveled.
Breaking the silence, Alex explained, “Those were taken the last time I was in Malawi, Northern Africa, in a remote village.
I fell in love with the people there during my three-month stay.
I'd never seen such poverty or such joy. Their community and love for family, simplicity of needs and fervor for life touched my heart and honestly, changed me forever.”
“These are amazing. Such beautiful people. You definitely captured their joy,” she said, looking up at him in wonder.
One of the photos was of a little boy holding a toy truck, his smile making her heart ache.
Alex tentatively took her hand, Aria’s attention turned back to him as he brought her down to the sofa. He was moving slowly, apparently afraid of making any sudden movements that might scare her.
Alex sat next to her and spoke softly. The warmth of his hand was a welcome touch, and she didn’t realize until that moment how much she missed it.
“I am so very sorry about what happened the other night. I haven't been able to sleep or even function, worrying about what you must think.”
Looking down at their hands, Aria asked, “You said she was your ex-girlfriend, but that’s not what she told the taxi driver.”
Closing his eyes, he took a big breath in and then released it, his hand gripping her tightly.
“No. Please believe me when I tell you that I would never pursue you if I was in another relationship.”
“I want to believe that, Alex, but she didn’t seem to think it was over,” she answered, fidgeting in her seat, her eyes fixated on the floor in front of her.
She wasn’t sure she could make eye contact yet.
“It’s over, I promise you that. Bella and I have had an unusual relationship.
She’s a model I met on a shoot in the Maldives.
We dated long distance and spent time together when our schedules matched.
We had similar career goals in mind and after two years, I thought we were headed for something more serious.
We were in love, or so I thought. I made our relationship a priority over my career, but when I missed one of her big fashion events, she got very angry with me.
I had no choice. I was stuck in Bolivia, but she was hurt, disappointed.
She lashed out and said some hurtful things in retaliation, I guess.
This was right before I left for my last assignment. Then I got a call from a friend.”
Alex stopped abruptly, making Aria look up at him.
Pain colored his face as he pulled his lips in, either trying to hold back tears or anger. Her instinct was to reach out to him, so she put her other hand on top of the one he was holding.
The touch must have been what he needed as he took a breath and continued.
“This, this friend called. He had seen Bella and another man in a compromising situation in a hotel in Paris. Sometimes I think she did it on purpose so I’d find out. I broke it off with her and stopped taking her calls. Haven't spoken to her since. Well, until the other night.”
Silence hung over them like a heavy blanket, Aria trying to process what she had just heard.
“So, why was she here? How did she know you were back in Positano?”
“I found out a few nights ago that Michael's agent was secretly taking photos during the shoot. He mentioned me in a post about Michael's new book,” Alex explained.
Aria was indignant.
“I had no idea. He shouldn’t have done that. I made it clear you requested it be a closed shoot for your privacy.”
“It’s not worth pursuing with him. What's done is done. Bella knows where my dad’s house is and when she didn't find me there, she took a chance and came to the marina. I forgot that I told her about the boat.”
Aria was quiet, taking it all in. Remembering that he said this house was fairly new, she asked, “Has she been here before?”
“This house? No. She’s never been here. Besides Sofia, you’re the only woman I’ve brought over.”
Aria blushed, her raised eyebrows signaling her surprise. When she spoke, her voice faltered.
“Does, does she want you back?”
Alex shifted in his seat, his face registering his internal struggle with the answer.
“I won’t lie to you, Aria. Yes, she does, but that will never happen.”
“Because of the cheating?”
Nodding his head, he answered, “Yes, but also because my heart doesn’t belong to her anymore.”
Aria eyes went wide, but she remained silent.
“Please say something. Do you believe me? I never meant to hurt you.”