Chapter 56
Chapter Fifty-Six
Six Months Later
The first few weeks after Aria and Alex met again at the cafe were hectic for her.
When she told her parents, Santo, and Corinna about her and Alex’s reunion, they were all ecstatic. Promising to bring him for a visit to both Rome and Madrid at some point, Aria dove into working on the edits for her book as well as keeping up with the administration parts of her job.
She was impressed by how efficiently the publishing house had been run with Natalia at the helm, and began considering another break away, this time with Alex.
Unexpected Love was in the proofreading stage, and as the publication date neared, her excitement built.
I’m really doing this! It’s all happening just as I dreamed. With one big exception.
Her thoughts of Alex intensified as she sat at her office desk and watched Luna bring in a bouquet of wildflowers, something he did weekly.
Alex had taken some photography jobs closer to home, but filled his free time helping Enzo with the youth programs he ran at the gym.
“Thank you, Luna,” she said as she gathered them to her and inhaled their heady fragrance.
“I’m so happy for you, Aria,” Luna said as she went back to her desk.
“Thanks, love. I am too.”
Reaching for her phone, she dialed his number.
“You are single-handedly keeping the Positano florists in business, my love.”
Chuckling he answered, “I’ve emptied their reserves and moved on to the other cities. What are you doing, beautiful? Can’t wait to see you tonight.”
“Just sent off the last of the edits to Natalia for proofreading. I’ve loved the process, but seeing all that goes into it from this side of the table, so to speak, is a bit overwhelming at times.”
“I remember feeling that way when I first started photography jobs. So much more involved than I thought. You’ll be fine, and I bet you’re learning a lot.”
Twisting her chair so she could see out her window, she replied, “That is so true. I have a new appreciation for what authors go through. And to answer your other question, yes, I’m so ready to see you tonight.”
“I know. It’s been too long, love.”
Turning back to her desk, Aria shook her head. “Alex, we’ve spent just about every day together with a few exceptions, like this week.”
Groaning his complaint, he said, “Yeah, it’s been three days! How do you expect me to live like this?”
Laughing loudly, she said, “You’re ridiculous, but I love you. Let me get back to work so I’ll be ready when you come for me.”
“Counting down the hours. Love you, cara mia.”
Rushing into her house hours later, Aria freshened up and slipped into a coral-colored dress.
The weather was still unseasonably warm and she wanted to wear it before the cooler weather arrived.
Pairing it with a jean jacket and brown leather wedges, Aria finished getting ready just as Alex pulled up.
For as much as she had teased him earlier, she was anxious to see him, too. Memories of the last six incredible months flowed through her mind.
Evenings out to dinner, as well as many spent in each other’s homes cooking together, concerts in the park, moonlit walks on the beach, hours of conversations, and karaoke nights with Enzo and Corinna which were always interesting.
Her walk down memory lane was interrupted when Alex knocked on her door, pulling her out of her musings.
“Hey beautiful girl,” he cooed when she opened the door.
She would never get used to the sight of this gorgeous man with a heart of gold.
“Hey, there,” she said, batting her eyelashes and openly flirting with him.
“You look amazing,” he said as his eyes perused her from head to toe, making her blush as he always did.
“Thanks. You look nice, too. Special occasion?” she asked as she took in his dark wash jeans and fitted white button-down shirt.
His eyes held mischief when he answered, “Seeing you is the special occasion.”
“You know your way around a compliment, Mr. Rossi.”
Bringing her into a warm embrace, she heard him groan in her ear, matching the way she felt inside.
“You smell so good,” he said, his words slowly spoken.
“Hm, must be all those flowers you send me.”
Pulling back, he feigned annoyance at her retort.
“You know what I meant. Now if you’re done teasing me, are you ready?”
“Yes! I only had a quick salad for lunch and I’m starving,” she answered, gathering her purse as he walked her outside and locked the door for her.
On the ride, his hands stayed on her the whole time. But his eyes held a strange expression, almost nervous.
“Everything okay?” she asked, moving a piece of hair from his eyes as he drove.
The action always caused his eyes to flutter.
“Better stop that unless you want me to pull over before we get home,” he teasingly warned.
The flirty warning and the word ‘home’ made her inhale sharply as she looked at him. His sheepish reaction was adorable, but she wondered why he had said it that way.
Alex helped her out of the car as usual when they pulled up to his house and held her hand tightly when they entered.
As soon as they entered the living room, he pulled her to him and kissed her with fervor.
Aria lost her breath for a moment.
His arms encircled her waist as one hand traveled up into her hair, cupping the back of her head. Aria rose onto her toes, trying to reach him better. Soon, they were lost in each other's arms, dizzy with love and passion.
“Aria,” he whispered as he pulled just a few inches away from her lips. “The night we met again at the gallery, my life changed forever. I was lost until I met you.”
“You don't have to wander anymore, Alex. You're home. With me,” she whispered as she reached up and held his face in her hands.
Their next kiss was a culmination of feelings they had each been holding back. But that night, they flowed like a flood, each one needing the other to feel what they couldn't hold back any longer.
Breaking away breathlessly, she said, “I love you so much. I still can’t believe this is my life. That we’ve found a way to meld our lives together.”
“I love you too. And you should understand by now that I’ll do anything to have you in my life. No more misunderstandings. No more assumptions.”
“I agree, Alex. Only truth and openness. I’m not afraid to tell you what I need.”
Leaning his head in his hands as his elbow perched on his knee, his eyes lit up with amusement.
“I know! You didn’t have a problem putting me in my place a few weeks ago.”
“Hey! I told you I was sorry about that. I didn’t know I’d forgotten to take my phone off ‘do not disturb’ when I was working on the book..”
Putting his hand around her waist and pulling her into his lap so quickly she yelped, he countered, “You don’t need to ever explain that you need time alone to work, cara mia.”
Rubbing her hand over his chest, she said, “Thanks again for understanding.”
“Always. Now let me feed you.”
Whatever Alex was dealing with earlier, Aria felt confident it had been resolved.
And when he drew her into his arms after turning on what they now called ‘their song’, Aria relaxed into his embrace as they danced around the kitchen in between warming up the food.
As Etta James serenaded them in the background, Aria felt an overwhelming feeling of peace settle into her heart as she sang along to At Last.