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Rose sighs. “I get that you feel bad, but it is better for you that you break up with him now than pretend to be in love with someone when you are not. I’m glad you ended things with Ethan now; it would have hurt more in the future. And did I hear you mention a date between you and Cade?”
I laugh at her immediate switch. “Yes, you did, and honestly, it was amazing. In a way, I’m glad you made us go to the hotel together. It gave me the chance to finally tell him how I feel.” I am grateful for her role in bringing me and Cade back together.
There’s a pause on the other end of the line, and I can almost hear the gears turning in Rose’s mind as she processes my words. “Wait, what do you mean?” she asks, her tone suddenly serious. “What happened between you and Cade?”
I take a deep breath, bracing myself to share the truth with my best friend. “I told him I still love him, Rose,” I confess, feeling a rush of emotion as the weight of my confession settles over me. “And...he says he loves me too.”
There’s a beat of stunned silence before Rose lets out a squeal of excitement, her voice practically vibrating with joy. “Oh my god, Aria, that’s amazing!” she exclaims, her enthusiasm contagious even through the phone. “I’m so happy for you!”
I can’t help but smile at her reaction, feeling a glimmer of hope amidst the turmoil of emotions swirling inside me. “Thank you, Rose,” I say sincerely, feeling a surge of gratitude for her unwavering support. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
As our conversation continues, I find myself opening up to Rose in a way I hadn’t before, sharing the raw, unfiltered truth of my feelings and fears. And with each word, I feel a sense of relief wash over me, knowing that I have someone by my side who truly understands me.
Eventually, our conversation comes to an end, and we say goodnight and hang up.
As I lay in bed, surrounded by the comforting darkness of my room, my mind races with a whirlwind of emotions. The memories of our date flood my thoughts, each moment replaying in vivid detail. The way his eyes lit up when he saw me, the warmth of his smile as he held my hand, the sound of his laughter echoing in my ears—it’s as if every moment is etched into my mind, a reminder of the happiness we shared.
But amidst the joy, a nagging fear lurks in the shadows of my mind, threatening to overshadow the newfound hope blossoming within me. What if history repeats itself? What if Cade, driven by his ambition and love for the city, decides to leave me behind once again? The thought sends a shiver down my spine, the fear of heartbreak looming like a dark cloud on the horizon.
I close my eyes tightly, willing the intrusive thoughts to dissipate as I cling to the fragile hope that Cade has truly changed and that our love is strong enough to withstand any challenges that come our way. But despite my efforts, the fear lingers, gnawing at the edges of my resolve and leaving me feeling vulnerable and exposed.
With a heavy heart, I send up a silent prayer to whatever higher power may be listening, pleading for guidance and strength to navigate the uncertain path ahead. I pray that Cade doesn’t hurt me again and that our love can withstand the trials and tribulations that lie in wait.
And as the darkness of the night envelops me, I cling to the hope that tomorrow will bring clarity and reassurance, banishing the shadows of doubt that threaten to consume me. But for now, all I can do is surrender to the embrace of sleep, hoping that the dawn will bring with it a renewed sense of peace and certainty.
Chapter twelve
CADE
As the wedding festivities come to a close and the newlyweds jet off to their honeymoon, I cannot be happier for my cousin than I am right now, and I’m even more excited with the way things turned out between Aria and me, my heart still racing from the whirlwind of emotions that the past few days have brought. But amidst the chaos, one thing remains constant: my desire to spend every waking moment with Aria.
I can feel the weight of my responsibilities pressing down on me and the demands of my business calling out for my attention. But in this moment, all I can think about is being with Aria, soaking in every precious moment we have together before reality comes crashing back in.
“So, what do you want to do today?” I ask Aria as we prepare to go back to town and to our different realities, wanting to spend some very alone time before we head to town.
Aria looks up at me with a smile, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Well, we could go for a hike up to that waterfall we visited when we were younger,” she suggests, her voice filled with nostalgia.
I can’t help but grin at the idea; the memories of our first time here are flooding back to me. “That sounds perfect,” I reply, reaching out to take her hand in mine. “Let’s go.”
As we make our way through the familiar trails of the forest, I can’t help but feel a sense of peace wash over me. The worries of my business fade into the background as I focus on the simple joy of being with Aria, surrounded by the beauty of nature.
“So, tell me more about your business,” Aria says as we walk, her curiosity piqued by my earlier mention of work.
I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words to explain the complexities of my job. “Well, being the CEO of a tech company isn’t as easy as people say it is,” I begin, launching into a brief overview of my work and the challenges I face on a daily basis.
Aria listens intently, asking questions and offering words of encouragement as I speak. And as we reach the waterfall, I feel grateful for her unwavering support, even in the midst of my chaotic life.
As we sit together by the rushing water, the sound of the waterfall drowning out any other noise, I feel a sense of peace settle over me. In this moment, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the warmth of Aria’s presence, I know that everything is going to be okay.
Deep down, worry about Aria and my business lingers in the back of my mind. The decision about my future with Aria looms ever closer, and I know that I can’t keep living in denial forever. But for now, I push those thoughts aside, choosing instead to focus on the here and now and on the simple joy of being with the woman I love.
As the sun begins to set, casting long shadows across the forest, I turn to Aria and take her hand in mine. “Thank you for coming back into my life,” I say softly, my voice filled with sincerity. “I don’t think I’ve ever been happier.”
Aria smiles at me, her eyes shining with love and affection. “I feel the same way,” she replies, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m so grateful to have you back in my life, Cade.”
And as we sit together in the fading light, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the warmth of each other’s presence, I know that no matter what challenges lie ahead, as long as we have each other, we can weather any storm.
As the days pass, Aria and I find ourselves drawn to each other like magnets. With each passing moment, our bond grows stronger, our connection deepening with every shared adventure.
