“Name it.”
“I need to go see Santo. Think you can hold down the fort for a week or so?”
“Everything okay with him?”
“Yes, yes, everything is good. I guess he got a little jealous when my parents came into town, and he wasn’t here,” she lied. “He’s been begging me to come for a visit. Michael’s book is moving along nicely and of course, I’m available for anything if you need me.”
“I’m happy to do that. I’ve been saying for over a year you needed to get away.”
“I appreciate that. I’ll send you my flight information once it’s settled.”
“You sure you’re good? You sound upset.”
“All good. Thanks again. You’re the best. Gotta go, another call is coming in.”
She hung up and answered the call from Corinna, one of many while she had been driving.
“Aria, are you crazy? Whereareyou? I’m losing my mind.”
“I’m so sorry. I’m fine. But I need a favor,, and I don’t have much time. I need you to find me a flight to Madrid tonight.”
“What?” Corinna yelled.
Aria hadn’t noticed that the rain had stopped, and the windshield wipers screeching on dry glass made her jump.
“I’m on my way to talk to Alex, but I need you to do this for me. I promise I’ll call you when I leave there. Tonight, Corinna. I need to leave.”
“I, I, alright, Aria. But you need to tell me what’s going on. I’ll text you the information if I find a flight. I love you.”
She pulled into the back of Alex’s house, and she could see him pacing on the pathway, wiping his wet hair from his forehead.
Has he been waiting for me in the rain?
“Love you, too,” she said absently to Corrina before ending the call.
Alex stalked toward the car, his long legs eating up the distance in seconds. He took her in his arms the second she parked and slid out.
“Please tell me what’s wrong,” he begged as he pulled away to search her face. “Why did you ask about the well project?”
She could see his distraught expression, his body tense around her, his face pulled tight in a grimace. She’d listen to what he had to say, but her mind was made up.
“Let’s go inside so we can talk,” she answered, ignoring the thundering in her chest.
He nodded once and took her by the hand. They quickly walked toward the house, the puddles on the pathway making a splashing sound as they strode.
Alex opened the door, gesturing for her to walk in first. Aria looked around at the familiar photos in his living room, noticing a new one on the coffee table.
She picked up the teak frame that held a photo of her he had taken at the photoshoot. Alex walked down the hall to his bedroom, returning with a soft towel for her.
“Sit down, cara mia. Can I get you something to drink?” he asked, handing her the towel before sitting next to her on the sofa.
She willed herself not to feel the electricity that lingered when his hand touched hers as she took the towel.
“No thanks, I just had breakfast with Corinna. My parents had to leave early this morning. There was a problem at the restaurant.”
“Sorry to hear that,” he answered, his eyes not leaving her face. “Please talk to me.”
Aria dabbed the condensation from her face before wiping the towel over her arms, using the time to solidify her resolve.
