“Did you tell Corinna that you declined the Argentina well project?”
Alex’s face registered confusion for a second before he said, “Oh, yes, I did. The night she called me, I mentioned it.”
“But you didn’t tell me. Why?”
Alex’s jaw flexed, and he inhaled sharply, his words coming out slowly and measured.
He took her hand and said, “I was going to this weekend, but then your parents came into town. I told my agent that I wanted to stay in Positano longer than just the few weeks I was to be here. I’m not ready to get back out on the road.”
“Because of me,” Aria said flatly, her eyes glittering with unshed tears.
His eyes scanned left and right over hers as if trying to read her mind.
“Yes, but?—”
“Alex, you can’t do that. You told me early on how important that project was,” Aria said, pulling her hand away from him.
Alex grimaced, looking down at her hand lying in her lap. It took all her strength not to place her hand back in his, knowing it may be the last time she felt its warmth.
“Itisimportant. They’re looking for another photographer.”
“Alex, this project was important toyou.”
“What do you want me to say, Aria? Yes, it was important but not as important as you. The work will still be done, just with a different photographer.”
She stood up, putting distance from him as she walked toward the mantel.
Turning back to look at him, her hands wringing in front of her, she said, “I don’t want you to do that. Change your life, change your career for me. Drop out of opportunities that you wanted to be a part of. I was preparing myself for that conversation, selfishly avoiding it. I, I was caught up in this whirlwind romance we were having and didn’t stop to ask important questions. That was a mistake.”
Alex stood in front of her, gathering her in his hands but keeping enough distance so they could talk.
“Aria, you’ve turned my whole life around. I said I wouldn’t use these words again until you were ready, but I’m inlovewith you. I want to build a life with you. I’m willing to make changes so that can happen. Can’t you see that? That moment, the moment you and I shared in my house back in Rome all those years ago. That connection we felt in that moment, I’veneverfelt that with anyone else.”
Aria trembled in his arms and fought to keep from giving in and begging him to stay.
Continuing when she said nothing, Alex said, “I think I fell in love with you, back then, and I don’t think I ever got over you. I tried. I tried over the years. Even with Bella, but somewhere deep inside me, my heart decided you were the only one for me. Why would I not want to change my life to be with you, Aria?”
Shaking her head, tears streaming down her cheeks, she answered, “No, no Alex, I won’t let you do that. I loved Nicholas too, but I grew resentful of the choices we made that sacrificed my writing, my dreams. That he didn’t push me toward them, knowing it would mean giving up some of his own. He loved me, I know that with all my heart, but his dreams were more important. I hated the resentment that built, the feelings I kept hidden. It’s been difficult to admit that, but those feelings were there. I pushed them down because I loved him.
“But I can’t, Iwon’tlet you do that. You say you won’t resent me, but the time will come when you will. You’re an albatross, Alex. Your gift is what you bring to the world. Your life is out there,” she said, her voice shaking, her arms wide. “My life is small, and it's here in this tiny town. I won’t put you in a cage.”
She tried to walk away but he stopped her.
“Aria, what are you saying?” he asked, his voice breaking. “You’re my life,you’remy adventure. I love you. I know what I want because I’m holding it in my hands,” he said passionately, his grip on her arms increasing slightly. “Tell me you love me, too. We can overcome anything if I know you love me. Say the words to me, Aria.”
His eyes were wide, his face hopeful, begging.
Time seemed to stand still as her breathing matched his. Heavy emotions circled around them like birds in the air. She could hear the whir of his fan, see his eyes wild with fear, hope, feel his breath on her cheek.
“Say it, my love. Tell me you love me,” he begged.
But she couldn’t do that to him. Couldn’t bear to think of him regretting later what he gave up.
She took a deep breath in and looked him in the eye. With all the control she could muster, she said the words she knew would end them immediately.
“I, I can’t.”
Alex’s winced as if she had slapped him.
