Kissing her cheek, he asked, “When did you do this?”
“Right after I got home. I knew you wouldn’t be back for a while, but I couldn’t shake this strong feeling that I needed to go there and throw this bottle into the sea. I prayed for it to find its way to you. When did you find it?”
“This morning. When I got up, I felt drawn to the water. I walked out there, thinking of you and wondering what my next move should be. I felt something hit my foot and there it was,” Alex chuckled. “That's the reason why I came by the office. I felt like it was my sign to not give up.” Alex kissed her forehead. “I went straight to your office. When I saw you in Gio’s arms, I thought I’d lost you.”
Pulling away slightly and letting his thumb wipe away a tear that tracked down her face, she said, “It looks like something beyond ourselves has been drawing us back together.”
“Yes, it does. But know this, Aria Bianchi, I never plan to leave your side ever again,” he said as he kissed her softly.
“Never,”she answered as she leaned into his warmth. “So, you forgive me for hurting you? Alex, I wanted to tell you I loved you so badly that day, but I knew if I did, you’d never leave.”
“It brought up my trust issues for sure. I’m glad I did the project, even though I was miserable. The look on the villagers’ faces when those wells burst forth was the only joy I felt during our time apart. I kept wishing you were there with me. I need you to understand what I tried to tell you that day. I want you by my side. Always. I’m not giving up my career. I’m adjusting it. I want to take you with me to see the world, the way you’ve always dreamed. I don’t want either of us to give up our dreams. I just want our dreams to become one.”
“Is that even possible?”
“I think so,” he answered confidently as he held her hand. “I know you’ll need time to pursue getting your book published. And when you’re ready, we can go somewhere together. This love we feel is real and true. We just need to trust in it.”
“I can do that,” Aria said with hope in her eyes.
Chapter Fifty-Six
Six MonthsLater
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 Lovewas 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.”
