“Pffft. Date? I don’t know what that is. Papa and I have been too focused on growing the business after the move for me to worry about a guy.”
“Hey, you have a life too, you know? Don’t become one of those lonely old ladies crocheting and collecting cat figurines.”
Sofia threw a cushion from the sofa at him.
“Idiot.”
He laughed loudly at her favorite name for him. He only heard it when he had pushed her too far. Pulling her up by her hand, she swayed slightly from one too many glasses of wine.
As they walked to the door, Alex was glad he decided to wait until the next night to tell her about Aria. She seemed as tired as he was, and she would have kept them both up for another hour asking for every detail. He would know more after going to the cafe in the morning anyway.
“See you tomorrow night. Lock up now and call if you need anything.”
Rolling her eyes, Sofia said, “I’m an adult, big brother. I’ve stayed alone before.”
“I know. I’m very proud of the woman you have become, little sister. Good night.”
When he heard the lock click into place, he walked to his car. He would do anything for her, his dad, and his friends. He knew his career pulled him away from them, but he would always be there for them in any way possible.
Driving to his house, Alex leaned his hand in his palm as his elbow rested on the doorjamb. The reoccurring worry that what he had done for them wasn’t enough nagged him.
Pulling up to his house, Alex looked up at the stars for a few minutes before heading inside.
Unlocking the door, his face lit up with excitement. Alex took a cursory look around, seeing the finished work of what he and Sofia first called his shack.
Dark wood accents, brightly colored tiles in the kitchen, and neutral walls throughout made this finally feel like home. He would take a closer look in the morning, but this was everything he had dreamed of, including the arched passageway from the living room that led to the bedrooms in the back.
Heading to the bedroom, Alex tossed his bags in the closet before carefully setting his camera equipment on his desk. He would deal with laundry another day. He walked into the ensuite bathroom, running his hand over the taupe-colored travertine tile he and the contractor had chosen.
Opening the large, glass-encased shower, he stepped inside and turned it on. He leaned on the shower wall, savoring the feeling of the massaging showerhead as the hot water eased away his tension.
Turning off the water, Alex dried his hair and body as he stood in front of the large mirror. Wiping away the fog from his extra-long shower, he combed out the knots in his long locks and brushed his teeth.
Alex slipped into his king-size bed with a sigh, the cool, pale blue sheets and light breeze coming in through the now-opened window drawing him further into a blissful state of sleep.
With the thoughts of Aria—who smelled like heaven—swirling through his mind, he finally drifted off.
Chapter Seven
When Alex gotup the next day, he stretched his tight back, realizing he was much more tired than he thought. His internal clock had him waking up early, not long after sunrise. He took his phone off its charger on his bedside table and saw that the cafe would be open in about an hour.
Padding out toward the kitchen, he looked around, seeing some of the details he missed the night before because of fatigue.
Running his hand along the rough lines of the rustic mantle in the living room, Alex knew his decision to use reclaimed pine was the right one. In the morning light, the brightly colored blue tiles in the kitchen were the highlight of the room, making it almost seem like you were underwater. He laughed when he remembered the dozens of choices he was given when he asked the painter for off-white walls.
His slate grey sofa was so comfortable he could easily see himself falling asleep there often, and the high-backed wing chair matched well. There were more items to buy but the essentials were in place for now. He was more comfortable with a minimalistic life anyway, but he would soon find what he needed. The house may not be filled yet, but it still felt like home.
Home.
Because his career kept him traveling, he loved the idea of having his own place of respite and putting down roots. All that was missing was someone with whom to share it.
Luckily, Adrian's exhibit wasn't until 8:00pm and Sofia would be busy, so he had time to relax and recharge. He brewed a cup of espresso on the fancy coffee maker Sofia had talked him into buying. Taking a sip, he had to admit that it was very good.
Taking his coffee with him out to the stretch of sand by the water near his house, he sat down and took in its beauty. Having a house like this near the light blue waters of the Mediterranean was a dream come true.
The smell of the salty air and the sounds of fishermen nearby cleaning their nets from their early morning catch made him sigh contentedly.
Checking his watch, he didn’t realize how long he had been sitting there. Slowing down after the heavy schedule he was used to was a welcome break, but he still wanted to stop by the cafe. He wasn’t sure whether to go in now during the late breakfast crowd or wait until later, closer to the afternoon like the day before.
