After hesitating for another moment, Alex decided to leave then, hoping the possible lull in business would mean success in speaking to the lady he still assumed was the owner. He knew it might be a waste of time, but he couldn’t seem to convince himself otherwise.
“Okay, I’ll go in, look around, and see what happens.” He sounded like a football coach giving out orders to his team.
Taking one last look at the blue skies and even bluer water, Alex stood up and took a deep breath.
Yeah, I would love to share this with someone special one day.
Walking inside, he set the lemon-printed cup in the sink. He made a mental note to thank Sofia for the set of them she left as a housewarming gift. He took another minute to look around his kitchen.
He loved the open concept which allowed him to see into his living room from the kitchen. He could imagine dinner with the guys or his dad and Sofia, and the thought made him happy.
Walking along the narrow hallway to his bedroom, Alex went into his closet to get dressed. He chose a white linen shirt and khaki shorts, pulling his long hair into a half ponytail to keep at least some of it out of his eyes.
Locking the front door and heading to the car, Alex walked down the long pathway that led to the short driveway. Thinking how great it would be to start a garden, he sent a quick reminder to himself for later.
After he arrived in town, he pulled his car into a parking spot near Susanna’s. Alex jogged to the cafe but slowed down as he approached the door, careful not to repeat the previous day’s mishap. Although, if he ran into Aria again that way, it would be fine by him.
Inside, conversations were loud and joyful as the patrons ate and shared their meals at the tables. Alex smirked at the obvious tourists trying to order the correct dishes from the menu.
He waited until the line at the counter slowed down, grateful to see the same older woman from the day before. She was flanked by a gruff-looking man he assumed was her husband by their demeanor.
“Buongiorno,” the cheerful woman cooed as Alex made his way up to the counter. “What can I get for you today,” she asked with a sly expression.
Feeling hopeful that she remembered him, he answered, “Buongiorno. Ah, I’ll have a few plain cornettos, please. I will take them with me, though.”
Alex went to ask her his questions, but she tapped his hand and told him she would bring his order to him soon. Not wanting to argue, he nodded and headed to a bench by the wide windows, out of the way of the busy counter area.
A few minutes later, the woman walked up to him and with a curious expression, placing the white bag in his hands.
“Thank you so much. I, uh, I wanted to ask you something if I can.”
He could see the wide grin cross her face. Her eyes flicked up toward the front counter again where the man from earlier stood with his hands on his hips, his stern look still in place.
“Of course,” she answered as if she had been expecting the conversation.
Trying to avoid the heavy glare of the man, he turned to face her fully and said, “I was here yesterday afternoon. When I was about to leave, I ran into an old friend, well, quite literally. I caught her before she fell but then recognized her from our school days and I’d love to find her again.”
“You mean Aria,” she said with an expression that made Alex unsure whether she was happy or angry at the question.
He heard the man call for her from the front, but she waved her hand in his direction without taking her eyes off Alex.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Alex sat up in his seat and said excitedly, “Yes, yes, Aria. I was hoping you might know how I can get in touch with her.”
“She didn’t seem to know you by the way she ran away.”
Alex felt the conversation was getting away from him, so he went with the truth.
“It’s been many years since we’ve seen each other, so yes, she may not have recognized me. But we were friends back in school. She was… it’s just very important that I get a chance to speak with her again. I had to leave before I got to speak to her.”
He spoke softly, hoping to convince her that he was safe.
“Please. My name is Alex Rossi. I promise I mean her no harm. Would you help me?”
“Aria is a very special woman. She is so sweet but there’s a sadness that lives in her eyes. I don’t know why, and I would do anything to help her.”
“That is exactly the girl I remember from school. She’s unique and yes, very special and generous to a fault.”
“I can see you’re sincere, but I don’t know how to get in touch with her. But she eats here often.”
