They walked a few feet into the venue, but Aria stopped again to try and steady her breath, her anxiety ratcheting up. All she wanted to do was go home, get in her pajamas, and continue reading the romance novel she had bought a few days before. Being in this uncomfortable situation made her think of her early school days. Some things never changed.
Tapping Aria’s hand, Corinna gave her the comfort she needed.
“Breathe, girl. We can wait here until you feel like you’re ready to move inside,” Corinna said quietly. “I know this hard and I’m so proud of you. But if you want to leave at any point, I’ll be right behind you.”
Nodding her head and taking a deep breath, Aria answered, “Thanks, babe. Just need another minute.”
While she took some calming breaths, Corinna stopped to talk to a colleague from the law office. She had her back turned to Aria but stayed close.
Aria’s eyes stopped roaming when they landed on a handsome man in black who was walking toward her, talking, and laughing with two other men.
When he turned toward her, his eyes widened. He stared as if dumbstruck, his head leaning forward, his eyebrows reaching high. The noise of the music seemed to disappear; the hum of conversation drowned out.
Wait. It couldn’t be.
The man took a few steps forward and her name left his lips in a whisper, almost like a prayer.
“Aria?”
One of the other men whipped his head around to stare at her as well while a look of shock and recognition slowly crossed his face. The third man stood still, watching the strange interaction in amused confusion.
Aria stepped away from Corinna, tilting her head to the left. Her eyes widened in shock, her mouth open in a silent gasp.
The cafe. Was that the gorgeous man from the cafe?
She felt like she was going to hyperventilate.
The memory of that kiss, the way she felt in his arms, the emotions that erupted in that quick interaction were all too much for her to comprehend.
He was here. The man who had disrupted everything was now standing in front of her calling her by name.
Chapter Ten
Alex stood there,stunned speechless, his heart beating against his ribs violently. There she was, standing in front of him. Again. A vision in red.
As his gaze locked on the hazel-eyed woman, he vaguely registered Enzo saying behind him, “You gotta be kidding me,” but he couldn't be sure. His heartbeat was so loud, it drowned out all sounds around him.
“A-Aria?” he stuttered as he stood rooted to the spot, once again hearing her name leave his lips.
Once again, he questioned his reality. Maybe it was a mirage. Maybe it was fate. Twice in two days. Impossible. He was afraid to look away as if she might disappear again.
Adrian stepped up to him and whispered, “If she’s who I think she is, brother, tell her your name.”
Alex blinked and tried to recover as he took a step toward her. There were only about twenty feet between them, but he had to get closer.
The look on Aria’s face was one of total confusion. She stared at him with pinched eyebrows like she was trying to put together a puzzle. Her mouth opened and closed, but no words came out.
He cleared his throat softly, still convinced she didn’t recognize him.
Say something, idiot!
Placing both hands on his chest, he tapped it twice and croaked out, “Alex. Alex Rossi.”
He groaned inwardly. He could almost hear Sofia calling him her favorite name. He truly felt like an idiot at that point.
“Alex?” Aria asked, her squinted eyes darting around his face.
“Alex Rossi. Yes.” His eyes were hopeful, his voice tight.
