Alex listened to Sofia and Aria, their attention thankfully on the art pieces on the wall. He walked on ahead a few steps so the ladies could talk without him hovering, ignoring Enzo’s constant winking.
“Aria, you were the best class partner back then. I got all A’s in English class because of you. What was the book that we did the mini play on for Mrs. DeLuca’s class?” Sofia asked.
“Oh gosh, that would have been the end of our third year, right?”
“Pride and Prejudice,” Alex said nonchalantly as he stopped to look at one of the paintings.
Sensing that their conversation had stopped abruptly, he turned back to look at them, understanding flooding his brain.
Oh, no. What did I just do? Idiot!
Huffing out a breath, Sofia asked, “How in the world would you remember that?”
Eyes wide, embarrassment creeping in, he mumbled, “I, ah, well, I may be wrong. I’m not completely sure.” He turned back around, praying the conversation would end there.
“No, no, you’re right, Alex. It was Pride and Prejudice. I remember because it’s always been my favorite,” Aria said, her voice lowering on the last sentence.
He wanted to yell out, “I know”, just like Mr. Darcy did in Aria’s favorite movie, a fact he’d never admit to knowing. She had mentioned it a dozen times when they were working on that project. He just happened to overhear her by accident.
Yeah, keep telling yourself that.
“I don’t think I’ve ever thanked you for how sweet you were back then. Always willing to give us a ride to get supplies. You were a great big brother. Probably still are,” Aria said, blushing shyly at the admission.
Alex’s heart soared. “I loved helping you guys. I mean Sofia. And you. I never minded at all.”
“No, he sure didn’t,” Enzo mumbled. Alex was grateful when Adrian maneuvered his nuisance of a friend forward.
Sofia placed her hand on her heart as her eyes softened, looking like she might cry. Corinna nodded with a knowing smirk.Aria gave her friend the side eye and walked to the next painting.
Falling behind the group, Alex saw when Enzo sidled up to him and started playing an imaginary violin, making Alex mouth, “I’ll punch you.”
Chapter Eleven
“Well,I hope you all enjoy the rest of the exhibit. I’ll have to slip away now and play the dutiful host. But I’ll catch up with you later,” Adrian said as he walked away, giving Alex a thumbs up.
Aria tried to focus on the mesmerizing paintings and animated conversation, but Alex’s proximity made her nerve endings fire every time he looked at her. She was grateful that he hadn’t mentioned anything to the group about the kiss, especially since she hadn’t had a chance to tell the girls yet.
She still couldn’t believe they met again so soon. And to find out that he was Sofia’s brother.
What. In. The. World?
Of course, she knew exactly who he was now, but she would have never known him to be the tall, skinny guy from Nicholas’ class. When he introduced himself, it was on the edge of her memory, but it wasn’t until Sofia came in that she put it all together. Corinna was right. Alex didn’t look like that in school. The long hair, full beard, muscular build. She never would have recognized him.
Standing amid these people from school made her think of Nicholas and pain struck out of nowhere. She suddenly felt like she had been gut-punched.
She looked around for Corinna, but she was too far away to signal her distress.
Alex was talking to Enzo when Aria’s pained eyes met his. He frowned, and excusing himself, quickly walked to where she was standing. People were lightly nudging her as the space had become congested. He took her by the elbow, bringing her away from the crowd.
“We’ll be right back,” he called over his shoulder to them. “Can I get you something to drink? Are you alright? Here, take a seat,” he said with worry etched on his face when they reached the bar across the room.
She took a sharp breath in and nodded.
“Just some water, please.”
Getting the bartender’s attention, he brought the bottle to her and opened it.
Aria took it in trembling hands and drank a few sips, letting the cold liquid slide down her dry throat.
