“Thank you, Alex. I, I needed some air. I’m not used to crowds. They make me edgy. My nights are mostly spent alone with whatever book I’m reading,” she said, trying to sound lighter than she felt.
“Or with Mr. Darcy?” he asked playfully. She chuckled and nodded again.
“Yes, and with Mr. Darcy. You remembered.” She wasn’t sure what his expression meant but it was soft and genuine.
Looking at him now almost eye to eye from her seated position, she said, “It’s been a long time, Alex.”
“Yes, it has been. Almost thirteen years. I couldn’t believe it when I saw itwas you yesterday.”
“Seeing all of us together again feels like our old school days. I mean you and Nicholas were older...” She winced when she spoke his name out loud.
He silently searched her eyes, making her grateful for the reprieve, but she couldn’t help wondering if he knew.
Swallowing hard, she asked, “Do, do you know what happened?”
Alex’s expression softened to one of compassion. Maybe he did know but hadn’t asked her about him in a public setting.
“Know what, Aria?”
I guess he doesn’t.
Not sure how to proceed, she opened her mouth to speak but just then, Sofia and Corinna joined them. Enzo had gone to look for Adrian, but Aria could see that Sofia’s face had a strange expression. What was it? Ah, yes. She had seen it in the eyes of so many over the last three years.
Sympathy. Pity.
Corinna mouthed “sorry” and it dawned on her that she must have told Sofia about Nicholas.
Alex turned to look at the two women who suddenly decided they needed to head in the other direction.
“Any idea what that’s about?” he asked.
“I think I do. Could we go somewhere a little less crowded? I think I could use some air.”
He immediately helped her down from the tall barstool and led her outside, his hand on her lower back. When she felt the chilling night air and rubbed her arms, he took off his jacket and slipped it on her shoulders, adjusting it until she was covered.
“Alex, I know you’ll find out when you leave tonight. I’m pretty sure Corinna must have said something to Sofia. My guess is she thought she knew since we were all schoolmates before she joined our class.”
“What is it, Aria?”
“You probably know that Nicholas and I dated in school. We, um, we got married not long after I joined him at the university.” She took a deep breath in and could have sworn he did as well, but he kept eye contact. She planned to tell him the abbreviated version of their story.
“We started a publishing house when I graduated, Libri Stellari.” She took another deep breath in before continuing. “But I’m running it now. Alone.”
“Alone,” he repeated, his eyes darting between hers.
“We lost him, in, in a car accident almost three years ago.” Her voice cracked as she spoke the last sentence. Every time she had to tell that story, it was as if it was the first time.
Alex’s eyes widened, and before she knew what was happening, he had wrapped his strong arms around her shoulders and pulled her in tight.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” he whispered into her hair as she wept. Rubbing her back in a soothing pattern, he said nothing else but didn’t relent his hold on her.
When she finally managed to collect herself, he took out a handkerchief from his pocket for her to use.
Laughing as she wiped her tears, she said, “Very old-fashioned of you, Alex Rossi.”
He smiled genuinely and answered, “I learned from all those Jane Austen movies you and Sofia watched.” The words made her laugh even louder.
Surely, he was joking.
