“Thank you.” She sniffled as she wiped her nose with the cotton cloth that smelled of sandalwood. “I think I’ll go find the restroom and freshen up.”
“You’re not going to run away again, are you? You will come back out eventually, right?” he teased.
Grinning, she nodded.
“I promise.”
Chapter Twelve
When Corinna sawAria make her way through the lingering crowd and head to the back of the venue, she followed.
“I’m so sorry, Aria. I, I guess I just assumed that they knew. You all seemed to have history together. You and I have never talked about who might know about what happened to Nicholas from school.”
“It’s fine, love. I’m alright. I’m glad they know. Alex was great about it and now that I know they live here too, we will probably see each other again. It would’ve been awkward if I didn’t mention it.”
Aria checked her face in the mirror, happy to see that her waterproof mascara held up its end of the bargain.
“Wanna leave? We can go right now,” Corinna asked as she watched her in the mirror, rubbing her back.
Aria answered, “No, let’s stay a little longer. There was a painting I wanted to get a better look at before all the waterworks started. I’d like to spend a little more time with Sofia again.”
Nodding, Corinna took her hand and said, “Alex is very nice. And you owe me an explanation, little miss.”
Blowing out a gust of air through her mouth, Aria answered, “Yes, I guess I do but on the way home. And Corinna. Behave until then.”
Her friend put her hands up in surrender, but Aria knew better than to relax.
They walked back out, Aria careful not to walk too quickly in the heels that were starting to pinch her toes. When Sofia returned, she pulled Aria into a hug and said, “I’m so sorry. I know this isn’t the time or place. Let’s talk another time, okay?”
“Thanks, Sofia. Yeah, another time,” Aria said softly, her voice steady and strong again. “Okay, I’m going to circle back to a painting we passed.”
“Lead the way. We will stay close if you need anything,” Corinna said, gesturing for Aria to pass as Sofia followed.
She scanned the room for a painting that had caught her eye earlier. Walking up to it and leaning in for a closer look, she could see that Adrian had signed it “Tranquility”. He had captured a scene from a seaside area in Positano with colorful buildings and terraces spilling over with greenery and hilltop villas. Somehow, he had even made the azure ocean waves appear to be in motion.
Noting the name again, she made plans to ask Adrian about purchasing it.
“Beautiful, isn't it?” Alex asked, drawing her out of her musings.
Aria looked up as he spoke, caught once again by his soulful eyes.
“Yes, very. It's like I'm right there, like I could walk up to one of these doors and step right in. I love how the lighting looks so real. Incredible attention to detail,” she replied, her eyes drifting back toward the art. “I'd love to live by the water in one of those colorful homes. I live in the city to be closer to my office, but I lovethe coastline.”
“Well, my cabin by the sea could be in this painting. It reminds me of it in a way, so I told Adrian I planned to buy it tonight.”
“Really? Oh, that's funny. I was thinking of buying it too. I'm sure it would be lovely in your... what did you call it? A cabin?”
Alex laughed lightly. “Yes, that's what Sofia and I call it. Actually, it was a shack, basically a dilapidated building when I bought it, but it's been renovated. I love it there. Especially being on the water. It's not much, but the view is spectacular.”
“It sounds lovely.”
Aria was about to ask him what he did for a living, but she caught sight of Corinna and Sofia talking, their heads touching as they spoke.
Narrowing her eyes at them, Aria shook her head. “They’re worse than the old ladies in my neighborhood in Rome.”
She and Alex laughed as they walked toward them.
The girls stopped whispering when Aria and Alex sidled up next to them, Enzo joining the group once more. Aria noticed that Corinna looked flustered when he did.
