Guilt as she voiced what she never dared before.
Aria felt the tremor start in her hands and spread to her whole body as the tears stung her eyes, but she held them back. She was so tired of crying.
“I don’t want to keep running the publishing house.”
As the words spilled out, she let that truth settle into her heart.
She wanted to write. Travel. Experience life, not sit at a desk every day. The knot in her stomach returned just thinking about it.
Laying down on the blanket and closing her eyes, she fought with the guilt that was always present.
Think about Nicholas. Think about what he would want me to do.
Aria let those early years play like a movie in her mind.
They had been married for close to six wonderful years. He was the first man who made her feel beautiful, desired, strong, and confident. He always made sure she felt safe and secure.
They had been gloriously in love. In her mind, when they met he was so out of her league. She couldn't believe that he would ever be interested in her. Her, a shy daydreamer, always lost in a book. Him, a confident, popular guy loved by all. She had a few close friends in school, but Nicholas knew everyone. If there was ever an “opposites attract” story, theirs was it.
Aria smiled as she remembered the day he walked up to her in school, sat down next to her in the courtyard, and introduced himself.
She had been rendered speechless at the sight of the tall, handsome fifth-year student she’d seen around school, always in the middle of a group. Every girl in school was attracted to him.
She laughed at the memory of him taking her gently by the hand and asking her to come with him to Cena Dei Cento Giorni. She had been so nervous, her hands had trembled. She remembered finally finding her voice and answering softly, “I didn’t think you even knew who I was until about a minute ago.”
“I’ve asked about you, Aria, and I really would like to get to know you better,” he had said, his eyes shining as he stared at her.
“Yes, I’d like that very much.”
They were so young, but she soon found herself falling in love with the boy who had swept her off her feet. When she shared with him her desire to write books about love and the adventures she dreamed of having one day, he encouraged her to follow her dreams. And she did, filling journal after journal all through school.
But she wrote less and less during her last few years in college. The class load was demanding, and it was hard enough just to find time for each other. After that, getting married and “adulting” ended any free time she had for writing.
Aria sat up when she heard the laughter of a child nearby. She wiped a strand of hair from her face as she watched a little girl run in and out of the surf, her mother chasing close behind.
One of her biggest regrets was their decision to delay having children until their business was established. When she lost Nicholas, dreams of a family died with him as well.
Looking around at the families gathering their things in the waning sunlight of the late afternoon, Aria did the same. When she picked up her journal, she let her hands smooth over the words she had written.
Aria knew she couldn’t keep shoving down the things she didn’t want to deal with. These feelings were pushing their way to the surface and the sooner she dealt with them, the sooner she could start to heal.
She had to find a way to honor Nicholas’ dreams and memories but still be true to herself. To her dreams, her desires. She hadn’t even thought it was possible until...
Until what?
Until Alex Rossi held her in his arms, his kiss bringing her back to life.
She turned to look at the waves once more as a thought lingered.
Was it his sudden reappearance in her life that had unlocked the words in her heart?
Chapter Sixteen
Alex lookedaround the vibrantly painted restaurant for Sofia. The smell of fresh pita being baked in the kitchen along with verdant spices hung in the air like a cloud. Sunday lunch guests filled the popular Mediterranean eatery that Sofia had chosen.
When he told the hostess that he was meeting someone, he walked past her and scanned the large room for his sister.
“Alex, over here,” Sofia said. When he spotted her, an unexpected guest was waiting for him.
