“Called it,” Sofia said smugly, happily munching on her pita.
Leonardo couldn’t hide his surprised expression. “Son, this sounds like fate. You seem pretty taken with this woman. Could it be that my wandering albatross has found love at last?”
“I don’t know,” Alex answered. “At the gallery, she told me that she married the guy from school, Nicholas.”
“Oh,” Leonardo said with concern.
Alex cleared his throat and sat up a little taller in his seat.
“She also shared that he died in a car accident a few years ago.”
Alex heard his father’s light gasp and saw his eyes soften with compassion. Both Sofia and Leonardo reached out to hold Alex’s hands, placing them on top of each one.
“Son, you need to be careful. This changes everything. Please, take my advice and tread lightly. I can hear how much you like her, and I know you would never knowingly hurt Aria, but she may not be ready for a relationship. That’s a conversation you’ll have to have, in time.”
Alex heard the murmur of voices of the other patrons around him, acutely aware of two pairs of eyes trained on him as he tried to listen to his father’s words. He had spent the entire night before going over every word Aria said.
Hearing her cry in his arms had torn him to pieces. He instantly wanted to protect her, comfort her. He couldn’t lie to himself by ignoring the way she made him feel. Like he had told the guys, there was an inexplicable draw to her.
“Thanks, Papa. I would never do anything to bring Aria pain and if it means putting my feelings aside, I’ll do it willingly. But I have no idea what to do with these strong feelings.”
“You’re the only one who can say if what you’re feeling is actually love, but it’s a powerful emotion. Sometimes it hits us like lightning. I also know you’ve been hurt badly before, so knowing you’re willing to open your heart to that possibility again does my heart good. I know you’ll do the right thing,” Leonardo said lovingly.
Alex nodded and thanked them both, carefully changing the subject to his father’s trip and what the week looked like for them at the office.
An hour later, they paid the check and hugged goodbye, making plans for their next get-together, Leonardo and Sofia still navigating moving around plans with Alex home early.
Alex followed Sofia to her car but knew she wouldn’t let the conversation go so easily.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the kiss?” she asked as he stood outside her car, her tone more concerned than irritated.
“I guess I was still processing it all. Besides, the night we had dinner I wanted to talk about what you’re going through, not me.”
“I appreciate that big brother, but this is, well, it’s big. Are you telling me you have feelings for Aria? Again?”
Hanging his head, Alex replied, “Would I sound crazy if I told you I don’t know if I ever got over her?”
Shock registered on her face as her eyes widened.
“Alex, I thought it was just puppy love. I had no idea.”
Scratching his head, Alex replied, “Honestly? Neither did I. I had no idea what to do with how I felt back then. We were kids! Meeting and falling for Bella years later led me to believe that Aria was just that. A crush. But I’d find myself comparing them.” His last sentence came out as a whisper. “I know, I know. I’m crazy.”
Putting her hand on his arm, she said, “No, not crazy. I don’t know, kind of sad. Sad that you never got the chance to find out what could have happened. And yeah, you were kids, but Aria and Nicholas found love back then. They beat the odds and got married. It’s painful to know it ended in tragedy. And I hate that you got hurt. Maybe this is your second chance.”
“Yeah. But she’s hurting, Sofia. I held her while she cried for Nicholas. For the loss of what they had. It broke something in me and now all I want to do is be with her. Shield her from this pain. But I’m scared too, scared of being hurt again.”
Sofia blew out loudly from her mouth. “I, I don’t even know what to say. Listen to Papa, though. Be her friend. Be there for her and let the rest just... happen. You never know. This could be the beginning of a beautiful love story for you both.” Her eyes lit with hope as she hugged him.
“It won’t be easy. For either of us. Trust is, trust is going to be a hard-fought battle I think, for her and for me.”
Pulling back to face him again, Sofia’s eyes now lit with fire.
“Alex Rossi, not everyone is like Bella. I know Aria and I haven’t kept in touch, but I remember the same things about her that you did. She’s one of the kindest, most beautiful souls I’ve ever met. I don’t think anyone deserves a second chance at happiness more than her. And you, you big idiot. You deserve it, too.”
Alex chuckled as he kissed his sister on the forehead.
“Thanks. Not for the idiot part but the rest of it.”
