But what would happen now that they had met again? He knew this was all irrational. They each had lived separate lives for over a decade. He should just offer her friendship. But what was he to do about the ache he felt in his chest every time she was near him, as if she was a missing piece?
I really must be crazy.
Taking his phone from his pocket, he checked the time and decided he should make that phone call. Hearing her voice again was something he had been looking forward to all day.
Grabbing his cup, he walked inside and washed it out in the sink. He laid out some vegetables in a large ceramic bowl with plans to grill them along with the chicken.
He sat down on the barstool, his thoughts running through his mind at a rapid pace. Grabbing his phone, he pressed Aria's number.
“Hello?” Aria answered cheerfully.
“Hi, Aria. It’s Alex. I wanted to reach out like we spoke about. How’s your weekend going?”
“Hey, Alex. I spent the day at the beach. Hadn’t done that in a long time. How about you?”
“Just lunch with Sofia and my father. Got a few minutes to talk about the photoshoot?”
“Yeah, I just got confirmation from the author a little while ago. It's set for Tuesday at 9:00am in my office. We have an area there we can use. And he’d like some outdoor beach shots as well. Would that work for you?”
“That's perfect. I’ll see you on Tuesday morning, and I'll text you my email address for the details,” Alex replied while pacing the kitchen floor.
“Perfect. Oh, and Alex, I'd like to cook dinner for you after the shoot if you’re free, as a thank you.”
Alex pumped his hand in the air in victory but knocked over the ceramic bowl of vegetables on the counter, lunging for it right before it rolled onto the tile floor. He pressed the phone between his cheek and shoulder, praying she hadn’t heard the racket he was making.
“Ah. Never mind. Don't feel obligated, Alex. We don't have to...” she backpedaled.
“No, no,” Alex said quickly, walking into the living room and away from the danger that lurked in his kitchen.
“No, I would love to have dinner with you Aria. It's a date.”
Why did I say that?
“I mean, it's a plan.”
“Okay, great. I'll see you on Tuesday then,” she said, her tone slightly hesitant.
“Sounds great.”
“Alex, I found out on the way home from the gallery about your mom. I was waiting until you came over to ask you about it. And we can still wait until then, but I wanted to say how very sorry I was to hear this. She was always so kind.”
“She was an amazing woman. And thank you. Seems we’ve both been touched by deep loss. But I know she would have wanted me to keep going even through the pain. I want to make her proud, even now.”
A few moments later, Aria whispered, “I wish I knew what Nicholas would want me to do. I feel like I’m messing things up most days.”
His heart broke at her vulnerable words.
“Listen, Nicholas loved you. I know that for a fact. He would have wanted you to do the same thing my mom wanted for me. Keep going. Keep dreaming. Don’t give up.”
“Thank you, Alex,” she whispered. “I’ll see you on Tuesday.”
“Good night, Aria.”
Chapter Seventeen
Aria heldthe phone in her hand, going over the conversation several times. Why had she asked him that question?
His answer floated around in her head, its meaning burrowing itself deep in her heart.
