“I’m going, I’m going,” Luna huffed as she left the office, as petulant as a toddler.
Mr. Darcy, indeed.
Aria blew air from her lips. She had already found her Mr. Darcy once, and she knew she’d never find that again no matter how much her heart secretly longed for it.
Even if that miraculously happened one day, the fear of possibly having to experience loss once more... that was something she was certain she’d never recover from a second time.
When she did allow herself to consider the possibility of another relationship, all she could hope for was a companionable friendship with someone who shared common goals and interests. She scoffed as the dreary thought made her romantic heart ache.
Aria weighed the two options as she pretended to read the content of the folder in her hands.
Marrying a man she cared for but shared no passion with, or a life of solitude.
Both possibilities caused that longing to reappear, making Aria entertain the idea of what she might say if Gio ever did ask her out. She couldn’t deny the deep loneliness she felt.
She knew he was attracted to her, and they enjoyed each other’s company. What if he was looking for that friendly companionship, too? Could a relationship grow from that, especially with them working together? No. Surely a man like Gio wanted, deserved, more than that.
And then there was the fear of comparing another man to Nicholas. No one could live up to him and the comparison would be cruel and unfair.
Sensing someone outside of her door, she looked up and saw Gio.Speak of the devil.
When she beckoned him inside with a wave, he walked in and sat in one of the grey cushioned chairs that faced her desk, his nervousness evident. She had learned his tells over time. Her eyes moved to watch his knee bouncing like an excited kid on a pogo stick. Averting her eyes quickly, she pretended not to notice.
He nodded toward Natalia who Aria could now see was pouring more coffee at the snack bar. “She’s crazier than usual. I honestly don’t know where all that coffee goes.” Turning his attention back to her, he asked, “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, she’s a medical mystery,” Aria answered, shaking her head. “All good. We've got a situation I'm trying to work out, but it’s fine. Just frustrating. How was your meeting with the new client, Silvia?”
“It went well. Silvia knows what she wants but is having a hard time explaining it to me. I think we can make it work though.”
“You always do. I don't know what I'd do without you,” she answered with a warm smile.
Mortified, her eyes widened. She realized her statement might sound like she was flirting. Gio's eyebrows shot up as he smiled widely. Clearing her throat, she quickly clarified.
“Eh, I mean, you’re just so good at your job. The best. And, um, you’re such a good friend. I know I can depend on you.”
“Thanks,” he said, his face wiped of the temporary joy it held moments before as his expression visibly fell.
He squeezed the sides of the chair until his knuckles went white and he broke eye contact. “Well, I'll head to my desk and see what awaits me for the afternoon then, friend.” His tone dripped with feigned lightness.
Aria opened her mouth to say something as her chin lifted, but no words came. She watched him walk away as she let out a loud breath.
Resting her elbows on her desk with a grunt and holding her head in her hands, she whispered, “I’m making a mess of everything. I wish I knew what to do, what I wanted.”
A moment of clarity pushed a truth to the forefront of her mind.
That wasn’t true. She knew exactly what she wanted.
She wanted the impossible. She wanted to be swept off her feet. Wanted to have a man look at her with adoration again. She wanted to feel sparks, excitement, butterflies taking flight inside her. The thrill of being wooed by a man. Passion born from the belief that life would never be the same without that person in it.
She wanted what she could never have.
Frustrated, she opened her laptop and tried to concentrate on work, the clicking of the keys drowning out her anxious thoughts.
Hours later, Aria’s grumbling stomach made her glance at the large white clock on the wall. It was well after 1:00pm, and she needed to get something to eat if she would make it through the rest of the day. Fearing Gio may find out and want to bring her food, she jumped up from her desk.
Reaching for her purse, she called out to Luna, “Grabbing a bite. Be back soon.”
She needed to escape, get some fresh air, and push these romantic fantasies out of her mind.
