She marveled at how quickly Alex set up his equipment, and with a few suggestions to Michael, he was taking photo after photo. Adjusting his lenses from full body shots to closeups, Alex moved Michael around a few times to incorporatedifferent natural backgrounds, so he had more choices. Michael had become more comfortable after a while and seemed to enjoy the experience.
Aria and Thomas did their best to keep people from stepping into the shots and before long, Alex announced that he had gotten some great photos he believed they would all be happy with.
“You have to tell me how you got Alex Rossi to do this shoot, Aria,” Thomas said as Alex packed up his equipment.
“He’s actually a friend.”
“I’m impressed,” he answered as he watched Alex and Michael talking while walking up to them.
“Ready?” Alex asked as he looked at Aria who nodded her head with a grateful expression.
She felt heat skate up her neck when, with his warm hand at the small of her back, he guided her through the sand toward the car.
The four of them shook as much of the sand out of their shoes as they could as they shook hands.
“Aria, Alex, thank you again for a great experience. I can’t wait to see how they turn out,” Michael said as he and Thomas said their goodbyes.
When they pulled into the Libri Stellari parking area, Aria looked over.
“Would you like to come up for a cup of coffee? I have a little more time before my next meeting.”
“I’d love that, thank you.”
They talked for the few minutes it took them in the elevator about how well the shoot had gone. They were still conversating when they entered the foyer of the office.
Luna met them at the entrance, needing Aria’s signature on a form. When Aria glanced up from the papers in her hand, Gio was walking toward them. His face held an expression she couldn’t read.
“Hey, Gio. I'm glad you’re still here so I can introduce you two. Gio, this is my friend, Alex. Alex, Gio. He’s our art director, and a brilliant one at that.”
“Alex, nice to meet any friend of Aria's. How was the shoot?” Gio asked, shaking Alex's hand vigorously.
He stood right next to Aria as she looked at him curiously.
“Nice to meet you too, Gio. I think it went well. Michael communicated clearly what he wanted and hopefully I was able to make that happen.”
Alex kept his eye contact.
“It was amazing, Alex,” cooed Natalia, who had now joined them. “I saw some of the shots come through the system. They’re perfect.”
Pivoting, Gio put his arm around Aria's shoulder. “I'm sure you helped make it a success, Aria.”
Aria’s eyebrows sprung up. She pulled back from the close proximity, causing Gio’s arm to fall away. He nervously cleared his throat.
Aria slid her eyes up toward Alex in time to see his jaw clench. Natalia gave them both a confused look.
“Ah... Alex, would you like a cup of coffee?”
“If it’s no trouble, Natalia. Thank you.”
She walked away but looked back at Aria with a smirk.
Aria felt like she was caught in the middle of an unspoken standoff. “Alex, why don’t we go into my office?”
She led the way, giving Gio a look to let him know they needed to talk later. Both men silently nodded to one another as Gio walked away.
Closing the door, Alex's face lit up when he saw the flowers on her desk.
“I'm so glad you liked the flowers, Aria.”
