“They’re very beautiful. Thank you again.”
Aria blushed when she saw the look of… what? What was the look he was giving her right now?
She tried to slow down her wildly beating heart.
Can he see it pumping through my clothes?
Is he flirting? Am I flirting?
No. Nope. Just friends, Aria. Just friends.
Luna knocked, then came in with the coffee.
“Natalia had to take a call, but she wanted me to let you know what a pleasure it was to meet you,” she said to Alex.
“Thanks so much. It was great to meet all of you.”
Aria pulled herself together when Luna closed the door. “Are you still free to come for dinner tonight?”
“Yes, I've been looking forward to it all weekend. Text me the address and what time works for you. I'm free anytime,” he answered as he sipped on his coffee.
“Great, I’ll text it to you now,” she said as she slid her phone from her purse. “Is 6:00 good for you?”
“Perfect. So, um, Gio seems like a great guy. How long has he worked at the company?” Alex asked, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly.
“A little over a year. I told him the other day I don't know what I would do without him.”
“Oh. Oh, okay. Th-that's good,” Alex stammered.
“Yes, Gio is a great friend,” Aria said.
Alex relaxed, and they spoke for a few more minutes before he said he would let her get back to work.
“See you this evening, Aria. Thank you again for the invitation,” Alex said as she walked him out of her office toward the reception area.
“See you then, Alex,” she said softly.
As soon as he left, Luna lost no time rushing into Aria’s office.
“Well, I have to say, Gio’s timing was definitely interesting.”
Aria tried not to make eye contact with her assistant. It was like facing a wild animal in its habitat.
Don’t look them in the eye. Don’t engage. Or am I supposed to lift my hands and make myself look taller?she thought as she prayed Luna would just go back to her desk.
She knew better than to think either would work. If Luna ever moved on from the publishing business, Aria knew she would excel as a spy.
“Luna,” Aria finally said, knowing she wasn’t going to leave her office.
With her hands up in surrender, Luna answered. “I’m just saying. The poor guy has been trying to get up the courage to ask you out and then tries to stake some kind of claim on you in front of Alex. Bold move, my friend. Bold move.”
Aria exhaled loudly. “I don’t know what that was about but please leave it alone, Luna. I’m begging you.”
“O-kay,” she answered in a sing-song way, making her way out of the office.
Aria rolled her eyes. Shaking her head, she rubbed her temples and tried to get some work done before going home to cook.
Chapter Nineteen
