As the pasta cooked,Aria recounted the conversations she and Alex had during the course of the day. He was funny and sweet, making everyone around him feel at ease. Watching him as he focused on the shoot made her wonder what it would be like to see him in his real environment.
Stirring the seasoned chicken in the sauté pan, she was glad that she chose a well-practiced dish for dinner. Her chicken pesto pasta was a weekly staple because of its simplicity.
Cooking for one was something she had to adapt to after losing Nicholas. Putting the sobering thought aside, she loved that fact that tonight she would be able to cook for two again. Even if it was just for a friend.
Her phone rang, pulling her out of her thoughts as she wiped her hands on a dish towel to accept the incoming video call. Seeing Corinna's face, she panicked, remembering she hadn't told her yet that she was having Alex over.
“Hey, hey lady. How's it going? Tell me about the shoot,” Corinna said when Aria accepted the call.
“Hey, love. I'm good. The shoot was amazing but the day in general was kinda weird,” Aria answered, squinting to see Corinna on her knees hunting for something in her closet. “What are you doing?”
“Found ‘em!” Corinna yelled victoriously, holding up a pair of mauve pumps.
“Ah, you have court in the morning, then. Those your new lucky shoes?”
“You know it. Now tell me everything. You have my undivided attention,” Corinna said as he pushed the hair off her face and sat on her bed.
Aria recounted the day, including the flowers Alex had sent the day before and the weird interaction with Gio after the shoot.
“I don’t know what Gio was thinking,” Aria said, her voice rising up an octave. “But watching Alex work was so satisfying.”
“I’ll bet it was.”
“Corinna!”
Snickering, Corinna added, “Listen, all I know is that he’s attracted to you. Your radar must be broken if you can’t see it. But let’s get back to Gio first. Okay, so, he finally made a moveandin front of Alex. Doesn’t surprise me. That only confirms what I, or anyone with eyes, can see. He felt threatened because it’s evident how Alex sees you. Did you ask Gio about it?”
“No, I didn't. It was too awkward. And as for Alex, he doesn't live here year-round. The night at the gallery, Sofia made it sound like he’s hardly ever home. He’s a traveler, Corinna. His job demands it of him. Whatever you think you saw happening between us, it’s going nowhere,” Aria said. “He only sees me as a friend.”
“Well, let's look at the facts, shall we? After, what ten, twelve years, he runs into you at the cafe, accidentally kisses you, then sees you at the gallery and nearly falls over his tongue at the very sight of you. Poor man couldn't string asentence together. Does a photoshoot that is so beneath him it's insane, sends you flowers and gives you the sweetest compliments. Yeah, you're right. You've convinced me. He's not interested in you at all,” she said sarcastically.
Aria rolled her eyes and answered, “The kiss was just that, an accident, he was flustered at the gallery because it’s been a long time, I think. The flowers were a friendly gesture according to his note, and the shoot was a favor for a friend. You’re only seeing what you want to see.”
Aria leaned the phone against her canister on the counter and grabbed her wooden cutting board. Rolling the fresh basil into a log, she slowly sliced it into pieces resembling confetti, just like her mom had taught her years ago.
“Anyway, he's coming over for dinner tonight, so I'll see how it goes, I guess,” Aria said quietly, hoping Corinna wouldn’t lose her mind.
Corinna went out of view for a moment and Aria lost sight of her. She was pretty sure she had dropped her phone.
“Are you seriously just telling me this now? Do I have time to bring you some clothes?”
“Hey, I can dress myself, you know. It's too late. He will be here in forty minutes. Let me show what I chose,” she said, trying to calm Corinna’s dramatics and attempting to keep her friend from breaking traffic laws.
Too late. Aria could hear Corinna grabbing keys.
“I can still make it if I hurry. Shoot. I have to find something for you to wear first,” Corinna said, backtracking to her closet.
“No! Listen to me. Stop. I bought something. Give me a minute to turn off the stove and go get it.”
Corinna huffed but obeyed. Aria grabbed the blue, floral print maxi dress from her closet and held it up to the phone.
“Well, well, well, what do we have here? I love it! The blue brings out your hazel eyes. Went shopping, I see,” Corinna teased.
Aria rolled her eyes. “You were the one who told me I needed to update my wardrobe. Do you think it's too much?”
“No. You look like the Aria I knew years ago. Alex will love it.”
“I don't want Alex to love it. I just wanted to feel comfortable, that's all,” Aria corrected.
