“I, I don’t know why I just said that. It’s a line fromPride and Prejudice?—”
“I know.”
“And I really must be nervous if my brain isn’t—What do you mean you know? Have you seen the movie?” she asked, her eyebrows tipped inward.
Leaning toward her, he answered, “If you promise never to tell this to another living soul, I’ll admit this to only you. Yes, I did. You made it sound worth my time to watch. Of course, right afterward, I had to follow it up with an old Rambo movie. Just to keep things balanced.”
Aria laughed loudly and saw joy register on his face.
“I guess we’re both a little nervous. But we’re not strangers, Aria. I’ll relax if you will,” he said, calling a truce and holding his hand out. “Hi. I’m Alex.”
Ducking her head down and chuckling, Aria allowed him to take her hand in his, gently shaking it.
“Aria,” she answered, pointing to herself with her other hand.
Pouring the dressing on the colorful salad of mixed greens, red and yellow cherry tomatoes and peppers, Aria motioned for them to move to the table.
Alex grabbed the wooden salad bowl while Aria dished out a healthy serving of pasta in a large serving bowl.
Once seated, they fell into comfortable conversation as they ate.
“I like your playlist. Jazz, Motown, indie rock. Yours seems to be as eclectic as mine.”
“I had an American friend in college who introduced me to her favorites, and I’ve come to love them. If you’re here long enough, you’ll hear some Beethoven and Andrea Bocelli, maybe even some boy bands,” she said making them both laugh. “Yeah, I guess you could say it's very eclectic.
“I'd actually love to hear about your travels. I'm so jealous. I’ve dreamed of traveling the world from the time I was little, but I've only been to Mani in Greece. I wanted to see its old-world charm. Sometimes I think I was born an old soul.” Aria served Alex more pasta when he started to reach for the serving utensils.
“Oh, I’ve been there. I went to university in Athens. Greece is such an amazing country. I have to admit, seeing the world has changed me in so many ways. I learned so much about myself. It’s hard to describe. Each country, city and village were idyllic, but it’s the people who have had the most effect on me. So, how about you? If you could go anywhere right now, where would you go first?” asked Alex as he poured them each more wine.
“South Africa,” Aria answered without hesitation.
“Really?I've been to several countries in Northern Africa, but I’ve actually never been there. Why South Africa, if you don't mind me asking?” he asked, tilting his head.
“I want to see an albatross. They regularly fly to the South African waters to feed,” Aria said with a faraway look. “I’ve been fascinated with them since I was twelve. I did an essay on them for school. The idea that they can ride on the wind for months at a time, passing through storms, then coming home to mate. I don’t know, there’s just something magical about them,” she answered, her wine glass forgotten as it dangled from her fingers.
Alex looked at her, surprised. “An albatross? Wow. That’s, um, amazing.” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“I guess you weren’t expecting that, huh?” she asked in amusement, not quite able to interpret his response. “But it's not the only place I want to see. I have a long list of places around the world that fascinate me.”
“I’ve never seen an albatross, but I’m very familiar with them, actually,” Alex answered but didn’t explain.
Feeling more relaxed, she opened up a little more. “And my other dream is to write novels. I’ve been writing all my life, but I’ve never finished any of my stories, much less gotten them published. My friends say I need to start focusing on that instead of publishing everyone else’s books.”
Alex put down his fork and wiped his mouth with his napkin. His voice lowered, making her look at him again.
“I know how much you love reading, so if you want to be a writer, go for it! I, for one, would be the first in line to read your novels. As for seeing an albatross, plan your trip. Make it happen, Aria. If either of those dreams are important to you, don’t let anything keep you from making it happen.”
Aria wasn’t sure how to respond as she moved her plate away from her.
“That means a lot. Thanks, Alex. And, how do you know that I love reading?”
His expression changed like he’d been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
“You own a publishing house. Stands to reason that you love reading, right?”
Aria shrugged and asked if he wanted any more pasta or salad.
“Aria, that was delicious. But I have to stop myself at seconds.”
