“Why don’t you take a few days off? Then we can work from there to see what’s next. Okay?”
She saw how his shoulders relaxed, making her do the same.
Nodding his agreement, he quietly answered, “Okay.” He smiled cautiously and added, “Thanks, you know, for not throwing your plate of food at me.”
Aria laughed lightly, letting the tension bleed from her body completely. Picking up her fork and sliding her plate back in front of her, she said, “I’d never waste a good plate of butter chicken.”
Nodding, Gio placed his plate in front of him, alternating between eating and looking at her. She hoped her jovial remark had eased the tension some.
They finished quickly, neither exchanging more than awkward small talk about the office. He paid the bill and walked her to the entrance.
“Thank you, Aria. I do want to stay with Libri Stellari. I love what I do. I’ve made Positano home, you know?”
“I know. I want that too. Finish up today and I’ll see you next week,” she answered. “See you back at the office.”
The anxiety of their conversation had mostly dissipated, and she strangely felt grateful that it had finally happened. They both knew where they stood, and she would do everything possible to help them salvage their relationship. As she walked past the shop windows, she caught sight of Gio watching her walk away.
In another life, the idea of that conversation going a different way would have been a possibility. No doubt, she was flattered. But right now, in the life that she had left to live, she knew she could never settle for less than true love.
A blush bloomed on her face as she remembered the way it felt when Alex touched her hand. Her hand instinctively went to her cheek.
Yes, she wanted the fairytale. The love story.
The kind people wrote books about.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Alex,I think we mentioned it to you, but we're having a semi-formal event tomorrow night,” Sofia said when she joined him in their father’s office. “We'd love for you to be there since you're in town.”
“You did but I tuned you out,” Alex said with a sheepish look as he spun the chair he was sitting in to face her.
“Come on, now. Wearing a suit for one night won’t hurt you. It’s a big night for us. We’re celebrating hitting some important milestones. Our biggest clients have been invited as well as the staff and their families. It’s not a huge event, but an important one,” Leonardo said as leaned on his desk, finishing his coffee.
Her hands in prayer pose in front of her, Sofia asked with puppy dog eyes. “Pleeeease, Alex?”
“Yeah, yeah I’ll come,” he said, pretending to be put out. “Can I bring someone?” Alex asked as he looked up at his dad.
“You mean, can you bring, Aria?” Leonardo said with a head tilt. Sofia laughed loudly. “Yes, of course. I'd love to meet her again. Sofia said I had when they were in school, but I don’t remember.”
Alex left the office quickly to call Aria since it was such short notice. He thought about Gio and shrugged.
All is fair in love and war.
He walked into the empty break room a few doors down, thankful for the privacy.
“Hey, Alex,” Aria said cheerfully when she answered.
“Hey. Sorry to call while you’re working, but Sofia and my dad reminded me of an event they’re having for Aura tomorrow night. I know it’s short notice. But I was hoping you might like to come with me.”
Sofia passed by the open door and heard what Alex had said and yelled, “Tell her there’s a DJ. Aria loves to dance if I remember right.”
She laughed as Alex’s face fell.
He recovered when he heard Aria say, “Oh wow! I haven’t been dancing in years. Yes, I’d love to come. Is it fancy?”
Grimacing, Alex answered, “Unfortunately, yes. I’ve been told I need a suit. It’s semi-formal, but wear anything you’d like.
“No, no. I have a dress that should work.”
