“I, I just…” Her voice stuttered and she took in a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re killing me, Aria. Sorry for what?”
“I’m saying this wrong,” she said as she pulled away and saw the pain in his eyes.
She placed her hand on his cheek, making him inhale sharply.
“Alex, I, I really liked being with you tonight. Dancing with you. Like I said, it’s been a long time.”
Alex could feel the panic start to ease. He sighed in relief.
Huffing and laughing at the same time, he answered, “Aria, I really liked being with you too. And I’m glad I didn’t step on your feet.”
With a soft chuckle, she said, “Tell Sofia she did well.”
“So, you’re happy?” he asked.
Nodding her head, she answered, “Yeah, I’m happy. Good night.”
She whispered the last sentence and turned back to put her key in the door.
He watched her open the door, take one last look at him and slowly close it.
Rubbing the ache in his chest, he started to walk away. How could he miss her already?
Looking back at her closed door, he fought the urge to ring the doorbell and take her in his arms and kiss her.
Squelching that desire, he headed to his car, joy pulsating through him.
She liked being with me, liked dancing with me. I can work with that.
He was certain she was starting to open up to him and unless he was reading her wrong, it was in a ‘more than a friend’ way. One thing was sure. He wanted tonight’s dance to be the first of many.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Aria leanedagainst her front door as she listened for Alex's Jeep pull away. She felt euphoric and distressed at the same time.
Corinna was right. Alex cared about her and not just as a friend. Tonight further confirmed what she had been feeling.
Now it was up to her to decide what she wanted. What was she willing to give, if anything? Her heart was at stake. One wrong move would leave her devastated.
Alex hadn't confessed his feelings yet, so Aria decided she would wait for him to make the first move. But he was showing it in small ways.
And then there was the dancing. The way he held her in his strong arms, the way he looked at her. There was no sense denying it anymore. When he spoke her name while they were dancing, the guilt rose up sharply. She had to get away and the man who interrupted the dance was a welcome excuse.
Once again, she found herself breathless and bewildered in a restroom after having been in Alex’s arms.
Outwardly he was handsome, of course. But it was his heart. The way he cared for and spoke about his family, especially his mother. It just touched her deeply. His fame had not made him jaded. Instead, it opened opportunities for him to do good in the world. And it was evident, like her, his friends were more like family.
Sliding her phone from her clutch, she texted Corinna as promised.
Aria:I’m home. Had a great time. Got to slow dance with Alex
Corinna:*heart emoji* *crying emoji* How was it?
Aria:Confusing but good. Really good.
Corinna:*fire emoji* stop processing
