“Oh, there are too many responsibilities running the publishing house to go off on any adventures. Butsometimes I do dream of leaving it all behind and getting on a plane. To be free to write and travel.”
“You can still have all those things, you know that right? Start by taking a few weeks off and pursuing them. Explore, get lost in some faraway place.”
“That sounds like a dream, Alex, but I can’t. People are relying on me. And I owe it to Nicholas to keep his dream alive. I can't just take off and travel but maybe, maybe one day.”
“I don't know Nicholas the way you did, obviously, but no man that loved an amazing woman like you as much as I know he must have would want you to waste your dreams on the expectations of others. Including his.”
Aria sat up straighter, her body language revealing her stress.
“I can’t. I feel the weight of what is expected of me every day.” Her hands clasp together in a wringing motion. It matched the way her heart felt as the words tumbled out of her. “Nicholas would have expected me to keep this business running. My employees have worked so hard to help me when I couldn’t get out of bed in the beginning. I owe it to them too.”
The words were pouring out of her, unwanted but unstoppable as she stood and walked away, desperately trying to harness the powerful feelings now being unleashed.
Alex stood up quickly in front of her and pulled her into his chest, holding her tight, whispering in her ear, “It's okay. Let go, Aria. You don't have to be strong all the time.”
His words released a dam in her, making her cry even more.
Why am I crying again in front of this man?
Her arms reached up and clasped together around his neck, letting his strength, his warmth, envelope her as she laid her head on his chest. His arms wrapped tighter around her waist, his head nestled in her hair. It was as if he knew that she didn’t need words at that point. She just needed to be held. It had been so long since she’d felt this and until that moment, didn’t know how much she had missed it.
Aria loved the newfound independence that she experienced over the last few years. She had grown in so many ways, faced many fears and was proud of what she had accomplished on her own.
But to have a man like Alex transfer his strength to her through a strong hug had opened that small crack in the door of her heart that much more.
“I’m so tired of crying, so exhausted from the tears. I don’t want to be sad anymore,” she said through her tears.
Alex kissed the top of her head and held her closer.
As her sobs slowed, she pulled away from him. When she put her hand in her pocket and produced his handkerchief, they both laughed.
With a stuttering breath, she said, “I washed it to give back to you tonight. Guess I still need it.”
“It’s yours for as long as you do,” he answered, his words causing goosebumps to raise along her arms. Why did she feel that statement had a double meaning?
Alex pulled back from her and said, “Let me get you some water. Unless you’d like a glass of wine.”
“Water, please. You seem to keep coming to my rescue.”
He smiled but didn’t answer her, his eyes twinkling as he stepped toward the cabin stairs and disappeared.
Hurrying before he returned, she undid the knot in her scarf, unraveling it from her wrist and using it to clean up around her eyes. Not wanting to stain his handkerchief with her mascara, she put it back in her pocket with the intention of cleaning it again before returning it.
Alex walked back up the stairs to the deck with a glass of cool water. Taking it from him, she thanked him before drinking most of it, grateful for its effect on her dry throat.
“Are you ready to eat?” Alex asked quietly. “I had a chef friend of mine bring us dinner.”
Grateful for the distraction, she answered heartily, “Yes, that sounds great.”
He led her down the stairs to the galley where a table was set up with flowers and candles. On the counter nearby, Aria saw platters with grilled shrimp in what smelled like a lemon sauce, grilled eggplant and zucchini. Bowls of cut ripe tomatoes were dressed in herbs and a basket of bread sat beside it.
“This looks amazing, Alex.”
“I hope you like it,” he said as he held out her chair before bringing the platters and bowls to the table. He took his seat next to her. “But I still do want to cook for you soon.”
She put the navy blue napkin in her lap and served her plate as she answered.
“Want to show off your skills, huh?”
