“I, I felt alive. Alive for the first time since Nicholas—” Aria sobbed, her chest heaving with the force it took for the words to come out.
Concern written across her face, Corinna answered in a quiet tone, “Youarealive, Aria. And all of us who love you are so grateful for that.”
She reached for her and held her tight.
“I’m, I’m alive, but Nicholas is not. How do I live with that, Corinna? And how do I deal with this resentment I felt toward him because I didn’t pursue writing?” Aria asked, as she clung to her friend.
“Darling girl, you have nothing to feel guilty about. Yes, with God’s mercy, we didn’t lose both of you that day. If he could, Nicholas would have given his life to be sure that you survived that car wreck. And you did. You’re alive, Aria. It means you’re still here for a reason, for a purpose. You’re allowed to live and love and dream and find joy.
“You’re also allowed to feel resentment. You’re allowed to feel all of those things. It’s natural for those emotions to surface after tragedy. I’m just surprised it’s taken you this long to say it out loud to me. I know it’s painful, but I’m glad, honey, I’m glad you’re finally letting it surface so it can heal.”
Aria’s sobs stilled after many minutes while Corinna whispered affirmations in her ears. When she felt she could speak again, Aria pulled back, wiping her face with her sleeve.
“I thought there were no more tears left. I’m so tired of crying.”
“Tears are a way to cleanse the soul, love. You needed that tonight. I understand more now what you’ve been feeling.”
Nodding, Aria replied, “I don’t even think I knew those feelings existed. Is it crazy to think that meeting Alex has brought them to the surface?”
“I don’t think that’s crazy at all. Feeling again, wanting things you’ve closed your heart off to. Yeah, it makes sense that those hidden fears would surface.”
“I don’t know how he made me feel this way so quickly. I fought it, questioned it. Not sure how to stop it. But yeah, tonight something unexpected happened. At least for me, anyway.”
“So, finish telling me. I’m still a bit lost here. What did he do?”
“We were, we were in this intense moment. It was like we connected, it was magnetic, powerful. It was overwhelming but thrilling. He bent down to kiss me. Our first real kiss, Corinna.”
Aria rubbed her palms over her jeans, her hands visibly shaking.
“Did, did he touch you, do something you weren’t comfortable with? I’ll kill him.”
“No, no, nothing like that,” Aria said, shaking her head. “Right before he kissed me, we heard this loud noise. When we turned, this, this gorgeous model-looking woman stood there and called him ‘cara mia’!”
“What?” Corinna said, her face pinched, her voice flat.
Aria stood up and scoffed. “Yeah, she startstouchinghim on his arm, like he belongs to her, while he’s trying to tell me not to go. And I stood there like an idiot and listened to him until it was clear she wasn’t leaving. All I saw was red, so I took off running. When I got to the parking lot, a taxi was there.”
She turned to face Corinna, her voice shaking. “I yelled at the driver to go, and he said the woman told him to wait and see if herboyfriendwas on the boat.”
“No!”
Nodding vigorously, Aria continued, her voice growing louder. “Yeah. Apparently he has a girlfriend named Bella and I’m an idiot. A complete idiot for believing his stupid flowery words, stupid dancing, stupid romantic scenes. Ugh!”
“I hate her and her name.”
“I can’t believe I let this happen.”
“It’s so opposite of everything you’ve told me about him. Not to mention what I saw for myself at the gallery. And why would he tell you to stay if she was his girlfriend? Something’s not right.”
Aria dropped her hands to her side, her body feeling the effects of the adrenaline run-off.
“I know. I believed him, Corinna. I believed his heart. And it felt real. There’s a part of me that wanted to stay and hear him out, but I just couldn’t.”
“I’m so sorry, love. I hate that you put yourself out there and were hurt. It’s taking everything in me not to find him and strangle him. But what if thereisan explanation?”
Shaking her head, Aria responded, “Maybe so, but it doesn’t change the fact that there’s a woman on the boat with him right now that obviously means something to him.”
“Again, not to sound like I’m siding with him, but you’ve always taught me to be fair. Maybe she’s an ex. Why would he invite you on the boat if he knew she was coming?”
