“I get that. And I know I’ll have to give him a chance to explain, but tonight has broken that illusion I let myself believe in. I have to stop living in this fantasy world. Life isn’t romantic movies and novels. That’s all a fairytale, not true life, notreallife,” Aria answered, sitting back down beside her friend.
She grabbed the throw pillow next to her and held it to her chest, her eyes focused on the floor.
Corinna threw off her cardigan and hugged Aria from the side, her voice lowering.
“You and Nicholas had the fairytale. Don’t let this one night make you doubt the possibility of finding that again.”
“My fairytale ended in tragedy. I didn’t get my happily ever after,” she whispered. She took a deep breath in and leaned back, her head pushing into the sofa. “Before Alex came along, I had my family, you, my business. I don’t need a man. I don’t need some make-believe Mr. Darcy.”
“No, you don’t have to have a man to be happyorfulfilled. But you, my beautiful girl,” she said as she pushed Aria’s hair from her face, “you have a heart that longs for that, for the fairytale. And I still believe it will happen again for you. Maybe not with this guy but with someone, somewhere. Don’t give up.”
Aria was quiet for several minutes as her mind played out the scene at the boat.
“You should have seen her. Tall, blonde, legs to die for. Designer clothes, impeccable makeup. Look at me, Corinna! I thought I was going on a big fishing boat. I'm in a plaid shirt for goodness’ sake. And the way she looked at me, like I was beneath her,” Aria yelled, pointing to her simple outfit.
Corinna moved to the floor in front of Aria, kneeling down and taking her hands.
“You don’t need designer clothes and perfect makeup. Don’t compare yourself to that woman.”
Rubbing her eyes, Aria said, “I know who I am but standing there while she touched him,” she said, shaking her head. “It doesn’t matter. Even if there is an explanation, he’s still an albatross, just like his friends call him. He travels formonths and months at a time. I got caught up in the romance, but our lives are so different. My whole life is here. In Positano.”
“Wait, an albatross? You mean that huge bird you had a picture of back in school?”
“Yeah, it’s his nickname and even the name of his boat.”
“Oh wow, that’s weirdly coincidental.”
“Yeah, I know. Tonight was meant to happen before either of us got too close.”
“And how closewereyou?” Corinna teased, making Aria laugh, surprising them both.
She always knew how to bring her out of her sadness, even if it was just for a moment.
“You’re incorrigible.”
“But you love me.”
Taking a deep breath, Aria answered, “Yes, I do.”
Corinna pushed up on her knees and hugged her tightly.
“You’re going to be fine, my girl. I’ll make sure of it.”
Nodding, Aria kissed her friend on her cheek when she pulled back.
“Got some pj’s I can borrow? I don’t want to go home tonight.”
“Wasn’t gonna let you,” Corinna answered, standing and leading Aria into the guest room.
After her shower, Aria texted Natalia and Luna letting them know she wasn't feeling well and wouldn’t be in the next day.
Settling into bed, Aria tried to sleep. Pulling the covers over her head, she tried to forget how badly her heart felt, eventually falling asleep.
Aria was awakened by the sounds of her own panicked breathing, her heart rate erratic. Panting and gasping for air, her throat and her mouth were dry as sand.
Oh God, not again.
Was she dreaming or was this real? She forced air in her lungs and tried to scream out for help, but nothing would come.
