Pinching her eyes closed, she didn’t want to see what she knew was waiting for her. Twisted metal, her ears ringing, the sound of her screaming for Nicholas.
Suddenly Corinna was beside her, holding her, waking her from the nightmare that plagued her for so long.
“Wake up, Aria. Come on, I’m here, I’m here.”
Forcing her mind to push back into reality, Aria opened her eyes. Clinging to her friend, she let her wipe the sweat from her face and gently rock her as she saw the dawning day outside the window.
The night was over. Day was coming. With that thought, she exhaled and calmed.
“I’m so sorry, love. I’m so sorry you have to bear this. I wish I could take this from you.”
Finding her voice, Aria said, her voice hoarse, “You have helped shoulder this burden from the beginning. You can’t do any more than you’ve already done, and I love you for it.”
Corinna kissed her on the head and rubbed her arm. “You’re alive, Aria.”
Taking a deep breath in, Aria nodded. “It’s time to live again.”
Chapter Thirty
Puttinghis hands on his knees and breathing heavily, Alex tried to control the rage he felt. A few moments ago, he had the woman of his dreams in his arms and now she was gone.
He straightened as he looked around the empty parking lot.
Frantically pulling out his phone, he dialed Aria’s number over and over, each call going straight to voicemail.
Hanging his head, Alex stalked back to the boat to face the one person he never dreamed he would see tonight.
“Alex. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt your little get-together,” Bella said, standing up from the deck chair when he returned, her black silk skirt flowing as she rose.
“This wasn't a ‘get together’, Bella. I was on a date with a woman that I care about. I can’t imagine what she thinks of me right now.”
He put his fist to his mouth, trying to control his anger.
“What onearthare you doing here?”
“I missed you, Alex,” Bella said as she grabbed his hand. “I couldn't wait any longer to see you. I know I hurt you and I wanted to give you time. I made a mistake, and I really want a chance at us again.”
“A mistake?” he huffed, pacing the deck, his face in a tortured scowl, hands flailing. “Bella, I was ready to leave for an assignment when I got a call from a friend who saw you getting into an elevator in a Paris hotel, making out with some guy. Youdoremember that don’t you?”
Her face grimaced at his words. “I’ve told you. He meant nothing. You missed my event, and I was so angry. Then you were leaving for months. I was tired of being alone, Alex. But I know now I want you in my life no matter what.”
“It’s too late for that. I told you this. Your betrayal ruined everything.”
She reached for him again and begged, “I understand that. But I’m still begging you. Can you ever forgive me?”
Ignoring her question, he asked, “How did you even know I was here?”
Bella sheepishly pulled her bedazzled phone out of her purse, scrolled a bit and showed him a post that Michael’s agent made during the photoshoot.
Alex shook his head, frustration written across his face. His eyes squinted as he read it again.
“He didn’t tag me, though. How?—”
“I, I may have looked you up a few times. Surprise?” she answered, her voice playful.
Alex didn’t answer but grabbed his own phone from his pocket and turned off the music, the sound now painful in his ears.
“Tonight was my grand gesture to show you how sorry I am. To show you that we can be something wonderful again if you just give me a chance.”
