“Yes?” Corinna asked, impatient to hear the rest.
“He kissed me,”Aria whispered.
Corinna pumped her fists in the air, making the bartender chuckle.
“It was so amazing. Gentle but passionate. You know the line from that Meg Ryan movie with the French guy when she was describing a kiss?” Aria asked as they both nodded their heads. “That's what it was like. Our lips moving together like we’d been doing this for years. There was no awkwardness that you sometimes have with a first kiss. It was like we shared a little bit of our souls with each other.”
“Girl, I’m so glad you decided to give him a chance. I love seeing you so happy,” Corinna said, rubbing Aria’s arm.
“I am happy. Oh, it was magical. After the kiss it got even better.”
“Now, we’re talking,” Corinna said, sitting up straighter in her chair.
“Corinna! Geez, you’re worse than Santo and his friends. Not that!” Aria said, playfully smacking her friend’s leg. “He said he had to confess something, couldn’t hold it in any longer. Then he said, ‘Aria, I'm falling in love with you.’”
Corinna rubbed her arms vigorously, trying to control the goosebumps.
“What did you say back?”
“I didn't say it back because I'm confused, happy, excited, nauseated, starry-eyed—all of it. But when I finished writing down my feelings at the end of the night, I realized that, yeah, I may be falling for him,” she answered as she closed her eyes.
Hugging her, Corinna said, “This could be your second chance at love.”
“Yeah, maybe,” Aria whispered.
“I know I’ve already said this, love, but I’m happy for you. Whatever happens, wherever this takes you, I will support you and your decisions. And I know Nicholas would have wanted this for you, too.”
Aria answered, her voice choked with emotion, “You have no idea what that means to me.”
As their conversation continued, Aria was struck with a revelation. Alex Rossi was taking more and more of her heart and putting her back together again, piece by piece.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Alex smiledas he reached for the phone, expecting it to be Aria. He was surprised when he answered and heard Bella on the other end.
“Hi, Alex. I’m surprised you answered,” she said sheepishly.
“Honestly, I thought it was Aria. How are you?”
“I’m fine. So, I guess you two made up, then?”
“Yeah, I’m grateful she let me explain. Why are you calling, Bella? I don’t want to be rude, I just thought we said all that needed to be said.”
“Well,youdid, and I guess I needed to say this to you and not through a text. I’m sorry, Alex. I messed everything up and lost you. I wish I could go back and make this right but it’s obvious I can’t. I just wanted to say that I wish you happiness. Aria’s a very lucky woman.”
Alex could hear the emotion in her voice and softened his tone.
“Bella, despite all that happened, you’re a wonderful person and I hope you find love and happiness. I’m glad we could talk one last time on a better note. I’m glad you called.”
“Thanks for listening. I wish you the same, Alex. Goodbye.”
Alex walked into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee when he heard the phone ring again. Turning back to the living room to grab it, he saw Aria’s name on the caller ID.
“Hey, I missed you today. Had fun tonight?”
Chuckling, Aria answered, “Yeah. So much fun. What did you do today?”
“Worked on some plans for the house. Some small projects I want to do next in the kitchen. Put a sound system in the living room so we can dance next time you’re over.”
