Shaking his head, he answered, “No. She understands that my heart belongs to you.”
He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it tenderly.
When they arrived at Leonardo's house, Aria looked around in wonder.
The Rossi home was an enormous villa-style home nestled in the hills near the city’s center. There was an expansive veranda on the second floor that spanned the front of the residence. Vines of several varieties wound their way over the façade, adding to its charm.
The front gardens were immaculately maintained, and the smell of roses permeated the air as they walked to the ornate wooden door which was decorated with metalwork.
Sofia and Leonardo greeted them with hugs when they entered the house. Alex and Aria followed them out into the back garden area, passing through open French doors with white gauze curtains flapping in the breeze.
“Aria, I’ve been waiting to spend some time with you again. Tell Alex he can’t monopolize all your time,” Leonardo said jokingly.
“I’m excited to spend time with you, too.”
“Same here. She was my friend first, guys, just remember that! Would you like some lemonade or some wine?” Sofia asked when they settled at a round table shaded by a wide, cobalt blue umbrella.
“Some lemonade would be great. Thanks, Sofia. Can I help?” Aria asked.
“No, no. Sit, it’ll only take me a minute,” she answered, her bare feet shuffling along the tile that led back into the house.
“Your home is lovely, Leonardo. Alex told me you and Sofia share it?”
“Yes, they both dote over me like I’m an old man,” he answered, making Alex chuckle.
“Not an old man at all. Just wanted to keep an eye on you is all,” Alex replied, winking at his father.
Waving his hand dismissively, Leonardo continued as he looked around the yard, “It’s way too big for me once Sofia moves out, but we will take care of that when the time comes.”
“Trying to get rid of me, Papa?” Sofia said with a smirk when she returned with a tray of glasses. Alex stood up to help her with it, passing them out.
“Never, my girl,” Leonardo answered lovingly.
“Tell us about your publishing business,” Sofia said when she sat back down. “Can’t say that it surprises me. You were the only girl I’ve ever known that could read day and night. I don’t think I ever saw you without a book in your hand.”
Nodding, Aria took a sip of the tart drink and answered, “It’s so true. I can’t explain it. Reading books transports me to new worlds, you know? We didn’t have a ton of money to vacation when I was growing up, but the stories I read as a kid took me to magical places all over the world. As I got older, I craved not only the fantasy of it, but learning new things and about new people. I love biographies and true stories as well as non-fiction.”
“Alex loved adventure books as a kid too, but mostly he created his own adventures. He was always pushing the boundaries of my patience with his courageous acts of defiance. After he broke his leg jumping off the roof, he decided to take less chances,” Leonardo said as they all laughed.
“I hated that cast,” Alex scowled. “Definitely put a cramp in my superhero phase.”
“You would fit in well with my family. Santo, my brother, loved to climb trees, neighbor’s houses, fences, you name it.”
“Alex isn’t much different now. Just a big kid,” Sofia said, as Alex narrowed his eyes at her in mock defense.
“Sofia, this is delicious lemonade. Do I taste lavender?” Aria asked.
“Yeah, we grow it here in the garden. I’ll send you home with some. Dry the buds and you’ll be able to make them into a syrup.”
“I’d love that. I became interested in perfume making, and the idea of combining citrus and herbs fascinates me,” she said, taking another sip. “Tell me about Aura. I’ve been to the website, but I wanted to ask your opinion on what to start with first.”
“No need, I’ll pull some samples and give them to Alex for you. Papa has been in the cosmetic business for many years, but when I came on board, I wanted to add an organic line. After Mama passed, I got interested in holistic care and changed a lot of my habits. Eating, homewares, essential oils. But I hadn’t thought about the impact of what we put on our skin. After a conference in Milan, I was sold. Papa let me head up the new organic line and it’s been a great success.”
“Thanks for the offer, Sofia, that would be amazing. And it doesn’t surprise me one bit that you went into cosmetics. You were always our makeup guru in school, like Corinna. I’m more mascara and Chapstick,” Aria said, making them all laugh.
“Speaking of school, Aria, has Alex confessed to you yet that he bribed me to sign up as your study partner?” she said, teasing Alex as he playfully swatted her arm.
Laughing and a bit embarrassed, Aria said, “Yes, he did. I hadnoidea that he even noticed me back then.”
