“Those trees are incredible. I photographed some in that area a few years ago.”
“Nicholas told me some of them could live as long as 150 years! The area we claimed as our own had orange and lemon groves right at the edge of the park. The smells are intoxicating. The sound of the wind in the pine trees always sounded like music to me.”
Alex leaned over and kissed her cheek.
She shivered when he said near her ear, “Sounds wonderful, Aria.”
“Thank you for a wonderful afternoon. Sofia and your dad are amazing.” She could feel that pull again, the sparks flickering back and forth between them.
Before she could reach for the door, Alex jumped out and met her on the passenger side, holding her hand as they walked to her door.
“Corinna said she invited you guys to the beach tomorrow. I don’t want to make a big deal of my birthday. Those big days are still hard for me. I hope you understand.”
“No explanation needed. Just happy to spend the afternoon with you on your special day.”
He kissed her both cheeks before capturing her mouth once more, her knees growing weak.
“See you tomorrow, birthday girl.”
“See you tomorrow.”
After saying goodbye to Alex, Aria knew where she needed to go. It was still early afternoon so if she hurried, she could get there long before sunset. Telling Alex about their favorite spot made her want to be there again.
Packing a blanket and some water, Aria drove several miles to a remote area that was like a second home to her. Pulling up to the deserted part of the coast, she grabbed her things and walked a bit until she got to a majestic maritime pine tree, one of hundreds that dotted the countryside near the MediterraneanSea.Hearing the crash of the waves as they hit the rocks along the craggy shoreline made her sigh contentedly.
She brushed her hand along the initials Nicholas had carved in one of the pine trees so many years ago on their honeymoon.
The smell of the flowers from nearby orange trees, the sound of the soft sway of the pine needles in the wind, brought joy to her heart as always. She could always feel Nicholas there with her. Visiting the cemetery was painful to her but here, under the trees, was where she felt his peaceful presence.
She could hear his voice, his laugh, and see his handsome face as if he were right there sitting across from her.
“Hey, my love. I was talking about you today to a friend. I needed to come see you. Amore, I need to tell you something, but I don't know what you're going to think about it.”
She swallowed and looked out at the sea, the sun glittering on the surface.
“Do you remember Alex Rossi from Rome International? He's here visiting his family, and we ran into each other recently. We've spent a lot of time together and he told me that he's falling in love with me. Nicholas, I don't know how to say this, but I kissed him. I kissed him and I didn’t want to feel anything, but I did.”
Aria fiddled with the stitching on the end of the blanket, looking up at the swaying branches.
“You know,” she continued, “I’ve thought about what I would want for you if it were you here instead of me. I couldn't stand the idea of you staying in this all-encompassing grief, but it's what I expect for myself, and I'm trying so hard to navigate that.”
She stood up and leaned her back on the tree, exhaling loudly.
“I just don't want to hurt you. You know that your mom moved to Brazil with your aunt Sariyda after you passed. She needed to be around family with you and your dad not here anymore. But I can’t imagine what she would think of this. And I haven't told my parents yet either.”
Walking around the tree, she raked her hands through her hair.
“My heart wants to open again, but I'msoscared. I need to know that you’ll be okay if it happens, Nicholas.”
Just then the wind picked up, so much so that an orange blossom from a nearby tree dropped onto the blanket. Aria closed her eyes and felt the wind on her face as it blew her hair back.
“Thank you, amore. I love you. So very much. And I miss you every single day.”
Placing the flower in her hair, she folded the blanket, touched their initials one more time before walking back to the car.
Chapter Forty-One
Alex pickedAria up the next morning and when she got in the car, he leaned toward her and kissed her on the cheek.
