“You’re not stupid, Aria. Your dad threw those old bastards at you for a reason.”
“To marry me off.”
“He never intended for you to be with anyone else. It was agreed on our births.”
Her stomach started to knot. “What was?”
“Our marriage, Aria.”
Unable to control herself, she stared at him, and started to laugh.
Wayne did nothing more than wait. Even as she kept laughing, she saw that he hadn’t joined her.
“This isn’t a joke?”
“No joke. Our families agreed.”
“When we were kids?”
“Babies. Our birthdays are days apart. I had mine yesterday, and yours is tomorrow. Our family had an agreement.”
“This can’t be happening right now.” She walked away from Wayne, and made her way toward the garden. “You’ve known this whole time?”
“Only for the past year. My dad decided I should know seeing as we hadn’t gotten close.”
“You hate me.”
“We can make this work. We don’t have a choice.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Yeah, we have a choice.” She stopped, and stared around the garden. This was the last place she wanted to be right now.
“Wayne! Aria!”
Their names being shouted was the perfect distraction she needed. “You go. I’m just going to catch my breath.”
“I could stay with you.”
“I don’t want to be around anyone right now.” She watched him walk away, and when she was sure he wouldn’t hear her, she started walking in the opposite direction.
Out of the gardens, and the house, she made her way along the street. She didn’t get far before Eli’s car was coming toward her.
Aria would recognize it anywhere, and lifting her arms up in the air to signal him, she waited.
“I was just coming to make sure you’re all right.”
“Can I stay with you tonight, please? I don’t want to go home.”
“I don
’t mind.”
“I’ll call Rachel and Mary, ask them to cover for me.”
“It’s fine with me.”
“Come on.”
Once inside his car, the heat was a welcome relief. “Guess what I just found out?”