Finding Beauty in the Darkness

Quite a few women stop Gio to talk as well. Several pretend like I’m not on his arm and flirt with him. He doesn’t flirt back, though. He’s polite and cordial, and his smile never falters, but from spending so much time with him, I know it’s an act.

“Would you like a drink?” he asks when we get a moment to ourselves.

“Yes, please.”

“What would you like?”

“Surprise me.”

He nods and walks not even twenty feet away to get our drinks. I’m watching him stand at the bar ordering our drinks when I feel a hand run down my arm. I jump at the touch, backing up.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I saw you from across the room and had to tell you that you’re simply divine.”

My eyes roll up to my forehead in my mind, but on the outside, I smile, not knowing if this man is a business associate of Gio’s.

“Thank you.”

“My name is Sebastian Lorenzo.” He takes my hand and brings it up to his lips for a kiss. It reminds me of when I met Caesar and he did the same thing, only where Caesar’s approach was playful, this guy comes off as slimy. It takes everything in me not to pull my hand away and wipe his saliva off onto my dress.

“I’m Aria.” I leave my last name off intentionally. Legally, it’s Hightower-Sutton since my mom had it changed when she married Weston, but I’m planning to have it reverted to her maiden name, Sutton.

I notice Caesar walking toward us, his cell phone to his ear, but before he gets to us, Gio returns, giving Caesar a slight nod that one wouldn’t notice if not aware of the situation. Caesar nods back and remains in eyesight but several yards back.

“Sebastian.” Gio hands me my drink, then pulls me closer to his side, tucking me under his arm, either in a show of possessiveness or protectiveness. Either way, it’s much appreciated.

“Giovanni. I was just acquainting myself with your date.”

“Aria, I see Amber and Nico over there.” He nods toward them. “Why don’t you go say hello while I speak with Sebastian?” It’s posed as a question, but it’s clearly a command. I smile and agree, leaving the men to do…whatever it is they’re going to do.

“Hey!” Amber gives me a one-armed hug, since her other hand is holding her drink. “Are you having fun?”

“Yeah, I guess. If you call watching Gio being hit on by every hot woman in a pair of Louboutin’s, and me getting hit on by some seriously creepy guy.”

“Who hit on you?” Nico asks, his voice laced with concern.

“That guy Gio’s talking to.”

Nico’s gaze follows mine. “Sebastian Lorenzo. Make sure you stay away from him, both of you.”

“Gladly,” I assure him.

We stand by the bar, chatting for a while. I’ve finished off the sweet concoction Gio had gotten for me, downed another, and now I’m on my third when Gio makes his way over to us. He comes up next to me, his arm falling over my shoulders. He pulls me toward him and dips his head slightly to place a soft kiss to my temple, making my belly feel like it’s being attacked by an onslaught of butterflies.

“Yeah?” Nico asks and Gio replies with a small nod. “You ladies ready to go?” Nico looks at Amber then to me for our answer.

“But we didn’t get to dance.” Amber pouts.

Nico laughs. “Well, we can’t have that now, can we?” He takes her hand and pulls her onto the dance floor.

Gio’s heated gaze meets mine. “Would you like to dance?”

“I would love to.”

He pulls me around to face him, his hands going to my hips as mine wrap around his neck. We sway to Aerosmith’s Don’t Want to Miss a Thing, our bodies flush against one another. The lyrics hit me hard, reminding me how much I’ve missed these last several months and how I don’t want to miss any more. I wonder how many people in this moment are making memories with someone they love. Living their life to the fullest. Loving hard and without regrets.

My head goes to Gio’s chest as we sway to the music. It’s such a simple moment and to most it would be inconsequential, but to me, it’s a moment of peace, a moment I almost wish would last forever. I haven’t felt this kind of serenity in a long time, but here in Gio’s arms, I feel content—like I’m finally ready to move forward with my life.

“You look exquisite tonight, Ari,” Gio murmurs into my ear.

I glance up at him and the intensity in his eyes has my stomach twisting into knots.

“Are you giving me a nickname?” I ask, trying to keep the mood light.

He smirks. “I figured it was only fitting since you gave me one.”