Page 4 of Flawless Aria

Grabbing the bag, I head out the door and, in my mind, I can hear mom yelling at me for going outside with my hair wet. It’s one of her pet peeves, but we all know we catch cold from germs, not from being cold.

I’m disappointed when I pull into their driveway and their car is gone. Damn. I should have called first. Since I have a key, I decide to leave the pie anyway. After walking inside, I set the pie on the counter. I grab a Post-it note off the fridge and scribble, ‘Surprise, guess who’ and place it on top of the pie. Dad will be so happy he has dessert after dinner tonight.

After locking up, I pull out of the drive and head to my next stop. Why do I suddenly get butterflies in the pit of my stomach as I drive to Jax’s house? This was a bad idea. Maybe I should turn around and just go home. Too late. I’m pulling into his driveway as his words from last night hit me like a ton of bricks. Those soulful words after I told him our door is always open.

I appreciate the sentiment, but nothing will ever be the same again. It might be best if I cut my losses and hold onto the good memories we all shared.

What if he’s right about holding our memories close and just letting go?

I startle when there’s a soft tap on my window. Glancing up I see Jax staring back at me. Worry is etched across his gorgeous face. There’s no turning back now. I slide my window down.

“Are you okay? I was backing out of the garage and nearly hit you.” With his head tilted to the side, he scrutinizes me, searching for something. It snaps me out of whatever funk I’m in.

“Sorry. I should have called first, but I baked this morning and thought you’d like these.” I hand him the container and when his fingers brush across my knuckles, I shudder. What is wrong with me?

3

JAXON

I’ve never seenAria so anxious and uncomfortable. Ever. She’s normally so put together and poised that I’m concerned. Especially since she was lost in thought when I knocked on her window. I can’t let her drive home when there’s something bothering her.

I’m touched when I open the container and see that she baked my favorite dessert. It’s hard not to get emotional, knowing that she cares enough about me to do this. Which both slays me and melts me at the same time. God, it’s going to be so damn hard letting go. Not going to happen today.

“Come inside, Aria. I’m going to devour all of these pies with a glass of milk while you sit and watch. And I might have a bag of chips and some onion dip, too.” Now I have her attention.

“I should let you go. Apparently you had plans and I just ruined them for you.” I don’t have the heart to tell her why I was leaving. She’d be so disappointed in me.

“No biggie. Now get your ass in the house right now or it’s going to be all your fault when I go into a food coma.” I smile when I head for the house and hear a car door slam behind me. Knew she’d follow.

Reluctantly, she steps inside the house, and I pretend not to notice how apprehensive she is as I walk into the kitchen. Clutching her purse like it’s her lifeline. For the life of me, I have no idea why she’s so nervous around me. This is def a first and hopefully the last. I need to make her feel comfortable. So I rack my brain and get a great idea.

Setting the container on the island, I open the drawer, grab a few plates, and set one in front of each chair. Then I grab a ton of junk food out of the cabinets and do the same. I motion for her to sit, while I open the fridge and grab the milk and a bunch of other drinks. Some not too healthy, but I’m afraid it’s one of those days.

“Okay, so let’s lay down the rules before we start.” Now I really have her attention.

“Rules? For what? This isn’t a game, Jax. You invited me in to eat chip and dip while you eat whoopie pies.” Apparently, she’s forgotten the little game we used to play all those years ago. I’m hurt.

“True, but I’m putting a spin on it.” Before continuing, I pour a glass of milk for myself and open a bottle of water for her. She’s not crazy about the energy drinks or the soda I buy, so there’s that. I also open all the bags of goodies that haven’t been opened and crack open the lid to the dip. Now we’re ready to start.

“Why did you open all of those bags? I have no intention of eating anything but chip and dip.”

“That’s fine, Aria. But there’s a catch. We’re playing food charades, so we can’t eat a thing until we guess what the other person is pretending to do.” Immediately her shoulders relax and she smiles. Such a beautiful smile.

“We haven’t played that game since I was like twelve or thirteen.” She’s beaming, and—I must admit—so am I. Memories. They will either kill you or cure you. This one is healing me even if she has no idea. “Do you still have the cards you made for me?”

“I don’t, but we can make them up on the fly. We’re both a lot smarter than we were all those years ago.” Grabbing a coin out of my pocket, I toss it in the air and grab it on the fly. Slamming it on the top of my hand, I say, “Call it.”

Laughing, she says, “Heads.” Of course she would.

“Heads, you go first.” Hey, I had a fifty-fifty chance, but doesn’t really matter who goes first.

“Okay, let me think.” A minute later she’s pantomiming. Too damn easy.

“Peeling a banana, right?” How did I not notice that her eyes light up when she’s smiling? Stupid me.

“That was too easy. Had I known we were going to play I would have come prepared.”

Grabbing that whoopie pie, I open my mouth wide and do my best to take the biggest bite ever. I manage to fit three-quarters of the sweet goodness before chewing. Savoring the creamy filling and the rich chocolate cake. It’s literally a climax in my mouth if that’s even a thing. My moans apparently are sending her into a tizzy.

---