Chapter Four

Aria lay on the couch trying to watch TV. Nothing appealed to her, so she was staring at the ceiling when a knock sounded.

She groaned and got to her feet. Today was her lazy, do-nothing-day. Getting up off the couch was even more than she had planned.

Looking through the peephole on her front door, she groaned quietly at the sight of Marcy standing there with grocery bags in hand.

“Lord give me strength,” Aria whispered, head tilted back. Pulling the door open, she glared at her best friend.

Marcy cleared her throat, but wouldn't meet her eyes. “Hi.”

Aria wasn't going to make this easy for her; they hadn't spoken since Thursday evening at the festival. “Hi.”

“I came by to cook dinner and to apologize for being a bitch, and I promise I'll keep my thoughts about your love life to myself. You already know where I stand on that subject, so no need for me to bring it up again.”

Aria let her friend sweat for a minute longer before she moved aside and motioned her in.

Marcy put the bags on the kitchen island and turned to Aria. “I really am sorry.” Her eyes showed her remorse.

“I don't forgive you, because we've been over this time and time again, but I'm willing to forget the outburst, and move on.”

Marcy's shoulders relaxed and she stepped to Aria with her arms opened wide. “Love you, girl.”

“I love you, too.” Aria hugged her back while eyeing the brown paper bags. “So, what's for dinner tonight?” She pulled away.

“Lasagna, garlic bread, and salad.”

“Maybe you’re forgiven a little bit.”

Marcy let out a relieved chuckle.

After dinner, ice cream, and wine, Aria loosened up somewhat. “Marcy, I'm gonna tell you something, and I'll never bring the subject up again, so listen carefully.”

Her friend—nestled in the couch by her side—glanced over at her.

“I'm fine dating, or having one-night stands, and maybe one day I'll come across Mr. Right, and fall hopelessly in love. I'm not completely shutting that idea out, so please give me some slack since it's only been five months. Aaron fucked me up in a big way, and sure, I'm gun shy, but if love smacks me in the head, I'm a true romantic and will follow my heart. Until then, I plan on having fun. So, don't worry about me, okay?”

Marcy nodded, and leaned in for a quick hug. “I'll always worry about you, but...”

Aria tilted her head. “Ugh! Say what you want. Purge it from your system.”

“Thank you for sharing with me. That's the most you've said on the subject since Aaron left you.”

“He didn't leave me, he ran from me.”

Marcy shrugged. “Same difference.”

“No.” She shook her head adamantly. “Leaving is packing a bag, saying goodbye and walking away. Aaron left his shit, all of it, then he disconnected his phone, e-mail, and social media accounts, and didn't even leave a fucking note. He took off. If his parents hadn’t been honest with me when I called looking for him, I would've thought he was dead in a ditch somewhere.”

“What exactly did they say...” Marcy waved her hand out in front of her. “No, never mind, not my business.”

“I don't care, Marcy. My business is your business anyway, but I never talk about it because at first it was too painful, and now it's over and in the past. But the real story I never told anyone, is that things were getting serious between us, he got cold feet, panicked, and left. He told his parents that once he got his head on straight he'd be back for me.”

“Fuck, Aria! Why didn't you tell me?” The other woman practically jumped off the couch.

“After month three, and no word from him, I had to give up and move on with my life.” Aria grabbed her wineglass off the end table and barely took a sip, using it more as a prop to hide behind.

Marcy's hands went to her hips. “Again. Why haven't you told me this before?”

“Your grandmother had passed away around that time, and you were pretty broken up, so I didn't want to lay my shit on you.” She took another sip.

Marcy snatched the glass from her, splashing wine over the rim in the process before putting their glasses on the table. “Aria! You're my best friend. What kind of fucked-up thinking is that? I could've been there for you. I thought he was an ass and left, I didn't know there was a promise he might return.”

“Like I said, it's in the past now. I'm over it, and I'm okay.”

“You better promise me if anything comes of this, or anything else of this magnitude happens, you will tell me.”

Aria considered for a moment and then nodded. “I promise.”

Her friend grinned and held up a fist, her little finger sticking straight out. “Pinky swear.”

Aria laughed, but Marcy kept her hand in the air. “Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

“Fine.” Aria chuckled and locked pinkies with her friend, but Marcy's prolonged eye contact informed Aria that she was dead serious.

They settled back onto the couch and watched the movie while drinking wine until they both passed out.