Aria

 

 

 

Morgana wasn’t kidding when she said Chuck’s Sausage Shack had the best sausages in Chicago. I laughed when she mentioned going there for her lunch break with me and Tiffany, but I admitted I was wrong. How I admitted it was through moans of satisfaction that had several people in the place turning to gaze at our table.

“You’re not. Evaleen and I are so you can suck on that,” Morgana said with a smirk while pointing to my sausage.

“Don’t rub the fact you get to jet off to London for your job in my face, Morgana. That’s rude.” I glanced over at Tiffany for backup but she was too engrossed in her sausage to care about us anymore.

“No, I’m not. Seriously, suck on it. It brings out the juices,” Morgana said just before she brought the sausage to her lips and sucked on the tip.

Most of the people in the restaurant turned to stare at us.

“Why isn’t Evaleen joining us for lunch?” Tiffany asked as she put her food back on her plate. A smile of satisfaction spread across her lips.

“She has a meeting with Edgar, the head of IT at Mimir. They are in the process of trying to hire someone in his department,” Morgana said.

“We should have a SWIM Meet before you leave. How about tomorrow night? A special Saturday night SWIM Meet,” I suggested.

My eyes roamed the restaurant. I kept expecting to find someone, but I didn’t know who. Ever since meeting Alex all those weeks ago, I haven’t felt comfortable in my own skin.

I was frustrated and knew what I needed. Reaching up to my neck absently, I realized my good luck charm necklace wasn’t there. I never understood how often I fidgeted with the necklace until it was gone. I haven’t seen it in weeks and wondered if it fell off in a certain art collector’s bedroom.

“I can’t. I’m having dinner with my parents Saturday night,” Morgana said.

“I’ll go. David is much stronger since he’s been home from the hospital, and he’s making tremendous progress. I can ask Henrik to hang out with him. David will love that,” Tiffany said.

I smiled at Tiffany’s happiness. She has worked so hard for that boy and he’s worked harder to walk than all of us combined. But, as happy as I was that Tiffany would be coming out tomorrow, I wanted a wing-woman. Someone who would help me find a guy to ease this frustration.

“I’ll call Evaleen later, see if she might be interested.”

I don’t know how much better Evaleen would be than Tiffany. Whereas Tiffany would probably okay any guy that showed me attention, as she has been out of the dating world far too long, Evaleen would also scare off all who showed interest.

That’s why Morgana was perfect. I had known her since we were roommates in college. She had the ability to relax a guy into showing his true colors. Even the guys who had mastered the game would let down their guard around her.

“Can you at least bring home some pictures of the guys in London? I need to live vicariously through you for a while, Morgana,” I said as I reached over to pat her hand.

“I don’t know if I will be having any bangers and mash in London.” Morgana gave an exaggerated wink before continuing, “I have a coffee date on Sunday before my trip. If everything goes as I think it will with my date, it will be all business across the pond next week.”

“Can you take pictures of your date then? Preferably naked,” I said and then bit into my pickle.

“What about Alex? You told me you were working hard to . . . how did you put it? ‘Climb that mountain so you could reach his peak,’” Tiffany said before tossing a potato chip into her mouth.

“What? Aria, you are working for a man’s affection?” Morgana’s asked.

“No. Maybe. It doesn’t matter, anyway. He thinks I’m trash. I know he’s attracted to me but I’m just the hired help,” I said before I rolled my eyes.

Morgana’s mouth dropped open as she stared at me.

“What?” I said.

“You said once that if you ever have to try to get a man to sleep with you that he wasn’t worth the effort and your vagina must have fallen out, so I should get you to a hospital right away.”

Tiffany snorted and blushed.

“Maybe that’s the problem. Alex’s sex superpowers are tingling, letting him know that my lady parts have withered away.”

“Oh, Aria. Don’t talk like that. I’m sure your vagina is still young and vibrant and ready for a hundred Alex’s.” Tiffany reached over to rub my back.

I know Tiffany meant well but having her say all that had me feeling like I was going to throw up.

“Okay, since I’m not hungry anymore, let me go wash up in the bathroom. Thanks for the pep talk.” I stood and nodded at Tiffany.

She smiled and took a sip of her water.

After I left the table, I made my way to the back down a small hallway. Pushing open the door I was shocked at who I found standing at the sink putting on lipstick.

Mrs. Hawthorne.

“Hello, Aria.”

“Mrs. Hawthorne. I had no idea you were here.” My eyes swept over the small room with one sink and a toilet in the corner. “I’ll step outside to give you some privacy.” I turned to open the door and leave.

 “Aria, please wait. I wish to speak with you.” Her rich voice halted my progress.

I took a deep breath and prepared for the assault. I knew she wasn’t going to be happy with me helping Alex discover he owned that building. Seeing how she responded to something so insignificant like a mural on a wall, I can only imagine how she reacted when she found out that Alex owned the building.

“Look, Mrs. Hawthorne, I felt that Alex needed to know that he owned that building. If the lawyers were lying to you, then you should be outraged at them, not me.” I turned and held up my hands in peace.

Twisting the lipstick case and replacing the cap, she dropped it into her black leather purse before turning toward me. “You are so right, Aria. I am shocked that my family’s lawyer, a person who has worked for us since Alexander was a child, could lie to us. I’m here to thank you.”

Alex has said many times that his mother was controlling and cold, but she has yet to treat me like that. Sure, she overreacted about the mural and got on my nerves with how picky she was, but she has taste. Any person with an eye for art should know what they want.

“Thank you. I have to say it’s a relief to hear you say that. I thought you were here to tell me off.” I laughed as I placed my hand on my chest.

Mrs. Hawthorne took her purse off the counter and walked to me. “I know what Alex says about me . . . and some of it is true. But you have to understand that, as a single mother, I am protective of my son. Maybe I shielded him too much. Having as much money as we do you don’t understand the amount of people who would say or do anything to get at that money.”

“I guess that makes sense. Trust me, Mrs. Hawthorne, I have seen how money can hurt people, especially the people you love. I would never do that to your son.”

The corner of her mouth twitched. “I know, Aria, that’s why I am coming to you with my problem. Something I haven’t told anyone. The way you helped Alexander with discovering the truth about his inheritance; you have proven that you care for his well-being.”

I nodded.

She stepped closer. Lifting her hand, she hesitated a moment before clasping my hand and holding it in hers. “My son, he isn’t like the average man you would meet. This may be odd coming from his mother, but I love him too much to let him go through life alone.”

Was this why Alexander avoided any talk about us sexually? I thought he was a snob but maybe it’s much more than that.

“It’s my fault, really. I shielded him from the world, protected him from people that would hurt him, but it also stopped him from understanding how to be, socially, with a woman. Please, tell me that what I say to you won’t leave this room.” Her eyes widened in what I could only assume was worry.

“Of course, Mrs. Hawthorne. I would never hurt your son, I told you that,” I said and gave a small smile to reassure her.

“My son has never been with a woman before. Sexually.”

I could tell when every muscle in my face registered what she had said. They loosened and slacked in shock, one by one.

“But, I don’t understand. You’re his mother. I am sure he’s not going to tell you who he has been intimate with.”

Alex can’t be a virgin. He’s gorgeous, rich, and seemed like a nice, if not somewhat naïve, guy. He may not have a lot of experience but I was sure at some gala or party he’s attended some women threw themselves at him.

“I know he doesn’t tell me everything, but I do have my sources. That’s why I am coming to you.”

My eyes widened as I shook my head backing out of her grasp. “Oh, no. Look, Mrs. Hawthorne, as I said to Alex yesterday, I will not be paid to be his friend. I will also not spy on your son.”

My father may have easily been bribed but that gene wasn’t passed on to me.

She laughed and waved her hand in the air. “Oh no, Aria, you misunderstood me. I would never ask that of you. You are better than that, I can tell.”

That was a relief. For a second there I wondered if Mrs. Hawthorne was the monster Alex painted her out to be.

“Aria, I know Alex cares for you so I think you would be the perfect person to take his virginity.”