Chapter 212

212
One hour earlier , Dwen neticed the fridge was nearly empty .
He grabbed his phone to head out , but as he passed the door across the hall , he paused .
Last night , he’d had a dream – a vivid replay of the first time he’d ever seen
Ana . In that dream , he’d managed to tear away her mask .
Underneath wasn’t the teenage girl he remembered , but the woman she’d grown into .
She’d smiled at him and said , “ Owen , it’s been a long time . ”
In that moment , nothing else existed .
Their eyes met , and a wave of emotion crashed over him , so strong that even after waking up , his heart refused to settle down .
For the first time , Owen couldn’t deny it – he was drawn to Aria .
He’d never had a problem with the idea of falling in love , but all these years , he just hadn’t met anyone who could make his heart race .
If he kept his distance , maybe these new feelings would fade , but honestly , how could he keep away from someone like her ?
Falling for Aria felt natural – almost inevitable . So Owen decided to just accept it .
He took a breath and rang her doorbell .
Aria opened the door in a fitted , pale sweater and jeans , her feet in house slippers .
She wore her hair up , a few wisps brushing her cheeks , softening her usual air of reserve .
Owen remembered the day he first saw her at Seacrest Law Firm – she’d worn a crisp shirt with loose , dark slacks and black shoes .
Turns out , he’d remembered her all along .
Seeing Owen standing there , a little dazed , she called out , “ Owen ? ”
Snapping back to reality , he smiled . “ Sorry , I spaced out for a second . ”
“ I was about to go out and get groceries ,” she said, then hesitated , suddenly self – conscious about all the meals she’d freeloaded off him . “ Or … I could go get them this time ? ”
His eyes crinkled at the corners . “ How about we go together ? ”
Sunlight filled the hallway , bright enough that Aria could see every subtle change in Owen’s expression – and today , his smile was more radiant than
ever .
“ If you tell me what you need , I’ll get it , ” he offered./
She shook her head . “ I’ve got experience . Do you have time now ? ”
Aria nodded , pulling on her coat . “ Yeah , I do . ”
“ What do you want for dinner tonight ? ” Owen asked as they headed out .
“ I’m not picky . Anything is fine , ” she replied – then paused , realizing how natural it had become to eat at his place .
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Well , so be it . If he invited her , she’d go ,
When he found someone else , she’d quietly step back .
After all , sharing a meal with another person was much nicer than eating alone .
It was actually Aria’s first time inside a fresh market .
It was a bit crowded , but there was a warm , everyday buzz in the air .
Owen went for the cart , but Aria took it from him . “ Let me . You focus on picking out the food , ”
He grinned . “ Alright . ”
She followed him through the aisles , pushing the cart as he carefully selected vegetables and fruit .
When they finished , Owen took the cart from her hands . “ All set . ”
“ I’ve eaten at your place so many times – let me pay this time , ” Aria insisted .
“ If you want , ” Owen said simply , making no move to argue .
They waited in line together , and when their turn came , Aria paid and quickly picked up one of the grocery bags .
But Owen gently grabbed her hand for a second before switching the bags , passing her the lighter one . “ You take this one . ”
She didn’t argue , just accepted his gentlemanly gesture . “ Alright . ”