Chapter 424
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“ When ? ” Aria asked , cutting right to the chase .
Dexter replied , “ Can you meet now ? ”
“ Sure . ” Aria sent him the name of the cafe . “ Come by yourself . ”
As she hung up , she caught the sound of someone crying in the background . “ Dexter , please save Hannah . ”
Dexter was about to leave when his mother grabbed his arm .
“ Mom , I have no way out . She deserves it . ”
“ Dexter , you have to try again ! Ask Zander , beg them to help Hannah . She’s my only daughter – your only sister . If we don’t help her , who will ? ”
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Dexter looked at his mother , voice cold . “ Mom , after everything Hannah did to Collin , you really think we should ? If it weren’t for her , Jazmin would never have cut us off .
“ You know how much Jazmin adored Collin , and thanks to Hannah’s lies and manipulation , Collin almost ruined his career . The whole art scene’s laughing at him now . ”
Relations between the families had gone cold because of Hannah – Zander was still supporting Dexter , but Hannah had burned bridges everywhere .
Penelope grew desperate , her voice trembling . “ What about Aria ? You were just on the phone with her , right if she drops the charges , we’ll give her anything she wants . ”
Dexter rubbed his temples , exasperated . “ You think I haven’t tried ? Everything that could be done has been done . Hannah even stole the National
Doctor’s Seal .
“ Now that Culver’s the new head of Todd School , if we keep pushing , Hannah will only get a harsher sentence . I need to return the Seal to Aria , and settle
this now . ”
He comforted his mother for a few moments , then left .
Penelope stayed where she was , seething . ‘ If it weren’t for Aria and Owen using their power , Hannah wouldn’t be in this mess for something so minor . And Zander pretends to be so generous , but look how quickly he turned on us . When my son’s in charge , I’ll make sure every slight is paid back . ‘
She forced herself to calm down and dialed a number . “ Keep an eye on Aria and Owen . Get me proof that the two of them are together . ”
At six , Aria got a message from Owen , inviting her over for dinner . She psyched herself up for a few minutes , then went .
Other than a little awkwardness , being around him felt almost normal .
After Owen finished washing the dishes , Aria pulled out the seal and set it on the table . “ Dexter gave this back . ”
Owen stared at it for a long time . “ Are you giving it back to me ? ”
It felt odd , passing it back after so many people had handled it .
Just as Aria reached out to take it , Owen suddenly picked it up himself . “ It doesn’t really mean anything anymore . Might as well take it back . ”
The seal had passed through so many hands , he figured it was better not to leave it with her .
Aria stood up , “ I’ll head out then . ”
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Owen nodded and started walking toward his bedroom . “ I’m gonna shower . I’ll come over to your place after .”
Aria froze , staring at his back as he disappeared down the hall . ‘ Come over to my place ? After a shower ? What’s he planning ? ‘
Owen , realizing how that sounded , stopped and turned back , explaining , “ I smell like cooking oil . ”
Aria let out a silent breath of relief , but still asked , “ Why are you coming over to mine ? ”
Usually she came to him , rarely the other way around .
Owen didn’t answer directly , just smiled mysteriously . “ You’ll see . ”
Half an hour later , the doorbell rang . Aria opened it to find Owen standing there in pale blue loungewear – coincidentally the same color as her own .
She hesitated , gripping the door a little too tight . “ Did you need something ? ”
Owen looked her straight in the eye . “ Would you go to the movies with me this Saturday ? ”
She wanted to ask why , then remembered the contract and her heart jumped . “ Sure , ” she managed .
Owen’s mouth curled into a smile . “ Can I hug you ? ”
Before she could react , he gently pulled her into his arms .
It was a soft embrace , their bodies almost touching .
Owen didn’t let go ; he just held her there .
Time seemed to stretch until Aria relaxed into him , her muscles unclenching , the awkwardness melting away .
She finally asked , “ Are you done ? ”
He slowly let her go , but before stepping back , he reached up and brushed a strand of hair away from her face . “ You’ll need to get used to this – hugs , kisses , living together … ”
Aria’s expression froze , but Owen just smiled and patted her head , “ Take your time . No rush . ”
She looked up and saw his ears – bright red , almost glowing
Owen tried to play it cool , gave her a little smile , then backed toward the door . “ Get some sleep . Goodnight . ”
Just as he reached for the doorknob , a hand shot out and grabbed his wrist .
He looked up , surprised , as Aria pulled him back inside and slammed the door .
Before he could process , she backed him up against it , pressed her body close , and – just like that – kissed him .
Owen’s mind went totally blank .
It was only the second time she’d kissed him , just like the first – soft , unmoving , her lips pressed to his .
One arm looped around his neck , the other pressed to the wall , trapping him between her and the door .
For a second , Owen was lost . Then , just as Aria was about to pull away , he wrapped one arrp around her waist , his other hand sliding up to cradle the back of her neck , and kissed her back .
It was different this time – no more shyness .
His kiss was a little rough , a little clumsy , but it was all him .
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His big hand tangled in her hair , and suddenly , he was leading and she was following .
Aria opened her eyes and met his dark and intense , not closed at all . Their breath mingled , hot and close .
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Her arm was still hooked around his neck . If this had been anyone else , she might have considered snapping their neck instead of kissing them , but this was Owen .
The instant he grabbed her nape , something deep in her relaxed .
She acted on instinct , like always . Last night it had been the atmosphere , but tonight ?
Maybe it was the warmth of his hug , or maybe she just got a kick out of seeing how red his ears got . Whatever it was , she wanted him .
They stood there , lips pressed together , gazes locked , saying nothing .
Then Aria reached up and covered Owen’s eyes with her hand .
He took it as a sign , parting his lips and gently biting down on hers , a little tentative , but eager to explore .
He tried to nudge her lips open , and for a second , it seemed like nothing else existed , until the doorbell rang , loud and jarring .
Both of them jerked apart , startled .
Owen felt a sharp sting on his lip , and suddenly Aria was gone , stepping back , dazed and breathless , lips still red from his kiss .
Owen glanced at her , eyes darkening with want .
The doorbell rang again , followed by frantic knocking .
“ Aria , open up ! Hurry ! ”
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