Page 36 of A Sweet Mess

“Eureka.”

Aubrey was panting and sweat-drenched by the time she returned to the villa a couple hours later. It was freakishly difficult to climb uphill with the sun pounding down on her. She’d had most of her supplies delivered to the villa, but the bike moved as though it were pulling a carriage via her leg power.

The sky-blue tank top she’d donned this morning was stuck to her like a second skin, and her underwear was soggy with sweat. She was going straight to the pool and jumping in with her clothes on.

When she saw a red Mercedes parked in front of the villa, Aubrey groaned out loud. She wasn’t expecting anyone and felt the opposite of hospitable. Then her groan descended into a miserable moan.

Their unannounced guest was as stunning in person as she was in the pictures. Tall, statuesque, and glamorous.How can the woman look so perfect on a sweltering day like this?While Aubrey would never be able to compete with her in the looks department, she was mortified that her first meeting with Aria Santini would be at her stickiest, smelliest moment.

Aubrey considered running for the bushes, but Aria spotted her from across the driveway. With no other choice, she dismounted the beach cruiser, almost falling flat on her face when her exhausted legs buckled. She righted herself like a gangly camel and manipulated her red sweaty face into what she hoped was a nonchalant expression.I so am not fangirling.

Aria hurried toward her with a shining smile, her handsclasped in front of her perfect bosom. Before Aubrey could utter a laid-backhey,Aria drew her into a firm embrace, profuse perspiration and all.

“Oh,mio dio!” Aria said in a lyrical voice. “It’s so good to meet you.”

Aria was not a diva from hell as Aubrey had feared. Her voice, her smile, and her genuine warmth made Aubrey’s awkwardness melt away.

“Um… hi. Aria Santini, right?”

“Just Aria.” She linked her arm through Aubrey’s and led them toward the villa. “I’m sorry to drop in without notice. I don’t have your number, but I thought I’d still come and introduce myself. I’ve been dying to meet you.”

“Me?” Aubrey was still dazed, but she belatedly remembered her manners. “Well, it’s lovely to meet you, Aria. Let’s go inside before we melt into a puddle out here.”

When Landon walked into the villa, tugging at his tie, he was hit with the sound of melodic laughter and mouthwatering aromas. Having spotted the red Mercedes out front, he wasn’t surprised. Good food and booming laughter followed Aria wherever she went. Her love for life and cooking was highly contagious. Landon had known Aria for almost a decade, and she was one of his closest friends. Unfortunately, she also had a penchant for occasional mischief. She might be perpetuating some on him right now.

Groaning inwardly, he strode into the kitchen. Aubrey’s expression flickered mid-laugh, and she quickly lowered her lashes.How much has Aria been grilling her?When Aubrey glanced back up, he searched her eyes.Too quiet, too guarded.

Not bothering to hide his irritation, he walked over to Aria and leaned down to place a light peck on her cheek. “Aria.”

“Well, hello there.” Humor shimmered in her eyes. “I was just getting acquainted with my guest chef.”

Landon glowered at her. Grown men cowered when faced with his anger, but Aria shrugged and lightly tossed her hair with abite megrin.Why am I still friends with the woman?he wondered.

Then Aria returned her attention to the subject of her curiosity, who was watching their interaction with a faint smile.

“Now that Landon’s here, we should open that bottle of champagne and celebrate properly.”

“Celebrate what?” Landon asked cautiously, not knowing what scheme his impetuous friend had brewed.

“Her new dessert, of course. It’s simply divine.” Aria was brimming with excitement.

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Aubrey said, her cheeks turning a lovely pink.

“I’m sure it’s that and more,” he said.

Landon was so in awe of her. Her sweet buns—something she’d baked for him and only him—were amazingly good. It was nothing short of magic how she could make something so simple into something extraordinary. A couple seconds lapsed in silence before he realized he was staring at Aubrey again. He tugged at his collar.

“I’m a little overdressed for the celebration. I’ll join you ladies in a few minutes.”

Aria, who hadn’t missed the longing in his gaze, crossed her eyes at him. With a warning glare and more than a little trepidation, Landon headed for his room.

After splashing some cold water on his face, he studied his reflection. His hair stood up on spiky ends from dragging his fingers through it repeatedly. He’d driven back to the villa filled with restless excitement, knowing Aubrey would be here. It felt like he was coming home to her. It was a terrifying thought. He had no home. Aubrey was not his. And still, he hoped and yearned.

Exhaling roughly, he turned his back on the mirror. Landon didn’t like himself too much at the moment. He couldn’t touch her even though his body was screaming for her. If he gave in to the wild attraction between them, people could paint her as a woman who’d slept her way to success and bury her with sick glee. He wanted to punch a hole through the wall, but he opted to pull on a black T-shirt and well-worn jeans to rejoin the celebration in the kitchen.

“You took your sweet time.” Aria smirked. “Did you have to shave your legs?”

Aubrey choked on her bubbly water.

---