Aria POVPresent Day 5:15 pm“Oooowee, Auntie, you are so pretty!” Maya says.I smile down at her. “Thank you, sweet girl.”Well, I’ll admit, after Nia’s mom helped me tame my mane, which the humidity, chlorine, and everything else that works against 4A hair on a pool day had destroyed, I was finally feeling myself. Geraldine is a genius when it comes to hair. She gave me a sleek blowout with soft beach waves and set it with just the right products so it would actually last.Makeup was done, with thick added lashes. She insisted and said, and I quote: “Your eyes are still naked unless they look like Mr. Snuffleupagus.” I rolled my eyes, muttered “whatever,” and of course Nia cracked up.I’d brought three dresses with me: a short red mini, a black high-low cocktail dress, and the one I finally chose, which was a long, chocolate evening gown. It had long sleeves, an illusion sweetheart neckline (really a high neckline with mesh that matched my skin perfectly), and a defined satin waist
ARIA’S POV“Hey girl, you look amazing today,” Tony said, that greasy smile plastered on his face.I rolled my eyes, too bad he couldn’t see behind my sunglasses.“Can I help you, Tony?”“Well, just looking at you is helping me a lot,” he smirked. “But I was wondering… after the dinner tonight, maybe I could take you out?”I stared at him. “Tony, tonight’s dinner goes from seven to midnight. And the only thing open after midnight is legs and White Castles. I can promise you I’m not opening my legs to you.”His smile dropped. He scowled and stalked off.Good riddance.Maya swam over, giggling. “Who was that creepy man?”“A creepy man,” I said. “Ignore him.”She splashed her brother and laughed. That’s when I heard it...“Hey, Aria.”I looked up. And there he was.Jalen.Smelling good, looking better. Standing there like he owned the sun.I inhaled, forcing my face back into stone. I wasn’t giving him anything. Not even a twitch. And then, like clockwork, Talia’s assistant came bumbling
Jalen’s POVWe finally got into the car. Canaan was driving, and Amy, “Talia’s assistant” decided to ride with us. Talia remembered the announcement last night that the pool party was open for everyone, kids, friends, family, whoever.So, of course, Talia showed up in pink on pink, looking, or trying to look like Barbie. Amy, on the other hand, wore one of Talia’s black bathing suits with a white, long cover-up to her knees. Weird. Almost like she was trying to match me. I shook it off. Didn’t think too hard about it.When we pulled up, wristbands in hand, check-in was quick. I said my name, walked through. Talia said hers, added her plus one, and strolled right in.And then I saw her.Aria.My breath caught.She was standing there in her multicolored two-piece, sunglasses on, high bun, and skin glowing under the sun. The suit wasn’t even revealing. It was simple, modest, but the way it held her… the way she wore it… every curve, every line, every movement was killing me. When she sli
Jalen’s POV After the Meet and GreetI called for our driver, fingers tight around my phone. My head was a mess. The way Aria had looked at me, eyes steady, that damn smirk tugging at her lips. It wasn’t just a look; it was a challenge. And Tony… the way that asshole spoke to her like she was a prize to be passed around and I was livid. Beyond livid.I texted Caanan, our driver. Ten minutes, he replied. Good. I needed out of here.I went to find Talia. She’d slipped to the restroom after Kendall and Camille left. As I cut through the hallway, I froze. There, they were Talia and Tony, in a heated exchange. Her voice sharp, his jaw tight, both leaning in too close.The second I got within earshot, silence.I frowned. What the hell was that about?“Talia,” I said evenly, though suspicion burned under my tone, “the car’ll be here in five minutes. Let’s go.”She straightened, too quickly. “I’m coming.”Tony brushed past me, shaking his head, a smug smile cutting across his face. My hands
Aria’s POV Ben wrapped up his speech, and while everyone clapped, Nia and I were locked in a mini debate she was still undecided about bringing the kids tomorrow. I was trying to convince her to just enjoy herself, but before we could settle it, Michael strolled over, smirk already in place.“A little birdie told me you’re part of the Bright Initiative Group,” he said smoothly.I arched a brow. “I am. What do you need, Mr. Michael?”He leaned in slightly. “Can we talk outside?”I hesitated for half a beat, then nodded. “Sure.”The moment I stood, I could feel it, eyes burning into me. That weight on my back. Jalen. Always watching. Always lurking.We stepped out onto the balcony, cool air brushing against my skin. Out of the corner of my eye, there he was, pretending to scan the room like he’d lost something. Please. Subtlety has never been his strong suit.Michael cleared his throat and rested his hand lightly on my arm as he started talking. “So, my law firm runs a boarding house f
Aria’s POVFucking bitch.I couldn’t stand Talia. I wasn’t the one, or the two, hell, I am above the damn scoreboard. She better keep her distance, I thought, heading back toward the welcome center hall.The second I stepped inside, I smacked right into the human equivalent of herpes, Tony Arroyo.“Damn, baby,” he drawled, flashing that wide, fake Kool-Aid ass smile. “If you wanted me to touch you, you could’ve just asked.”Gross.“Hey, Tony. How’ve you been?” I asked flatly.“I was good, but now I’m great. Ran into you, didn’t I?”I rolled my eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck. Then I glanced at the poor woman hanging off his arm. One look at her face, and I could already tell that she was over him over this reunion, probably over life at this point.“Hi, I’m Aria,” I said warmly, reaching for her hand.“Crystal,” she replied, managing a small smile.“Nice to meet you.”And then I turned to Tony. “I’ve got some work to do, so… talk later.”He smirked, eyes dragging over me l