It Takes Two to Tango

Chapter 7: Escalation

Aria 💜

Saturday came with a sense of calm that was rare in the whirlwind of 'Star Strut.' It was our day off, the only day we had away from the constant scrutiny of cameras and microphones.

I lounged on the plush couch in the common area, the events of last night replaying in my mind. After the show, Ace had immediately walked off and I hadn't seen him since. Was he getting his rocks off with one of his groupies? Probably. I wouldn't put it past the womanizing rockstar.

It annoyed the hell out of me just thinking about him kissing me and then finding some fling to drown out the thought of it. I tried to convince myself that I didn't care.

The kiss, unexpected and stirring, left a tangle of thoughts that I couldn't quite unravel. Which I hated. I didn't sign up for this kind of emotional drama; it was becoming draining.

I shook thoughts of Ace's escapades out of my mind as I brought myself back to the present. Brianna and another castmate, Mark, a comedic actor, were with me.

Brianna, always the enthusiastic one, was gushing about our performance. "You and Ace were amazing last night, Aria! That kiss... Wow, talk about chemistry!"

I managed a smile, but her words only deepened the knot in my stomach. Was it just chemistry for the sake of the performance? Or something more? I hated to admit to myself that I was curious after experiencing the way my body reacted to Ace last night.

"Yeah, you guys really set the bar high," Mark chimed in, his tone light and teasing. "Though I have to say, that ending was... unexpected."

I shifted uncomfortably, the weight of their words heavy. "It wasn't planned," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what got into him... or me."

Brianna's demeanor shifted, the sparkle in her eyes dimming slightly to reveal a layer of calculation beneath her normally bubbly exterior. "It was just a performance, right?" she said, her tone light but carrying an edge. "No need to read too much into it. But," she added, pausing for effect, a sly expression flickering across her features, "it did seem rather intense, didn't it? Almost as if it went beyond your... arrangement with Ace."

I frowned, a sense of unease creeping in. "What are you getting at, Brianna? What arrangement?" Her words felt like they were laced with a hidden meaning, and I couldn't tell if I was being overly sensitive or if there was a tinge of passive aggression in her voice.

Brianna's smile broadened, seemingly innocent yet not entirely convincing. "Oh, nothing really. Just an observation. You know, after Ace's interview debacle, and now this. It's been quite a turnaround between you two, that's all." Her voice was smooth, but there was something in her tone that suggested she was probing, fishing for a reaction.

I kept my gaze fixed on her, searching for any sign of duplicity in her expression. Brianna maintained her composure, her smile unwavering, but the air was charged with unspoken implications, leaving me to wonder about her true intentions.

Just then, Josiah's approach instantly drew my attention away from my conversation with Brianna and Mark. He moved with an easy grace, a natural confidence that seemed to light up the room. His smile was warm, engaging, a stark contrast to the serious look in his eyes as he spoke. "Hey, Aria, can I steal you for a second? I need to talk to you about something important."

I nodded, a sense of relief washing over me as I excused myself from the others. Josiah guided me towards a quieter corner, away from the buzz of the house. His demeanor was earnest, a hint of nervous anticipation in his voice.

"I've been meaning to ask you this," he began, pausing briefly as if choosing his words carefully. "Are you... I mean, what's going on between you and Ace? That dynamic you both have... is it genuine? Because, honestly, Aria, I like you. I've been a fan of your podcast for a while now, and I truly admire your passion for black interests. You're an incredible woman, and I'd love to take you out sometime."