Hers To Love (complete) Cover By @army_ss841

Chapter 46

Ari stood at the lavatory, picking at an invisible thread on her shirt when Luca walked back in. My God he was so hot! She reached up and straightened his tie "you are a very handsome man, do you know that?" she asked. He smiled, taking her hand and placing it up to his lips and kissing it. "You tell me quite often but it's not something I will ever tire of hearing." he said earnestly. "Well" she sighed "let's go or Paulo will be beating the door down." He grinned following her out of the bathroom and turning out the light. They had just about reached the door when there was a knock. Luca spun around and looked at Ari and she just stood there laughing and waited for Luca to open the door. "What's so funny?" Paulo asked, truly confused. I patted his arm and said "Luca will explain it to you".

Ari was leaning on the bar when Paulo walked back in from outside. Her eyes looked a little watery. "What is it kiddo?" Paulo asked already knowing the answer to the question. "He told me he loved me". she answered. "And this is a problem?" Paulo questioned. "That's great!" he added. "Don't get me wrong, it is great, no it's wonderful actually but it makes it much more difficult letting him walk out that door knowing he has those feelings for me." Ari said. "Can I ask you something?" this from Paulo. Ari nodded. "Did you reciprocate those feelings?" "Of course I did!" Ari said excitedly. "It's just I never expected to hear them so soon is all." That was true. She'd figured after dinner at her place that night that she would continue to see Luca that they would get to know each other better but she never thought she would hear him say 'I love you' so soon. Was there such a thing as love at first sight? Who knew. Ari wanted it to be true. Was it naive? Maybe a little, but he did tell her he loved her and nothing she'd seen or heard since led her to believe he wasn't being honest. This was all new territory to her. She was going on mere feelings and sometimes it scared the crap out of her. He had told her he was ready to settle down but she just assumed it was something he was saying. But now she had to really believe this to be the truth.

"I'm starving" she said "what are you hungry for?" Paulo scratched his chin for a moment and replied "pizza?" "Do we have any of the frozen ones left" she asked. Paulo told her that they weren't going to do frozen tonight.  "What do you like on your pie?" asked Paulo.  Ari answered immediately "Italian sausage, mushroom and onion."  Paulo picked up his cell and dialed what she assumed was the same number they ordered Chinese through.  "Yeah it's me.  I wanna get one extra large pie.  Italian sausage, mushroom and onion, oh and extra cheese.  Get a six pack too.  45 minutes?  Okay see you then."  He hung up and asked Ari what she wanted to watch.  "I'm in a scary movie mood, let's watch Alien." she said.  Eating pizza, drinking beer and watching movies was her favorite past time, well after having Luca in her bed.  That was her favorite of all time!  She shivered thinking about his touch, what it did to her.  "Are you cold?" asked Paulo.  She shook her head and smiled at him.  "Just thinking about your boss." she said sweetly.  Paulo chuckled.  "So" she started "when do we get to meet the future Mrs. Paulo Enzio?"  He almost choked on his beer.  "Uh...there really isn't a 'future' Mrs. Enzio, just yet but I am kind of seeing someone.  You will get to meet her for Thanksgiving".  Really?  This was exciting news!  Ari started clapping.  "I'm so excited for you!  Where did you meet her?"  So Paulo went into the story about how he'd met her when he was at Santini's waiting on the interior designer with Lu.  Ahhh...so that's who she is.  Before he could go any further with his story, his cell phone rang.  He looked at the caller ID very strangely.  It didn't take too long to figure out why.  He handed the phone to Ari.  Who is it?  she mouthed.  He didn't say anything but continued to hold the phone out.  Okay this was bizarre.  Ari took the phone and said hello.  "Arienne darling this is Arabella Constanti, Luca's mother" said a very sweet disembodied voice.  Ari's face paled.  Luca's mother?  Oh my God!  "Mrs. Constanti!  How do you do?" Ari asked back.  "Dear, please call me Bella.  I am doing well thank you so much for asking.  I'm sure you are wondering why I have called you this evening."  Well maybe just a bit thought Ari.  "I wanted to let you know that Luca has invited us to Thanksgiving dinner and I know what a tiring thing it can be to cook for 12 people so I wanted to offer my services plus it would give me the opportunity to spend time with my son's girlfriend.  This would thrill me so much my dear.  Please say yes?"  How could she not acquiesce?  "Bella I think that would be a terrific idea!  As a matter of fact I am arranging to the have the decor delivered tomorrow.  My mother always liked to make the house look festive at the holidays so I try and keep up with the tradition."  They talked for a bit longer, exchanged numbers and then hung up.  Ari grinned at Paulo as she handed his phone back.  "What can you tell me about his mom?" she asked.  Paulo went on to tell her that Luca's mother was one of the sweetest women he'd ever met that when his mom died, when he was 12, Bella made sure that all the meals were arranged for an entire month, she kept her father engaged so he didn't sink into depression and Paulo was over at their house more than he'd already become accustom to.  Basically she helped keep his dad alive and thriving and for that he'd always be grateful.  His story was interrupted by the door.  Pizza, beer and movie time.