Illicit Love

19| New Year

6 months later

Aria's POV

New year, same me. Why would I want to change into someone new? I'm already content with who I've been for the past years.

"Happy New Year, sis." My brother Ben comes up to me and gives me a warm hug.

"Happy New Year. I love you, Ben." I rub his back.

I was currently in Toronto, Canada with Ben and his wife and kids. My sister Lucy was here with her family along with my brothers, Austin and Sean. We were all reunited spending the holidays together.

We spent Christmas at Lucy's in New York City because it's the best place to celebrate it. The times we share together, I will never forget. I love my siblings and wouldn't trade them for anything.

"How's San Francisco treating you?" Asked my brother Austin.

"Pretty good, actually." I take a sip of my hot chocolate, reminiscing about the last few months.

After my whole breakup with James, Cain was completely understanding of the situation and gave me space. He gave me all his love and support and was there for me as a friend. He never stopped being my friend. We got a lot of work done and kept the personal things out of our way.

Yes, it was tough, but I managed to overcome it. At this point in my life, I am happy. I have my amazing family and friends to support me.

The last time I saw Cain was in December. My vacation started on December 20th, and he dropped me off at the airport that day. He gave me my present that day since we weren't going to see each other for a while. It was a necklace with my name and birthstone on it. It was so beautiful.

This time apart will serve us time to think about what's going to happen in the future.

"The kids are all asleep." Lucy's husband and Ben said to all of us as we sat in the living room getting ready to play Charades.

"Girls versus boys." Sean said as he drank from his bottle of beer.

"There's only three of us though." Ben's wife, Natalie, said.

"Nat, don't worry. We're still going to beat them." Lucy challenged.

"We will see about that, shorty." Austin messed with Lucy's hair as he entered the living room.

The boys were up first. Sean trying to imitate a farmer milking a cow had to be one of the funniest things ever. I should have recorded it.

"Jerking off!" Austin yelled.

"Quiet down! My kids could hear you." Ben hushed him up.

Long story short, they lost and we won. Girls run the world.

We were all getting ready to go to bed when Lucy pulled me into the kitchen. "What's up with you and Cain, Aria?"

"What do you mean? We work together and are really good friends, that's all." I said.

"Lily was telling me something else." Lucy folded her arms.

"Remind me to superglue Lily's mouth when I see her." I put my cup in the sink.

"After what happened with James, you deserve to be happy, Aria. It's time you meet someone, fall in love and get married. I want to see my little sister in a wedding dress marrying the man she loves. Mom and dad would've loved it, too." She smiled at me.