Quixotic (2)

25

Brian's eyes continued to glance across the room at the stunning woman dressed in red, and his friend noticed him staring, "Go talk to her, man." Sal finally suggested, shrugging his shoulders when his friend turned to look at him, "It's obvious --." He hummed, adding excitedly, "I mean, you like her, right?"

"She's something --." He hummed with a smile on his lips, his voice trailing to silence as he glanced back in her direction, "I mean, she's smart, beautiful, and adventurous --." He shrugged his shoulders nervously, asking, "What more could a man ask for in a woman?"

Later that evening, the crowd began to file out the front door, and he took a step toward the beautiful woman dressed in red, "Have I told you that you look absolutely, uh, stunning?" He asked, pulling her attention away from the camera held in her hands.

"You have, but I'd love to hear you say it again." She said with a playful smirk dancing on her lips. Shifting her body to face him, she watched as his eyes fell to look down at the slit of her dress.

She took a step toward him, and his eyes trailed up her figure until he met her eyes, "You make that dress look amazing." He hummed as he searched her eyes.

The crowd had dispersed, but the soft music still echoed through the house, "Great night, boys!" Pete exclaimed with a wide smile as he stepped forward to drape his arms over Sal and Murr. He looked up to see Aria, and flashed her a smile as he spoke, telling her jokingly, "One last photo, then you're free."

The four men and their crew huddled together at the center of the living room, and Aria snapped their photo. They separated, and a second wave of crew members filed out the front door, "I'll call you in the morning if I get any news." Pete called to the four men as he turned to walk away.

Brian eyes traveling over Aria's figure once more as he turned to see her placing her camera equipment in the bag. She looked up, finding his eyes resting on her. Her features flushing pink, and she turned back to look at her equipment, "Have you seen Mila?" She asked, quickly scanning the area.

Finding the child asleep on the couch, Brian pulled her small bag over his shoulder, then lifted her tiny figure against him. She was propped on his hip, her head resting against his shoulder as he stepped toward Aria, "Are they coming home with us tonight?" Eliza asked, catching Aria's attention.

The young girl glared at the woman, but positioned her eyes on her father, asking, "Can I sleep at Grandma's house?" He looked down to see Eliza with a frown on her features, and his heart dropped in his chest.

"Sure, kid." He hummed uncomfortably as he shifted to stand closer to Aria, sighing, "Whatever you want."

They exited the house and walked toward his jeep. Brian's heart rested low in his chest as he watched Aria positioning her bags on the floor board of the passenger side, and he moved to buckle Mila in the backseat. Looking up, he met his daughter's eyes for only a moment before she pulled away to face the window.

He pulled up to his parents' house and climbed out of the car, "This should only take a minute." He hummed to Aria, letting the door close behind him. The young girl ran around the front of the car without a pause, and quickly approached the large house. Aria watched as Brian kept his eyes on the ground, forcing a smile to his lips as his mother opened the front door.

"How was the party?" His mother asked with a smile as she looked down at the elegantly dressed child.

"Boring." Eliza growled, pushing her way inside and moving toward her father's old bedroom.

"Is she staying here tonight?" She asked as she followed the child's path with her eyes. She took a step back, but her son remained paused in the doorway as she hummed, "Come inside, Bri --."