Was Blue fishing for more information? Arianna drew in a deep breath. Her heart was beating fast and hard again. So hard it burned her chest. “Listen, Blue, I’m not gonna go there again. It’s over between Christian and me. End of story. Okay?”
“Okay. It’s just that…well, you were so happy when you guys were together. Are you sure you can’t work things out?”
“No. I mean, yes. I’m sure.”
“Ari, look at me. I’m your girl, remember? You and me go way back. Back to high school. Come on. It’s me you’re talking to here. What really happened?”
“Nothing. Nothing, Blue. I… Never mind.”
“Oh, no. It’s not about…your parents, is it?”
“No.”
“Why don’t you tell him what’s up with your mom and dad? I’m sure he’ll understand, Arianna. Don’t do this to yourself.”
“Blue, I know you care about me and I appreciate it. Really, I do but…I think it’s best I just stick to my plan and stay a bachelorette. Maybe I’ll go visit a sperm bank when I’m ready to have kids.”
“Ari!”
“No, seriously, Blue. He wouldn’t understand.”
“Why don’t you try him, Ari? I’ve interviewed him before. I’ve gotten a chance to know Christian. I’ve done a lot of research on most of the Romeros. He’s a good man. He really is. And he is so in love with you. I see the way he looks at you whenever you guys are...or I should say, were together.”
Arianna’s heart sank to the floor. Blue was probably right but she just couldn’t handle any kind of rejection. No. He would surely reject her if he found out about her family history. What was worse, she could end up losing everything. Everything! It was a risk she just wasn’t willing to take. Not now. No way in hell. But what really crushed her spirit was not being able to have sweet, sexy Christian Romero in her life again. He was…her first love.
He was the first guy she’d really trusted to go all the way with. He’d been so gentle and loving with her. Respectful. He treated her like a treasured queen. She could still feel the silky touch of his warm skin on hers, running her fingers down his smooth, muscular body. The heat of his passion left her begging for more. He pleasured and pleased every inch of her body with his lips, his soft touch and his caresses. She’d never experienced such an erotic avalanche of emotions before meeting him. He was and would always be her one true love.
Yet, sadly, she could never have him again—except in a locked chamber that held her memory of their time together.
“Really, Ari. How long can you really keep this up?”
“As long as I need to, Blue. It’s called survival. I can’t handle…I mean, I can’t…do this. It could destroy my family.”
“I understand your fear of losing your family,” Blue empathized, her eyes now downcast.
Arianna wanted to curse herself. “I’m sorry, Blue. I know you’ve had it rough. Oh, God!”
“It’s okay, Ari. I’ve come to terms with things. My mom and dad are no longer around. And I’ve come to accept it.”
“Did you find out about what really happened in that fire? Was it arson or accident?”
“Well, the report said accident and you know what? It doesn’t make sense to stress over it. It’s not like it would bring them back. In fact, it may bring me closer to them if I stress over it too much, if you know what I mean. Stress can kill!”
“Blue?” Arianna grinned in spite of herself. “Well, it’s good to see that you have a good, strong mentality over the whole thing. How’s Courtney?”
“Well, you know my little sis. Happy as hell.”
Arianna smiled.
“She’s just as thrilled as I am, Arianna. They’ve absorbed her right into their family, too. The Romeros are so amazing and wonderful. They’re a close-knit, strong family. Everybody looks out for each other, you know?”
“I know.”
“I thank the universe every day that I’ve come to know them. My God! I lost my family and it’s as if I was given a new one—not that anyone could ever replace my mom and dad, but having this love, this void filled by these wonderful people is like…wow, amazing.”
Arianna laughed.
“What’s funny?” Blue asked, hand on hip.
“Toni Romero. I bet you he’s still the same Toni, huh?”
Blue laughed, too. “Oh, God. The family wouldn’t be the same without Granddad Romero. I love Toni. He lays it on the line, says whatever is on his mind. And I mean anything. He tells it like he means it.”