Jace arrived at Aria's doorstep, dressed in a dark suit that he hoped was appropriate for their date. Though maybe he should have gone more casual. A suit was probably too formal for a night out in a small town. Though they weren't staying in town. Jace planned to drive them thirty minutes away into the next town over, which was much more metropolitan. So maybe the suit was the right call?
He didn't have time to stress over it any longer. As soon as Aria opened the door, he was struck by how beautiful she looked. Jace watched as Aria approached, a slow smile playing on his lips. He was captivated by her, his gaze drawn to her like a moth to a flame. From his perspective, she was the embodiment of elegance and grace, her simple dress showcasing her natural beauty.
The dress, a soft shade of lavender, hugged her figure modestly, its silhouette simple yet flattering. The subtle floral pattern on the fabric whispered of spring and renewal, reflecting the hope he felt blossoming in his heart. The dress accentuated her curves, falling just above her knee, lending her an air of understated elegance.
Her dark hair was pulled back into a loose bun, tendrils escaping to frame her face. The setting sun cast a warm glow on her skin, highlighting the soft blush on her cheeks. Her eyes, always expressive and vibrant, sparkled with anticipation. Her lips, painted a light rose, were curved into a shy smile, radiating warmth and inviting him in.
Jace stepped closer. Stepped or was pulled, he wasn't sure. He didn't care. He was prepared to follow this woman to the ends of the earth if she'd let him.
"Wow," he breathed, his eyes lingering on her for a moment too long. "You look absolutely stunning, Aria."
"Thank you, Jace. You look pretty handsome yourself."
Jace's heart raced at her compliment. In that moment, he knew he'd made the right decision with the suit. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her right then and there. But he knew it was too soon, and instead, he offered her his arm and led her to his car.
As they drove to the restaurant, Jace stole glances at Aria. The way the setting sun illuminated her face, the way her hair blew in the wind through the open window. It all made him feel alive. Peaceful. Settled.
His foot didn't tap against the floorboard of the car as the traffic slowed them down. His mind wasn't racing ahead to tomorrow and making lists of what needed to be done, along with a Plan B, C, and D for contingencies if Plan A went wrong. He was completely in the moment, tuned in to the woman sitting next to him.
"You know," he finally said, breaking the comfortable silence between them, "I was nervous to ask you out."
"I know," she said. "I was nervous to say yes."
"I know."
Jace smiled at her, the feeling of nervousness and excitement growing inside him. This was a chance to get to know Aria on a deeper level, to see if there was a real connection between them. He was determined to make this date a night to remember.
The restaurant was cozy and intimate, the perfect setting for a romantic dinner. As they sat down, Jace took a deep breath and tried to steady his racing heart. The woman sitting across from him had pulled all of his attention, but now that he was settled in his seat, he began to take in more of his setting.
It was a busy night, and the restaurant was crowded. Though he had a good line of sight to the exits, they were sitting in the middle of the commotion. Jace had trouble not scratching the itch to constantly glance over his shoulder. He could feel the anxiety building inside him, the noise and movement of the people around him making him feel like he was back in the war zone. But he didn't want to show weakness in front of Aria. He knew that any notion that he still carried any trauma with him would change her mind.
Aria, being the perceptive woman that she was, noticed. She reached out to gently touch his hand. "Are you okay, Jace?"
Jace forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just not used to being around so many people."
"I understand that crowds can be overwhelming for you."
They hadn't been the other day in her café, which had been packed with townsfolk. True, he'd met many of them during the beach cleanup event. That had been a bit crowded, too. But he'd been in a wide-open space as people had introduced themselves, and he'd gotten to know them on an individual basis, like Michael. They were in the next town over, and none of these faces were familiar.
Still, Jace felt a wave of relief wash over him, grateful that Aria could see through his façade. He took a few more deep breaths, focusing on her comforting touch. Her fingers remained on his, and Jace began to feel a sense of calm, like a warm blanket wrapping around him.
Though her fingers were a bit stiff. Her eyes darted here and there around the restaurant, as though her mind were somewhere else. The air was charged between them, but he felt a polarity shift.
"You love to be in a crowd, though. That's why you run a café and organize community events."
"I love to be in my community," Aria corrected, taking her hand back as the waiter arrived with their main courses. "I've known the people there since I was born. They're my family."
"I only knew the men and women in my unit for a fraction of my life. But I would trust each and every one of them with my life. And they would say the same."
"People change, though. I knew my ex-husband all of my life, and he changed right before my eyes."
Her eyes went distant again. Looking back into a past where Jace couldn't reach her. He was in the midst of asking her more about the community forum to change the topic when it happened.
A loud crash cut through the restaurant. It was the unmistakable sound of a tray hitting the floor, the clatter of silverware echoing like a burst of gunfire, followed by a few yelps of surprise as diners shuffled in their chairs to move out of the way.
Jace's muscles tensed, his body reacting instinctively to the sudden, jarring noise. His eyes darted to the source of the sound, a young waiter who had dropped his tray, his face red with embarrassment. Instead of going on full alert or rising from his seat to protect the precious asset sitting across from him, Jace took a deep breath and steadied himself.
He turned back to Aria, ready to launch back into their conversation but stopped when he saw the panic in her eyes. She had gone pale, her hands trembling slightly as she looked at him with a mix of fear and concern. She was reacting not to the crash itself, but to what she feared it might do to him. Or what she'd experienced in the past with her ex-husband.
Jace reached across the table, covering her trembling hand with his. "Aria," he said, his voice steady and calm. "It's okay."
"The sound... I thought it might..." She trailed off, her words choked by her worry. Her eyes searched his, looking for some kind of sign.
Jace squeezed her hand gently. "Everything's okay, I promise."
She let him lace his fingers with hers. It did not stop hers from trembling.
