Aria Rose
Ben devoured every word in Aria’s open letter in People Magazine. His heart both roared to life and shattered to pieces as he read. Pride swelled in his chest at her strength, inhaling deeply. In the same moment, every part of him ached to hold her. To take away the pain behind every word she’d written.
She'd laid herself bare in front of the world in an entirely different way, and refused to apologize for it. He loved her so much more in this moment than he’d ever thought possible.
The comments section was in the thousands already—so much of it positive and commending her—but it was an editor's note at the bottom that caught Ben's attention.
The author would also like to thank Shepherd Film Studios for their swift action in not only denouncing the actions of Russell Rains, director, and removing him from their current project, but assisting in the police investigation regarding his release of nonconsensual, intimate photographs of the author.
Waves of relief and sadness tumbled through him as he sat back in his chair. So, she'd seen what he'd done, how he'd tried to fix his mistakes, and yet, she still hadn't reached out to him. It had changed nothing for her.
Not that he'd done it for that reason, because he certainly had not. He'd done it because it was right, and because he wasn't going to run a company that would be associated with such vile behavior. Rains had received a small settlement for the work he'd done, and been removed from the project immediately. Ben had been the first person down at the police station giving a statement to aid in their investigation.
Thankfully, he wasn't being held legally responsible, though he'd told the police exactly what he'd done and what a drastic error he'd made. Law enforcement only had their eyes on Russell, because the victim had refused to press charges against anyone but him.
She'd saved him, both legally, and in the press, with her statement.
He'd promised to be there for her—no matter what. He was supposed to have protected her, and not only did he fail spectacularly at that, but she'd had to come to his rescue.
Ben opened up his draft folder one more time and pulled up the email he'd been wanting to send for two weeks. Finally, he clicked send.
Aria,
I should have told you weeks ago. I was wrong—so wrong. Don't forgive me. I just needed you to know. I'm sorry.
Ben
He wanted to say more. He wanted to tell her he should have chased after her and begged her forgiveness. He wanted to tell her he couldn't stop thinking about her, and that he'd read her article and seen her in the press and was so damn proud of her. He wanted to praise her for championing women, standing tall in the face of such adversity.
But telling her any of that would have been for him. To ease his guilt, his heartbreak. She deserved better than having to appease his pain.
Suddenly, an idea hit him. Ben grabbed his phone and scrolled through his contact list until he found the number he needed.
After two rings, the other side picked up. "Hello?"
"Hi, Travis. It's Ben Lawson. I've got a new project I'm about to start, and I'd like your help with it."
"A new movie?"
Ben shook his head, even though Travis couldn't see him. "Not exactly. Can you come by the offices first thing Monday morning? We need to move quickly on this."
"Sure. I'll see you then."
Ben was about to hang up, but then quickly added, "Hey, Travis. One last thing—if you're still in contact with Aria, please don't mention anything about this to her."
"Uh...okay. Strange, but I can do that."
"Thanks, man. See you Monday." Ben hung up the phone feeling a surge of excitement, closing his computer. He stood and grabbed his keys, then headed for his car.
Ben dropped into the driver’s seat and then scrolled through his contacts again, dialing another number this time. "Arthur, meet me at Shepherd Films."
"What? It's Saturday. I've got plans with a nine iron."
"See you in thirty minutes," Ben replied, ignoring him. "We've got a lot to do, and a really short amount of time to get it all done."
Arthur sighed, clearly exasperated. "Bloody hell. See you in thirty."
Ben gunned the car and raced out of his driveway. It would be a miracle if he could pull off his idea, but if he could, it would not only be fantastic for the studio, but for Aria and the film as well.
An invigorated sense of purpose came over him, inspired by Aria's article. For the first time since taking this job, Ben felt a true excitement for his position. He could do more than just make movies.
He had the power to change things, and that was exactly what he planned to do.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
"Oh, Aria." Betty Reynolds sighed, her hands over her heart. "You look stunning. Absolutely perfect."
Aria twirled slowly on the platform, standing in front of three mirrors in the dressing room of a high-end gown shop in the heart of Beverly Hills. "Do you really like it?"
"Girl, 'like it' doesn't do this dress justice." Steele came up behind her and fluffed out the back her dress, letting the short train fan out perfectly around her.
Dark, emerald green with sparkling crystals sewn into the bodice, the long gown wrapped around her neck and completely covered the front of her torso, while leaving her entire back bare. It stopped right above her butt, and thanks to double-sided tape, there were no worries of it dipping lower.
"I mean, the color alone is perfect," Steele continued. "With your pale skin and blond hair, it's such an amazing contrast. My brain is already kicking into overdrive right now thinking about what I'm going to do for your makeup."
"Mom, this isn't too much? It's just a premiere..."
"Sweetheart, this is your first premiere for your first movie as the starring lead. There's no dress that could ever be too much for that, plus this dress is perfect red carpet material."
"Best Dressed List without a doubt," Steele agreed. "And think of Ben's face when he sees you. Ooh, talk about revenge!"
"Steele!" Aria admonished, even though her romance with Ben was certainly no secret with these two. "I do not want revenge on Ben. I'm over him."
"What's that have anything to do with it?" Steele teased. "I want all my exes to miss me every moment of every day for the rest of their miserable lives. Serves them right for losing the best they ever had."
"Jesus H. Christ. Aria, don't take advice from this woman." Her mother pointed at Steele and gave her an annoyed look.
Steele just stuck her tongue out at her. "Unless it's about makeup."
Aria laughed. "You two love each other. Stop pretending to fight."
"We're not fighting," Steele replied.
"We're not," Betty agreed. "Except about getting revenge on exes. If you've moved on, great. Don't pay him any mind on the red carpet."
"I might have to take a picture or two with him..." Knots formed in Aria's stomach as she thought about it. She hadn't seen Ben in several months, and she was dreading the moment. Her anger had barely dissipated, despite the fact that it felt like so long ago now.
The last two months had been a whirlwind of press and attention that, thanks to her mother, she'd been able to spin in a pretty positive direction. She'd taken what had happened to her and used it as a platform to speak about gender equality and women's rights.
When the media discovered Russell had been let off the hook with only a $2,500 fine from the state of California for ‘revenge porn,’ there had been an absolute uproar from women's organizations across the country. He'd been blacklisted from every studio in Hollywood and ended up moving to New York City where, last she'd heard, he was trying unsuccessfully to get a job directing an indie film.
The support for her had been overwhelming and what had initially been a slut-shaming witch hunt had turned into a female empowerment campaign.
Aria couldn't be prouder to be able to spearhead the movement. She and her sisters, with the guidance of their mother, had even started their own non-profit to help actre
sses find equal representation in Hollywood, and ensure their rights were being protected on the job, as well as raising awareness and conducting self-affirmation outreach for young women looking to break into the business.
It was the start of a new chapter in her life, and she was unbelievably excited for all of it. She'd even secured several auditions in the coming weeks for movies with themes that supported her new mission. Her entire future was starting to take shape, and she felt enriched by the experience.
And yet, her heart ached when she went to bed at night in the apartment she'd spent so many nights with Ben. She hated that she had re-read his email to her no less than five thousand times. She'd picked up the phone to call him again and again, but stopped. The facts still remained the same—as sorry as he was, he'd still betrayed her. How did she get past that?
If she knew the answer to that, then maybe she'd call. Until then, she felt mired in her anger toward him. She couldn't forgive him...even if some part of her really wanted to.
Steele held still a tall pair of emerald stilettos and helped her step into them. Aria wiggled her toes into each, and waited as her friend strapped them.
"Are you going to be okay with seeing him tomorrow?" Her mother rubbed her upper arms comfortingly. "You looked so sad when we mentioned him."
Aria looked at her mother in the mirror's reflection. "I am sad, I think. I really, really liked him, and he completely destroyed that...but I'll be okay."
Betty sighed and shook her head. "Love is a tricky thing."
"We weren't in love," Aria lied, not wanting to admit it out loud—even to her mother. Hell, the idea was crazy, anyway. Their relationship had been so intense that she might just have confused it with love. "We weren't together long enough for that."
Her mother shrugged. "I knew I loved your father on our second date."
"I knew Xavier was 'the one' two weeks in," Steele chimed in, standing after she'd finished with Aria's shoes. "I was probably head-over-heels in love with him even sooner than that."
"Really?" Aria twirled in the mirror again, checking her dress from every angle with the height of her shoes.
"When you know, you know. Look at your father and me now—almost thirty years together." Her mother held up her cell phone and took a picture of her in the dress. "Gorgeous. I'm going to show him when we get back. The old man can't figure out texting."
Aria and Steele both laughed at that, but then Steele got back to business. "So, are we a 'go' on the dress? Honestly, we don't have time to find another one and get it fitted."
"We don't need to. I love it." Aria stepped off the platform and both Steele and her mother helped her get it off over her head and onto the rack. "You'll be over around noon to do hair and makeup?"
"Yeah, just text me the room number at the hotel."
Aria nodded, having already booked a hotel close by so they wouldn't travel far in her dress and would have the space to get ready. "I will."
"And go to bed early tonight and sleep in tomorrow. No circles under those eyes," Steele instructed. "You, too, Mama Reynolds. If I'm doing you and all the sisters, I need happy canvases."
Betty laughed. "So demanding."
"The best always is," Steele called over her shoulder as she rolled the rack with the dress out of the fitting room, since she'd be steaming it and bringing it to the hotel tomorrow.
Aria got dressed in the jeans and T-shirt she'd arrived in. "Ready, Mom?"
She was excited to get to the hotel and have a girls’ night-in with her sisters, but even more excited for tomorrow. Strangely enough, after talking to her mother and Steele, the thing that excited her most had nothing to do with her first red carpet as lead actress or the movie screening.
A thrill rushed through her at the very thought of seeing Ben…his chiseled jaw, dark hair, and rugged masculinity. The way he'd felt with his arms wrapped around her, his body pressing down on top of her, pushing inside her...the memories warmed every part of her body.
The anger she felt toward him only seemed to spear her desire further, like she couldn't tell where her rage ended and passion began. She’d spent months trying to keep those thoughts and feelings at bay, but now…
Aria swallowed hard, shoving away the ache in her chest as she suddenly worried she wasn't as over Ben as she'd been telling herself.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
"ARIA, LOOK OVER HERE!" Ben watched as photographers shouted for Aria to turn this way and that, lights flashing all over the red carpet. Smiling seductively, she peered back over her right shoulder at them, one hand on her hip.
She hadn't seen him yet, and he was happy to keep it that way for a moment. Watching her like this, strong and confident, adorned in diamonds and a gorgeous emerald gown...it was everything he'd ever wanted for her. This was her moment, and she looked like she'd been destined for it her entire life.
"ARIA, TAKE ONE WITH HIM!" a photographer shouted, pointing at Ben.
Aria's eyes widened, a glimmer of fear crossing her face when she turned to see where the photographer was pointing. Her shoulders relaxed when she saw him, however, and she gave him a small, tentative smile.
Ben approached her slowly, trying to calm the nerves in his stomach. "Hello, Aria."
She tilted her head to the side slightly. "Hello, Ben."
"Can I give you a hug?" He stretched his arms out, inviting her in.
"Sure." She slid her arms around his waist and he hugged her to his chest, despite the frenzy of cameras going off behind them.
It was only a few seconds before they let go, but it felt a million times longer and absolutely too short at the same time. Everything about her felt exactly like he remembered—warm and soft, delicate and tough.
She has to feel this, too.
Or maybe he just wished she was. Ben's mind raced as he considered everything that was about to happen. The movie premiere. His secret project. Travis's daring help.
"Let's take a picture together." She pulled away quickly, but left one arm wrapped around his waist as they both turned to the photographers and smiled. "For the fans."
"Sure. Just for the fans."
He wasn't buying her excuse.
A few minutes later, the cast and crew, along with the members of the press, were seated in the theatre as the opening credits for Scarlet's Letters began to roll.
Ben sat a row behind Aria, a few seats away, and overly aware of her presence. Sitting behind Aria for two and a half hours was literal hell. Being this close and still not being able to touch her, hold her, kiss her...damn, it was near impossible.
He barely paid attention to the movie. He didn't really need to since he'd seen it before the screening several times as the studio prepped it for release. Instead, his eyes were on her. The way she tilted her head back when she laughed, or brushed her fingers against her cheek to wipe away a tear. She was everything he remembered and more, and he was even more certain now than ever before that she was the only woman he'd ever love until the day he died.
She was it for him.
Ben waited for the final credits to roll, breathless for her to discover what he'd put together for the end. Not because he wanted her to come running back to him—though he'd definitely never turn her away—but because they were going to change lives, and she'd been the inspiration for it. Ben couldn't help but wish his father was here tonight, because he'd always told him this was the point of art.
The paycheck, the fame, the attention...it was nothing compared to the chance to impact people in a real way. To impact the world.
This is so surreal. Aria was fairly certain she'd never get used to moments like this. Standing on the red carpet earlier had been crazy enough, but here she was watching the credit roll after the screening of her very first big-budget film.
"That's you!" Tegan, Aria's sister, grabbed her arm and pointed to the big screen. Aria's name was displayed directly beneath Travis, who was seated on her other side, the followed by the rest of the cast.
A few m
onths ago, she hadn't been sure she still had a career, and a few years ago, no one had known her name. Now her name was on a giant silver screen in front of the most influential names in Hollywood.
"So exciting!" Aria whispered back to her sister, then squeezed Travis's hand. "Travis, that was amazing! You were fantastic!"
"You were even better!" Travis whispered to her. "I'm so fucking nervous!"
"Why? It's over!"
He held her hand between both of hers, leaning closer to her. "It's just beginning. This is it, Aria."
"This is what?"
"The moment everything changes," he replied, then turned and gave a thumbs-up sign to Ben who was sitting a row behind them. "The moment the entire world learns who we are. Who I am."
Aria looked between them, then back at the screen, completely confused. Ben nodded back at Travis, smiling that rugged, sexy smile that made her stomach flip flop with excitement. Her skin felt like it'd been on fire since the moment he'd touched her, and concentrating on anything else was becoming increasingly difficult.
Hugging him on the red carpet had been almost too much for her. He'd felt comfortable...safe. The feeling caught her off guard, since she'd spent the last two months thinking the exact opposite.
"What's going on, Travis?" she asked, turning away from Ben. Clenching her jaw, Aria tried to find her anger toward Ben. Tried to find the pain she'd once felt at his betrayal. How he'd been just like every other man in her life. But...something didn't feel very real about that anymore.
"Watch the screen," he whispered back, pointing to where the credits were just ending, the lights in the theater still dim.
The audience suddenly gasped, and Aria's mouth fell open.
Travis appeared on the screen, completely nude except for skin-colored undergarments and a giant red "A" painted on his chest. He held a sign by his side, but didn't have it turned to face the camera just yet.