𝟎𝟖- 𝐏𝐈𝐙𝐙𝐀

CHAPTER EIGHT

Pizza.

❂

"SHE really likes you, babe." Parker smiled cheerfully, tucking her blue mat underneath her arm.

Aria gave a small smile back, "Yeah she's really sweet. I just think I need time to adapt to it all."

The blonde nodded understandingly, "We've all been friends for a long time so I get it. I'm just happy that you two are trying something new."

Aria hummed, now focusing on making it out of the building safely.

After the earlier hours of her morning, she had been so much more hesitant with her surroundings. If it wasn't already enough that she was a young woman that men targeted, she now had a certain dark haired woman technically stalking her.

Once the contract had been signed, Memphis wasted no time in leaving with the paper and her wallet. Aria was still shaken up from the abrupt morning, so she simply cuddled up with Sade in bed before it was time for her to meet Parker.

There were so many thoughts running through her mind, possibilities and questions. It was in that very moment when Memphis had her hand around Aria's throat— that Aria truly realized the mistake she had made.

If she hadn't stolen the brunette's wallet she wouldn't have felt so trapped.

Now, she had basically agreed to become Memphis' property.

All for the sake of money.

Aria wanted to both celebrate and cry out of frustration.

Yes, her pockets would be fuller than usual, but her morals just didn't seem right.

And Memphis had a certain aura of dominance that challenged Aria's stubbornness.

Aria hated it.

"Oh my God!" Parker squealed, looking down at her phone once they had made it to their cars, "Ethan's parents are heading over. It totally slipped my mind."

Aria laughed, placing her belongings in her back seat before standing up fully. She knew how much Parker cherished her relationship with her in-laws. Anytime they were entering the city, Parker had a whole ritual of cleaning to perform.

"Go ahead and head home, P. I'll text Kiera to come over for lunch or. . . something." Aria stated with a smile.

Parker smiled at the suggestion, "You two are the cutest. Okay! Bye, bye." the blonde blew air kisses towards her friend as she slid into her black Range Rover.

Aria laughed and did the same, exhaling the moment she was settled inside.

She bit down on her bottom lip, contemplating her text to Kiera.

"Come on Aria. She's just a friend right now." Aria mumbled to herself while grabbing her phone from the cupholder, "We can still hangout without it being awkward."

Before she could think too much of it, Aria sent a text to her, currently best friend, about coming over for lunch.

With a sigh, the redhead tossed her phone into the passenger's seat and started up her car to leave.

"Why's everything so complicated suddenly?" she groaned.

❂

ARIA hummed along to her music while touching up her outfit. It was simple yet decorous. Her top was a muted green, sleeveless turtleneck that was accessorized with a petite Tiffany & Co. necklace. The short black skirt that hugged her curves accentuated the hidden muscle in her legs. Her skin was glowing from the creamy lotion that she'd lathered herself in and she smelt heavily of passion fruit.

Her shower lasted longer than usual as for there was a lot more to contemplate than usual.

Nevertheless, she was now giving her body a once over in the mirror as she anticipated Kiera's arrival.

They were going to make pizza together. Aria had picked up a few items on her way home, and it was all properly set up on her kitchen counter.

The same counter that held a very brief, tense contract signing only hours before.

Aria cleared her throat at the sound of a knock at her front door. She ran her hands through her blowout, focusing on the taps of her black, heeled boots hitting her floors.

All of a sudden she felt nervous.

She actually took the time out of her day to dress up and present herself in a way that she thought her best friend would find attractive. The redhead thought it was pathetic at first until she remembered that she actually wanted to try with Kiera.

So maybe putting on a cute outfit while they sipped on wine and made pizza wasn't entirely a bad decision.

It was growth.

With one last look around her tidy apartment, Aria opened the door with a smile.

Kiera stood at the door with a tall bottle of wine, which Aria suggested she bring. Kiera wanted to help with the pizza ingredients but Aria had already purchased it all, so the red wine would do.

Kiera's shoulder length hair was styled in a half-bun, half-down style. She wore a dark tan colored sweater that draped over her taller frame with intention. Her blue jeans were perfectly baggy and were folded at the ends to show off her multicolored Adidas.

"You are. . . stunning."

Aria dragged her eyes back up to the brunette's face, laughing at her glittering eyes.

"Thank you, Ki." she smiled in polite acknowledgement, "You clean up well yourself."

Kiera scoffed as they walked into the kitchen together, "This is my best fit yet."

"Yeah?" Aria chuckled.

Kiera proudly nodded with a content smirk.

Aria only rolled her eyes at her best friend's unserious expression and took the wine out of her hands to settle it down.

"You're such an idiot." she smiled, pulling the taller woman into a hug.

Kiera could only hum, slightly squeezing the redhead's waist in familiarity. Any other day, Aria wouldn't have thought much of it but she was now fully conscious of Kiera's crush. Parker had called it from the start and has been the biggest supporter ever since.

They pulled away with a mutual greeting kiss, their cheeks softly grazing one another.

"Now for the most important question," Aria grinned, "Fleetwood Mac or ABBA?"

❂