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●ARIA POV●

After Alex arrived thing were initially a bit tense . I was afraid that it would ruin Trip's progress but it did the opposite and it might have worked out best in his favor to have his brothers here with him .

Warren and Trip hardly had a relationship growing up and Trip desired to have that bond with his younger siblings . Alex didn't hold a grudge to Trip , so in some way he became the mediator between the two .

The more time they spent together the more Warren loosened up . Then one night , outside by the fire pit they both let it all out. There was no shouting or fighting . It was more understanding and clearing up misconceptions. Trip really was misunderstood and neglected. And because he was able to establish some sort of bond with them , mostly Warren, his progress sped up incredibly. It was like we were looking at a new man .

Alex and Warren talked but they weren't singing kumbaya together . They kept it peaceful and I appreciated that they did what they can to help . Wednesday night was the last night we all had together. The guys were going to leave first , in the morning . I would leave Friday morning , leaving a night alone with Trip.

When we finally had the house to ourselves , and I mean , no one was there but Trip and I, we finally had our moment to get to know each other . We wanted to learn a little bit more minus all the business aspects .

"I hope you don't mind some chicken and a garden salad," Trip says with a kind grin.

"Not at all , something a little healthy won't kill me," I joke.

"I like your attitude Aria. It's a welcomed change to how things have been," he says as he begins to set the dinner table .

"You mean , since you've been stuck in this house?" I try to get some clarity .

"No, since you've come back into our lives . Things haven't always been this open or inviting for ," he pauses , "I don't know, 20 years."

I frown at that , I can't imagine being misread for that long, and by your own family at that , "well better late than never."

His eyes sparkled at me , "that you are correct."

He brings over the main course and salad to the table and we sit down putting the food on our plates. His face says he has something on his mind and seeing as this is the last night before I leave for a week , I figured that he might as well ask away.

"You look like you're thinking too hard. Dollar for your thought?"

He laughs, "A dollar? Isn't the phrase , 'penny' ?"

I respond back with a chuckle, "Seeing as that name has caused a rift between brothers , I'd rather never say that word again."

He sits back and gives me a look , one that I couldn't decipher. So I mimicked his posture and asked him , "what's on your mind?"

"You."

I couldn't help my reaction. I was surprised by his answer because I wasn't expecting it at all. It actually shocked me enough that I stayed silent for awhile . Trip watched me and cocked a brow up .

He was observing my movements , "I didn't mean to startle you with my answer . But the changes that have been happening seemed to center around you. Warren , finally relaxing? Alex taming his irrational side ? Helping me find a connection to my brothers? You're the piece of the puzzle that's connected a lot. And that's not a bad thing."

I blush , the compliment took me by surprise and I couldn't help but get a little red in the cheeks. I quickly grabbed the water on the table and drank it . I looked at Trip again and he finally started eating .

"I don't want to say I'm the reason -" I begin to say .

"-no need to be modest Ar, you are . It was like , you were the key to bringing us together and bringing me out of the mire," he throws out there as he continues to chew.

"All I did was put some things in motion, that's all," I try to say.

"When we were little , I was jealous of the connection you and Warren had . I wanted to be a part of whatever it was you guys shared. As a kid , I thought the only way to be 'in' was to help you out with overcoming something big , like swimming. My intentions were never to hurt you, I just wanted to be part of the special club you guys seemed to be a part of," he explains to me his motives .

I nod, "so this whole time , it wasn't jealousy to get rid of me . But that you felt left out."

"Yeah. But no one wanted to listen to me . They just wanted to blame a child for a honest mistake. I had already traumatized myself when I accidentally hurt you . But -"

"Yout family compounded it by not hearing you," my heart squeezed and I found myself standing from my seat and walking towards trip . Without any extra words , I pulled him into a hug, letting his head rest on my stomach while he remained seated.

"I'm sorry Ar," his voice trembled as his body began to shake . Finally, truly letting it all go.

"Shhh, it's okay . I may not remember the incident but I forgive you. If I didn't I wouldn't spend so much time here."

"But you have to," he says in a whisper.

"Actually no, I could've had everyone send me reports on you everyday. I wanted to be here . This is the most hands on , I've ever invested myself into," I assure him .

He pulls away from me , "Really?"

I look upon his face . He looks like he's gotten younger since coming here, as if he discovered his lost youth . The speckle of brown mixed in with his green eyes show me the innocence is finally returning. "I wouldn't do this for any client."

He gives me a gentle smile that wrinkles the corners of his eyes , "those brothers of mine, they care for you , dare I say that they love you."

"I think they really just appreciate having me around," I try to hide my reaction .

His hand is still resting on my waist , just above my backside, "no. With Penny, that was just lust. They didn't care if their relationship was in ruins . But with you, it's love . They put you above themselves and that meant showing you that they can be in the same room together . Alex disappeared during the whole Penny fiasco. But here, he showed up ."

"Things are complicated, " I say to Trip.

"I know that you and Alex aren't a real couple," he states.

"How?"

"I got a notification weeks ago about being matched with you," he tells me , "I didn't respond because my phone died. Like , literally the screen went black."

"But--" I start.

"You and Alex couldn't have gotten that far in a relationship if you were JUST on a dating app days before."

"So you went along with it?" I ask him .

"I was just trying to figure out the why."

"Why, what?"

"Why you two would make up something like this ," he was curious.

"He was doing me a favor and it turned out that he needed one too," I explain .

"Favor? How?"

I sit back down in my seat , "long version or short?"

He looks around , "I'm not going anywhere, so you can tell me what ever version you're comfortable with . "

So I told Trip about Dylan and Brittany. About the wedding and how it was only suppose to last until then but Alex had his own favor to call in. When I was done I couldn't gauge what Trip was thinking . I'm usually good at reading people but I suppose if you're him, and you've gone through what he has, you'd get really good and maintaining a poker face too.

"You know, Alex never really needed a cover to have his seat in the company . He could do his job anywhere," he says to me.

"Then why would he lie?"

"He wanted to be closer to you," he says nonchalantly.

"He needed a reason to have you with him . I won't beat around the bush , you're a catch . Any man would be lucky to have you my their side. Hell, if I wasn't such a total cuck up , I'd chase after you too."

I give him a side eye , "First, things wouldn't really work for us. You are my client . Second, this Dylan thing had gotten me too rattled to consider another serious relationship."

"And third? There's always a third."

"I'm a mess, who would want to get involved?" I ask.

"Are you serious? You're driven , smart , kind and beautiful . I don't know how badly Dylan messed with your head but he's a damn idiot. I'm not in the position to try anything but you are what I would describe the ultimate dream girl. And by the looks of it , Alex and Warren would agree," he says .

"You're just saying that."

"Really? And what would I gain by telling you this? If I were a better man , I'd make a run for it too. But I'm still figuring myself out and you're one of the closest allies I have in my life, so I'd rather not scare you off," he admits.

"It would take a lot to run me off . Now that I've gotten to know you. You're the only Wells brother that hasn't really confused my feelings."

"So they ARE messing with you?!" His voice raises .

I wave my hands , "no, Alex made mistake . But Warren , he's been patient with me . He's been there for me. He hasn't led me on in any way."

Trip gives me a meaningful look, "okay. But you tell me if you need me to throw any of those guys in the lake. I'll do it for you."

And just like that the mood shifted back to being lighthearted. There were a lot of things we discussed tonight but one thing was clear to me . That at some point I'd have to explore my feelings for the brothers. I would do it now but I have a lot of other things on my plate. And I'm not even talking about Dylan or the wedding . That's not even an issue anymore.