Through Her Eyes by Ava Harrison

It’s mine too, actually. Now it’s your turn to ask a question.”
    “Do you keep secrets?” I’m not sure where that came from, but as soon as the words bust out of my mouth, I regret them. I guess I need to know if I’m the only one living a lie. His eyes narrow, and I notice the Adam’s apple in his throat bobbing up and down.
    “Yes.”
    “Care to elaborate.”
    “No, then it wouldn’t be a secret. Well, since we are at the Vatican. Next question. Do you pray?” He asks.
    “Not anymore.” And with that, I step past him and rejoin the group ahead, marveling at a statue of a woman holding a sheaf of wheat.
    “That’s the Tyche of Antioch ,” I hear from behind me. Turning around, I meet Chase’s gaze.
    “I’m impressed.”
    “Come on, let’s ditch the group and check out the Sistine Chapel.”
    “We can’t do that, can we?”
    “I won’t tell if you don’t.” I nod at him, but I don’t dare voice my agreement. I need all the help I can get when entering the pearly gates. I’m not pissing anyone off in the Vatican.
    As we walk inside and my eyes linger on the images blanketing us from above, tears prick at my eyes. There it is The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo. The image of the near-touching hands of God and Adam rocks me to the core.
    “They say that the implication of his position is said to mean that if we truly want something, we have to be willing to move toward it.” My chest heaves with the impact of the images and Chase’s words. This is life and all its meaning. This is why I’m here.
    “Thank you, Chase. Today—well, today was really beyond words. Thank you for giving that to me.” I didn’t speak for a moment. His brows knit together causing a little line to form between them.
    “I want to ask you something. It’s going to sound a little weird, but can you bear with me and keep an open mind?”
    “I can try.” My hands cross over my chest, almost in a protective manner.
    “I’ve traveled more than most have, Aria. I’ve seen some incredibly life-changing things and . . . well, after hearing your dreams, I want to share that experience with you. I want you to come with me.”
    “What?” My eyes widen more than I think possible.
    “I want you to travel with me on my next shoot. You’ve inspired a vision, and I want to see where it goes. I also think you need this, and to be honest, I’m not ready for our time together to be over.”
    “I can’t.” I shouldn’t.
    “Why? Do you have someplace to be?” I think about his question. I should go back home. I should go see Parker. But it’s too much. I’m not ready to go. I’m not strong enough to deal with him yet, to deal with the pain I caused him.
    “I—I don’t know you,” I stutter.
    “Take a chance. Do this with me. What do you have to lose?”
    Accompany him on a photo shoot?
    Travel with him? Take a chance with him? No. I’m not ready to take a chance on anyone. When I don’t speak, he continues to press on.
    “Oh, come on. You are planning on seeing Italy, right?
    “Yeah.”
    “You could do this alone, but it would be a lot more fun with me. So come on, be crazy for once in your life. Be crazy with me.”
    “I . . . I . . .”
    “Have you ever felt like your life was passing you by and you didn’t know how to push pause and take the time to appreciate it? I’m giving you that chance. Each one of us is meant to have a journey to find our truth. Maybe this will be your journey.” His gaze locks onto mine. “Come with me?” I want to, I really do . . . but I can’t.
    “I’m sorry, Chase, but no. I can’t.” He tilts his head toward me and nods.
    “I knew it was a long shot, but the idea crept in my head, and it would have been amazing.”
    “I’m sorry. I bet you wish you kept the model?”
    “Not at all. Never. You inspired the idea, for you. Wouldn’t work for anyone else. I’ll just come up with another idea. No worries, okay?”
    “Okay.”
    “So, what do you want