Piercing Words

ARYA’S POV I couldn't breathe or process what I was seeing. Giovanni was here. He was actually here, standing in my doorway like something conjured from my desperate dreams. My legs carried me forward, the towel dropping from my hand to the floor with a soft thud but I didn’t even register it. “Gi-Gi… Gi-“ I couldn’t say it. My tongue felt too heavy and my throat had tightened painfully. Was this real? Was he here? He looked tanner, like he had been somewhere with more sun. And his hair had grown longer, curling slightly at the nape of his neck. But it was unmistakably him. Those dark eyes and that sharp jawline. "Giovanni?" His name came out finally, but I was trembling so hard, I barely heard it. He took a step inside, and something in me snapped. I ran to him. I couldn't help it. Weeks of isolation, and believing I would never see him again all exploded at once. My legs leapt into the air and I threw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his waist, and burying my face against his c