Page 109 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Aaron turned and grinned at Anna as she paused in the kitchen’s entryway. He waved, and Anna smiled and gave a small nod.

Jenna nudged her. “See, he totally likes you.”

Anna shook her head, but nerves crept into her stomach as Aaron approached, his arms outstretched.

Anna gasped as he picked her up and spun her around, hugging her. “I’m so glad you came, Anna. You look fantastic.”

He put her down and she stared up at him, her mouth opened and confused about his enthusiastic greeting. “I—‍” She bit her lip and looked away. “Thank you.”

“What am I? Chopped liver?” Jenna pouted and crossed her arms.

Aaron laughed. “Nah. I’d at least call you strip steak.”

Jenna giggled. “Well, that’s something.”

“C’mon outside. Food and drinks are on the deck.”

Aaron led them through the sliding glass door and out onto a huge redwood deck. Wide wooden stairs in the middle led down to a lit pool filled with people laughing and playing some sort of game with a white ball.

The moment Anna stepped outside, she sensed Alex’s presence. My Master. She searched the yard and finally located him in the far side of the pool talking with Seth, Tony, and a couple of other guys she didn’t know.

Alex looked up and searched in her direction, as if he’d sensed her gaze. When they made eye contact, he smiled warmly. She smiled back and raised her eyebrows, wondering if he wanted her near him. He grinned and shook his head, motioning to Aaron. She nodded and followed Aaron to a table full of chips and burgers and other snacks.

Jenna leaned close. “What was that about?”

“What was what about?” Anna didn’t look at her friend, hoping she’d not press her for an explanation.

“Anna, you want something to drink?” Aaron reached for a red plastic cup. “I’m not picky about the drinking age as long as you don’t drive home.”

Anna gave him an apologetic look. “I drove here. Just some water is fine.”

“I’ve got soda and tea, too,” He motioned to the table.

She shook her head. “Water’s fine.”

“I’ll take a drink.” Jenna grabbed a cup and filled it with beer.

Aaron handed Anna a cup of ice water. “You hungry?”

Anna smiled and shook her head. “We had dinner at my apartment.”

“My God, Anna.” An unfortunately familiar, catty female voice came from behind them. “Can’t Alex go anywhere without you showing up?”

Anna spun around to see Kirsty glaring at her, hands on her narrow hips, and shaking her head. She wore a very skimpy gold bikini with a sheer black sarong tied around her hips.

She stared for a moment before her voice would work. “A-Aaron invited me.”

Kirsty raised her brows and looked at Aaron, then back at Anna, a sneer on her face. “You certainly get around, don’t you?” She smirked, then turned and sauntered away, shaking her hips seductively as she walked.

Anna sighed. Why did Kirsty seem to be everywhere Anna went? Anna caught Jenna watching her, a single eyebrow arched high on her forehead. “She doesn’t like me very much,” Anna said quietly.

“I hope the feeling’s mutual,” Jenna muttered.

Aaron and several of the other guys on the deck watched Kirsty as she walked away, and a strange feeling crept into Anna’s heart. A weird mixture of hurt and anger. She pressed her lips together. Why did it matter if Aaron looked at another woman? It wasn’t any of her business. Anna did her best to shove the emotions aside, but the longer Aaron watched Kirsty, the worse Anna felt. She turned away and walked to the edge of the deck, studying the grassy side yard and scolding herself.

Jenna appeared at her side. “She’s a bitch to everything female. She loves lording it over all the girls that she’s with Alex and they’re not. I honestly don’t see why he’s with her.” She turned and glared at Aaron, who had finally stopped ogling the other woman.

“What? I don’t control what Alex does.” Aaron put his hands up in defense, then shrugged. “She’s hot.”

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