Page 162 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Anna turned to him and kissed him. “I missed you, too.” She cupped his cheek and stared into his eyes. She looked tired and maybe sad. He wanted to ask, but knew she didn’t like talking about things that involved Devin.

Anna was at peace. Real peace. There was a semblance of peace when she was with Devin and he wasn’t angry at her, or anyone else, for that matter. Being with Aaron, however, was an entirely different feeling.

She snuggled close to him as they sat on the couch together, and he tightened his arms around her. Thankfully he didn’t ask for details about what had happened the night before. She really didn’t want to bring what happened at the Manor into her “new life.” “How was your evening?”

“Long.” Aaron chuckled. “It involved a lot of alcohol.”

Anna looked up at him with a frown. “What did you do?”

“Went to Barney’s with Alex, Seth, and Tony.”

She cringed at the sound of Alex’s name. “What’s Barney’s?”

“A bar that we go to a lot. It’s not overly crowded, but there are enough people to keep things interesting.”

She smiled. “Did you pick up any women?”

Aaron coughed. “Anna! No, of course not. Why would I do that?”

Anna blinked. “Well, I mean, I was busy... and you went out with your friends. You guys are all good looking...” Her voice trailed off, and she shrugged. The idea of Aaron being with another woman made her uncomfortable, but she couldn’t blame him. She was, after all, not available to him last night.

“Anna, I don’t want anyone but you.” He stroked her cheek and kissed her. It started soft and gentle and became more passionate. He cupped the back of her head. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” She kissed him soundly then she stood and led him to her room.

Chapter 67

“Wake up, sleepyhead.”

Anna opened her eyes at the sound of Aaron’s voice and sighed in contentment. The past week had been glorious, though they hadn’t had as much time together for the last several days since the company had resumed rehearsals last week. Aaron spent his days at the studio, but came over to Anna’s apartment every evening. They ate dinner and cuddled on the couch before making love and sleeping in one another’s arms. Friday night’s Gathering had been as tame as the previous one, though thankfully Jack hadn’t been there. “Hi.”

“Hi.” He leaned forward and kissed her gently. “I like waking up with you.”

“Me, too.” She smiled, running her fingers over his cheek, sighing that he was going to leave her for the studio, and then gasped. “It’s Monday!”

Aaron chuckled. “You just remembered?”

“I was thinking more about how happy you’ve made me.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again. The Summer Intensives began today. She would be with Aaron at the studio all day, though they’d be in different parts of the building. But she was hopeful she’d be able to see him during breaks.

She headed to the bathroom for a quick shower with a smile on her face. As she pulled her hair back into a tight bun and pulled on her pink tights and light blue leotard, she couldn’t help but feel as if she were flying. She’d never, ever imagined she’d be this happy again. Memories of what had happened after Jack yanked her from dancing after her parents died threatened her cheerful mood, but she shoved them aside. The only way she’d be able to survive this messed up life of hers was to focus on the good parts and deal with the bad parts as they came along. Focus on the good. Push aside the bad as soon as they’re over. Forget the past.

She threw on a t-shirt and shorts over her dance clothes and sat down on the floor by the shopping bag that held her other dance things. She pulled her new pointe shoes out of their box and stroked the pink satin ribbons she’d sewn on the previous evening. Her heart soared at the thought of dancing en pointe once more. She grinned and kissed each shoe before wrapping the ribbons carefully around the back of the shoe and slipping them into her bag.

Aaron’s laughter made her jump, and she looked up at him, face hot. He pulled her to her feet and kissed her deeply. “I think that was one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen. I’m so happy for you.”

Anna smiled shyly up at him.

He cupped her cheeks in his hands. “I love you.”

Anna’s heart jumped in her chest. “You... you what?”

“I said, I love you.” The tenderness in his eyes warmed her entire body. He kissed her lips. “I can’t wait to show you off as my girlfriend today.”

Anna stared up at him, her entire body tingling. Then she sighed and smiled. “I love you too.”

They stared at each other for a long moment before Aaron grinned. “We better get going. Don’t want you to be late for your first class.”

Anna grinned back, then kneeled to shove the rest of the things she needed for the day into her bag. They headed down to Aaron’s vehicle.

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