Page 188 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Anna grinned. “Really?”

Patty nodded. “Whatever’s going on, keep it up.”

Anna had lunch with Jenna, and the rest of the day passed quickly. Sooner than she thought possible, she was driving home to get ready for her dinner with Alex.

She smiled, eager to see Alex again. She rifled through her closet and chose a strapless lavender chiffon dress that fell to her knees, with a dark purple ribbon around her waist.

At six-thirty, there was a knock on the door and she hurried to answer it. Alex stood in the doorway holding a single pink rose. He wore a blue-gray suit and black shirt, but no tie. His appearance left her breathless and her heart overflowed with emotions.

She beamed. “Hi.”

“Hello, Schatzi,” he said, stepping into the apartment and leaning down to kiss her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

He cupped her cheek and looked at her tenderly. He looked like he wanted to say something, but didn’t speak. Instead, he handed her the rose and she inhaled its delicate scent. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.

“I’m going to wait right here,” Alex said with a mischievous smile. “Following you into the kitchen last night is what got us in trouble.”

Anna giggled and put the rose in the vase with the others. Her whole dining area smelled like a rose garden.

Alex held out his hand and they made their way down to the garage, hand in hand.

Alex hadn’t accomplished everything he needed to before he’d gone to pick up Anna for dinner, but keeping his word to her was important. The others seemed to understand. Especially when Sebastian affirmed the importance of Alex spending time with Anna.

Even though he knew he was doing the right thing, and he enjoyed every second of his time with Anna, he couldn’t help but be a little ill at ease. He didn’t like being so uninvolved in the planning processes. As team leader, it was his job to make the hard and final decisions. But Sebastian said he should go, and he trusted his men, so he’d driven to Anna’s apartment determined to enjoy his time with her. “How are the Intensives going?” he asked after they were seated at the French restaurant a short time later.

Anna’s face glowed with happiness. “Amazing! Isaak’s putting me in the advanced classes starting on Wednesday.”

“That’s wonderful. I’m so proud of you.”

She beamed at his words, and Alex breathed out a sigh of contentment. It was so refreshing to be with a woman who could find such joy in something as simple as a compliment.

Anna chatted happily about the previous week’s dance classes while they waited for their first course of the tasting menu. Gazing into her sparkling eyes, he realized he was falling for her even harder than he already had. He made a mental note to put the school’s performance on his calendar. He wouldn’t miss it for the world.

“What was it like growing up in Germany?”

Alex smiled as Anna paused, her fork holding a pastry appetizer halfway to her mouth. “I suppose like growing up in any other place.”

Anna pursed her lips. “I don’t think my growing up was like anyone else’s.”

Alex winced. “That’s true. I’m sorry.”

She shrugged. “It’s okay. I—‍” She paused and put her fork down. “It doesn’t seem to bother me all that much right now.”

Alex couldn’t keep his brows from shooting up high. “Really?” Only weeks ago, he’d seen her struggling with her past and training. “Why?”

Anna searched his eyes and then gave a small shrug. “I don’t know. I just feel... different.” She chewed her lip and played with the food on her plate with her fork. “I feel different since last night.” She slowly looked up, her eyes wide with hope, and his heart melted. “I don’t know why.”

He put his hand on hers. He’d been such a fool, putting off making love to her. By waiting, he’d been trying to do the right thing, but obviously he’d been wrong and his father had been right. Again. “I’m sorry, Schatzi.”

Her brows drew together. “What are you apologizing for?”

Alex looked across the restaurant at the painting of an 1800s woman sitting on a bench. “I should have made love to you sooner. Right after the ritual.” He moved his gaze back to the precious woman sitting across from him. “It wasn’t right for me to wait.”

“Why?”

“Our bond from the ritual. It wasn’t complete.” He grimaced. “Not until last night.”

Her eyes widened, and her mouth opened. “Oh.” She looked away for a moment, a smile playing at her lips.

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