Page 189 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

He drew his brows together, confused. “Why are you smiling?”

Her smile grew broader and she looked back at him. “I can feel it.”

He raised his brows. “You can feel... the bond?”

She nodded. “I felt it...” She put her hand on her chest above her heart. “Here.”

Alex’s lips parted as he inhaled deeply. “You do?”

Her brows twitched. “Is that wrong?”

He shook his head. “No. Not at all. I just—‍” He tilted his head. “I didn’t know if you would feel it, too.” He sighed. “Well, that’s a thing, isn’t it?”

She giggled, her eyes sparkling. “A good thing?”

“A very good thing.”

Alex couldn’t deny the change he saw in her. She looked lighter. Her eyes sparkled with happiness and she moved even more gracefully than she had before, if that was even possible. God, he was falling for her. The real her, not just the one he thought he knew. He already loved her. He had from the moment he saw her, but spending time with her, getting to know her... making love to her... It deepened what was already there. What had been planted in his heart years ago by her father. She was everything he’d hoped she’d be. And more.

Dinner went far too quickly and too soon he was paying the bill. He drove back to her apartment and they walked inside not long after. Oh, how he wanted to stay and make love to her again, but he knew he couldn’t.

She looked up at him expectantly. He sighed and led her to the couch. He kissed her and held her close. “Schatzi, I can’t stay tonight.”

She searched his eyes for an explanation. “Why? You want to.”

“I do.” He smiled and smoothed her hair back from her face. “More than anything. But I must leave very early in the morning and I have things to finish before I leave.”

Anna searched Alex’s eyes once more. They held all the sincerity in the world, and she knew he was being truthful. She nodded. “I understand.” She cupped his cheek. “I wish you didn’t have to go.” She would never forget hearing from his own lips that he felt about her the same way she felt about him. But even if they were apart, she knew she’d still feel him in her heart.

He took her hand in his and kissed her palm. “I wish I didn’t have to go either,” he said softly. “Thank you for understanding.”

If only he weren’t so reluctant to tell her where he was going and what he was going to do. She had learned that he had studied politics, business, and international studies at the university, but she didn’t know what he did with such learning. Maybe it wasn’t very interesting and he feared boring her with the details.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked.

She giggled. “I was wondering if the reason for your trip out of town was something so boring you thought I wouldn’t be interested.”

Alex burst out into laughter. “Oh, Schatzi, if that were it, I would tell you. But I simply can’t tell you right now. Someday.”

She curled up next to him and lay her head on his chest and they sat together in a comfortable silence for a long time. Every once in a while, he would stroke her arm or kiss the top of her head. She was drifting off to sleep when he stirred. “I have been delaying the inevitable, but I really must go, Schatzi.” He sat for a moment more, then stood and helped her to her feet.

Anna walked him to the door and gazed up into his tender eyes. She bit her lip, fearing she would lose control and burst into tears.

“I will come see you as soon as I can when I get home,” he said, his voice trembling. “I hate to leave you.”

“I hate for you to leave,” she whispered. He drew her tightly to him and pressed his lips to hers in a desperate kiss. By the time he pulled away, her lips were swollen and bruised, but she didn’t care. He caressed her cheek with his hand and stared into her eyes.

After a long moment, he sighed. “I must leave, or I won’t.”

She nodded and forced a brave smile. He kissed her once more before turning away and leaving, gently closing the door behind him. She stared at the closed door for a long moment, letting the tears trickle down her cheeks.

Tuesday passed in a blur of fond memories and longing for Alex. On Wednesday, she was to take the advanced classes for the first time. As she approached the studio, her heart raced and her mind buzzed with nerves.

She stopped just inside the doorway, unsure of where to go. Older dancers could be territorial about their preferred spaces. The room was filled with students close to her own age. Both guys and girls spread out across the room, with some at the barre and others stretching on the floor. A few of the male students glanced up and smiled at her. Her heart belonged to Alex, though, and she hoped they would leave her alone.

She sat near the doorway and changed shoes and stretched. A while later, one of the advanced instructors, Delia, walked into the room. She greeted Anna and Anna jumped to her feet. “Isaak told me you’d be joining us today. I’m so happy to have you in my class,” she said with a kind smile.

Anna smiled nervously back at her. “I’m excited to be here.”

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