Page 250 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

“You better put that back in or I might bite it,” Matt teased.

Jenna grinned, then stuck it out more. Matt pulled her close and kissed her. When the light changed they were still kissing, and Ben pulled Matt across the street with a giggling Jenna at his side.

They rode the elevator up to their floor and the guys walked Anna and Jenna to Anna’s apartment. Greg said good night and disappeared into his apartment.

“So, you said you have somewhere to be tomorrow afternoon,” Ben said, giving a sideways glance to his friend, who had Jenna pinned against the wall and was kissing her. “Does that mean you’re free for dinner later?”

Anna bit her lip. “No, I—The thing I have to do will be until late.”

“Oh. What about Saturday night?”

Anna hesitated. He was asking her out. Did she want to risk it? She gazed into his gray eyes. He was kind and interesting and fun. She liked being around him, though was hesitant to think of him as anything more than a friend. What would Devin think? “I think I’m free. I won’t know until Saturday morning, though.”

Ben tilted his head. “Anna, if you don’t want to go out with me, all you have to do is say so.”

Anna’s eyes widened. “No, Ben. I—‍” She smiled. “I’d like to go out with you. My... weekends are just kind of up in the air a lot. I’m sorry.”

He gave her a half-smile. “So, if you are free Saturday evening, would you like to go out and do something?”

Ignoring the warning bells in her head, she nodded. “I’d like that.”

“How about you text me Saturday morning and let me know if you’re available, okay?”

“Okay.”

They exchanged numbers, and then Ben kissed her cheek. “I’ll hopefully see you on Saturday.”

Anna nodded. She hoped so, too.

Ben smacked Matt on the back of the head. “C’mon. Let’s go.”

They waved and then went inside Anna’s apartment and fell onto the couch, giggling. They exchanged animated stories about their evening, gushing over their new neighbors. Both agreed that the guys were not only incredibly nice, but also very attractive.

They were in the middle of a giggling fit when a knock at the door made Jenna grin and her eyes flash with mischief. “Maybe they couldn’t stay away from us.”

Anna rolled her eyes as she got up. She was grinning as she opened the door, but her smile fell at the sight of the man standing there. Zachary Vail. An icy chill coursed through her body and her heart sank.

Zach raised his eyebrows and gave an amused smile. “Hello. Devin said you were back in town.”

He took a step forward, but Anna held up her hand. “Wait. Please.”

Zach narrowed his eyes.

“Please,” she whispered. “My friend is here. Just let me get rid of her, okay?” Anna waited for what felt like an eternity as he clenched his jaw, then gave a sharp nod. She hurried back to where Jenna was still grinning on the couch.

“Who is it?” Jenna asked.

“I’m sorry. You need to go home now.” She hated saying the words. She didn’t want to be alone with Zach, but she didn’t want Jenna getting mixed up in it, either. Or for Jenna to hear her scream.

Jenna didn’t move. “Why? What’s wrong?”

Anna shook her head. “I just—I have to take care of something, okay?” She went to Jenna and pulled her to her feet. “I’ll call you, um, Saturday. Maybe. I have to see Devin tomorrow night.”

Jenna pursed her lips, but stood and picked up her purse. She walked with Anna to the door and raised her eyebrows at Zach. “Who’s that?” she whispered.

“Someone I have to... talk to. Please go, Jenna.” Anna could see Zach’s impatience.

Jenna looked like she was going to say something, but Anna pushed her out the door. “I’m sorry. I’ll talk to you later.” She slammed the door shut, sucked in a deep breath, and turned back to Zach, her practiced smile on her face.

---