Page 175 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

They chatted for a few more minutes, and then Clayton dragged Nate away. Nate waved at her before he walked out the door of the studio, and Anna bit her lip.

“He’s got a girlfriend,” Aaron said as Anna followed him across the room to get his bag. “Just so you know.”

Anna nodded. “I know. Clayton told me.”

“Of course he did.” Aaron chuckled. “Hey, Justin,” Aaron said, turning to the small group of dancers nearby. “You comin’ to dinner?”

“Do I need to?”

Aaron shrugged. “Didn’t know what you had planned.”

“I think I’ll go see my new place.” He grinned at his new roommates and the women with him. “And catch up with some old friends.”

“You coming, Aaron?” a woman asked. Kayla, Anna thought her name was.

Aaron shook his head. “Gotta get Katrina settled in.”

Kayla and the other women raised their eyebrows. “She’s living with you?”

“She’s a really old friend. Have to keep her safe in the big city.” Aaron nodded toward the door and Anna followed him through the studio and out into the cool evening air. “Did you get a phone?”

She pulled the smartphone out of her pocket and showed it to him. “Top of the line, as I understand it.” She shook her head. “Wilhelm always insists on the best for me.”

“Why shouldn’t he? You deserve it.” Aaron’s eyes filled with longing.

Anna looked away, not sure how she should respond. With everything that had happened the last few days, the chaos still fresh in her mind, she hesitated at the thought of getting involved with Aaron again. At least not yet. She needed a moment to gain the bearings of her new life.

They walked the short distance to their building. The doorman greeted Aaron by name as they approached, and Aaron introduced Anna. “James, this is Katrina, my new roommate. Katrina, this is James.”

“Hi.” Anna smiled and gave a little wave.

“Hi, Katrina.” James smiled back.

They walked inside and to the elevators. Aaron hit the button for their floor and the doors silently closed. “So, what’s up for dinner?”

“I don’t know. I told Wilhelm I’d call when we were home.” She smiled. Home. With Aaron. She liked the sound of that.

“I’m gonna shower,” Aaron said as they walked into their apartment. “Why don’t you call Wilhelm and find out what’s going on.”

“Okay.”

Anna went into her room and called Wilhelm.

“Hello, Anna, er, Katrina.” Wilhelm laughed. “Perhaps I should just call you Liebling.”

Anna giggled. “I like it when you do.”

“As do I. How was your afternoon?”

“Good.” Anna sighed. “Their dancing is so different from Isaak’s. I mean, not foreign, but... I don’t know. Different.”

“Do you like it?”

Anna stared at her comforter, thinking back to what she’d seen at the studio. “I don’t know. I’d heard that Balanchine was different, but... it will take some getting used to.”

“I am sure you will do wonderfully, Anna. You are one of the finest dancers I have ever seen.”

“Thanks, Wilhelm,” she said softly, her heart warming at her encouragement.

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