Page 322 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

“Where’s Alex?” Tom asked as a server placed an entrée in front of Anna.

She looked at the delicious smelling salmon and vegetables, and her stomach churned. “Seth said he went home.” She blinked away tears again. “Said he’s having problems adjusting to being here.”

Tom’s eyes widened. “Alex?”

Anna nodded. She didn’t dare speak again, for fear of bursting out into sobs.

Tom shook his head. “He looked a little uneasy when we came in, but I can’t understand why he would have left. I saw him before the performance began and he looked like he was enjoying himself.”

Tom’s words didn’t help. What had happened between then and now? A knot formed in Anna’s stomach. Had he met someone during the intermission and he was going to meet her?

Doubts from all directions assaulted Anna’s heart and she wanted to run away. But she couldn’t leave, even if it was to chase after Alex. She represented the company to these people who’d spent thousands of dollars to be seen and meet the dancers tonight. She’d left a social occasion early once and had been punished terribly for it by Wilhelm. Anna doubted Tom would punish her, but she didn’t want to take the chance.

She took a deep breath and forced herself to take a bite of her dinner. Where would she go after the gala ended if Alex didn’t want her?

Chapter 160

Anna forced herself to eat and be social, a polite smile on her face the entire time. She’d done it before, she could do it again, although answering the “Where’s Alex?” question became tedious.

By two o’clock, Anna was exhausted and her head was pounding. She just wanted to crawl into bed and curl up next to Alex. Everything was right in the world when she was in his arms. But she didn’t know if that was an option. Should she go back to the apartment she’d shared with Aaron? Her bed was still there.

She searched for Seth and found him flirting with Crystal, one of the corps dancers. He met her eye, said something to the girl, and hurried over to Anna.

“You okay?”

“I think I’m going to leave.” Blinking back tears, she shook her head. “I don’t know where to go, though. Do I go back to Aaron’s apartment?”

Seth raised his eyebrows. “No. Of course not. Why would you think that?”

She chewed her lip. It wasn’t fair to make Seth tell her he’d taken another woman home. “If Alex needs his privacy...”

“What are you talking about?”

She gave a small shrug. “I thought maybe Alex . . . found . . . someone?—‍”

“Don’t even say it, Anna.” Seth shook his head firmly. “There is no other woman in Alex’s life.” He put his hands on her shoulder. “He loves you. That’s it.”

“But—‍”

He shook his head again. “Him leaving was all him. I mean it. He’s being a dumbass.” He frowned and shook his head. “Is that what you’ve been thinking this whole time?”

Anna nodded and burst into tears.

Seth pulled her into his arms, stroking her head. “Oh, Anna. That would never happen. Never in a million years.” He pulled away and searched her face. “You’re tired. And hurt. Let’s get you home and you and Alex can make up and you’ll feel better.” He gave a gentle smile. “Go get your purse. I’ll take you home.”

“I can make it?—‍”

“I promised Dumbass I’d get you home safely, and that’s what I’m going to do. Besides, it’s the middle of the night. It’s not safe to go on your own.”

Anna gave a choked laugh at Seth calling Alex a dumbass and nodded. “Okay.”

He searched her face for a moment. “I’ll meet you by the door.”

She nodded and he walked away. She dabbed at her face so she didn’t look as if she’d been crying and then retrieved her purse from the table.

Seth smiled and opened the door for her. “Alex is probably dead asleep and will wake up in the morning regretting leaving you here.”

Anna shrugged, hoping Seth was right. “Just walk me to the building, then you can get back to the party.” She smiled. “And Crystal.”

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