Page 61 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

Chapter 33

Peter tossed his phone on the coffee table and leaned back on the couch. “Flight arrangements made.”

Anna nodded and held back a sigh. They’d just returned home from their weekend with his family. He’d told her on the way that he needed to go to St. Petersburg for a week after Nutcracker was over to visit Dariya. Anna understood. It wasn’t as if their “relationship” was real. He needed to maintain his relationship with the other woman.

“Do you think Dariya will be happy?”

Peter shrugged. “She’s placated for the moment. I’ve barely spoken to her since I left and she’s... upset. I need to spend some time with her.”

“I know.” She didn’t understand why he felt the need to justify himself.

Someone knocked on the door and she went to answer it. Her heart fell when she saw her visitor. “Jack! What are you doing here?”

He leaned against the doorpost with a smug look on his face. “Why do you think?” He grinned and walked inside, stopping when he noticed Peter sitting on the couch. “Is this the new boyfriend?”

Peter stood. “I am. And you are?”

“Jack, Anna’s guardian. Or used to be, anyway. I don’t believe we’ve met, although Devin’s told me quite a bit about you.”

Peter’s face remained impassive.

“Jack is a very good friend of Devin’s.” She hoped Peter would understand the warning.

Peter’s face broke into a smile. “Ah, of course.” He walked forward and shook his hand. “I’ve heard much about you.”

“You’re Vitaly’s grandson, eh?”

“I am.”

Jack nodded and studied Peter for a moment. “You look like him.”

Peter smiled. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Jack laughed. “You should.” He glanced at Anna and then looked back at Peter. “You don’t mind if I use Anna for a bit, do you?”

Peter shrugged. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t hurt her. Opening night is Friday, and she’s taking longer to recover these days.”

“Really?” Jack looked at Anna. “That’s too bad.” He sighed. “I suppose I can take it easy on her this time. I’ll just make up for it after the first of the year.”

Anna motioned to the bedroom door and she followed Jack inside, closing the door behind her. He left, mostly satisfied, an hour later.

She lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling as she listened to Jack say goodbye to Peter, taking stock of her injuries. Jack had played nice, somewhat, and she’d most likely be healed in the morning. She sat up as Peter rushed into the room. “Are you alright?”

Anna nodded. “Yes.” As alright as she ever was after a visit like that. Peter sat next to her and she rested her head on his chest. “I suppose it’s a reminder that all of this isn’t real.”

Peter hugged her tightly, then kissed the crown of her head before giving her the gentlest nudge. “Go shower. I’ll take care of the bed.”

“Thank you.” She kissed his cheek and headed into the bathroom.

The Nutcracker opened to resounding success. Aaron and Stephanie were the definition of perfection with their Grande Pas de Deux. Peter and Erin were amazing in their performance as Snow King and Queen. Anna was satisfied with her performance, though Peter told her she’d outshone her fellow ribbon dancers.

After the performance, Peter escorted Anna to the party in the lobby. His family, including his parents, brothers and sister, as well as Vlad and Nina, had all come to San Francisco to watch the opening night performance. His family seemed happy to see her, and Anna received many compliments for her beautiful dancing. Mikhail thought Peter had been underutilized as the Snow King, but Peter dismissed the notion, saying he didn’t mind the change. “It was nice not to have all the pressure of dancing the prince, like I normally do,” he said with a smile. “I don’t mind it, Papa. I really don’t.”

Mikhail mumbled something in Russian, and Peter laughed and patted his dad on the back.

Devin walked up a few minutes later and greeted everyone. Anna resisted the urge to step closer to Peter.

“Peter, you really are an excellent dancer. I would love to see you and Anna dance together. That would be... quite a pairing.”

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