Page 249 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

“No, I’m at—‍” She grinned again. “The Library Hotel. In the Mystery Room.”

“How romantic!”

Anna laughed. “I’ll get moving and call you when I get home.”

“Do you need me to bring you clothes so you don’t have to take the walk of shame?”

“No, I was told there was a change of clothes for me here somewhere.”

“Wow. He thought of everything, didn’t he? Wait, don’t tell me any more. Get home fast!”

Anna laughed as she went into the bathroom. A pair of denim shorts and a pink tank top hung on the back of the door, along with panties and a bra. On the floor sat a shoebox with white sandals inside. All the right size. Mr. J was good. How often did he do this sort of thing? She pushed the thought aside. It would ruin the fantasy if she thought about it that way.

After a luxurious shower, she braided her hair and dressed in the clothes. How did he know her style? Last night’s attire wasn’t exactly her norm. Come to think of it, she had this exact tank at home...

Her heart raced and she stared at the shoebox on the vanity. Had he seen her before last night? She’d worn the pink tank on Sunday when she’d walked to the library. Cameron said he’d moved in on Saturday, and she’d walked right by his condo. Had he seen her? Had he gone to the club looking for her? The thought sent a thrill through her body.

And he knew what she was, or at least partially who she was. She was almost pierced like a common girl. Was he a Brother? Was he a politician that The Brotherhood had manipulated? Was he as much a victim of them as she was? The thought saddened her. She knew what it was like to be manipulated by them.

She sighed. She wouldn’t come up with any answers until she knew him better. If she got to know him better. Part of the thrill was not knowing who he was.

She grinned as she gathered her things. Maybe she’d check out a mystery novel at the library tomorrow.

“Okay, spill the beans, missy!” Cameron demanded after they ordered their meals at an organic restaurant a few blocks from their apartment building. Anna had refused to tell him anything until they’d ordered. The tortured look on Cameron’s face when she’d told him he’d have to wait was priceless.

They’d walked past the condo where Mr. J lived and she’d looked up, wondering which floor was his. It wasn’t a very tall building; eleven or twelve stories at the most. Too bad her apartment faced the opposite direction. She wouldn’t be able to spy on him.

Anna giggled and shared the story of what had happened the previous night. Cameron had promised he wouldn’t tell anyone and she trusted him. Of course, she would tell Aaron when he got home tomorrow, though.

Their entrées were delivered and consumed before Cameron asked his last question. He stared at her in awe. “That is so awesome. I’m so happy for you.”

Anna rolled her eyes. “It’s not like anything is going to come from it.”

He jabbed a piece of lettuce at her. “Fantastic sex is nothing to sneeze at, girlfriend.” He flashed a wicked smile. “Maybe it’ll wake Kurt up if he knows you have a... What’s a male mistress called?”

She laughed and shrugged. “A lover?” Mr. J was European. Maybe he was even German. That would please Kurt. “Maybe Kurt will let me keep him.” After all, even Kurt’s mother had a lover.

They both giggled.

Later that afternoon, Anna finished her trashy romance novels and decided to go to the library. Aaron would be home the next afternoon and she wanted to spend time with him. Besides, she wanted something new to read. She put her books in her backpack and headed out.

As she passed Mr. J’s building, she looked up, again wondering who he was. She shrugged her shoulders and crossed the street to the park. Glancing over her shoulder once more, her gaze moved to the very top of the building, where she saw a line of trees. Was it a terrace of some sort?

A shiver ran through her body as she felt someone watching her. Someone from up there. Was it Mr. J? She squinted and could just make out the outline of two people standing between two trees. The overcast sky provided a gray background for the building, and she could just see them moving. Was it him?

She waved and then blushed, feeling foolish. But her heart skipped a beat when she would have sworn he’d waved back. Anna covered her mouth in shock and turned and hurried away.

She berated herself all the way through the park. What if it wasn’t Mr. J? What if she’d just waved to a complete stranger? What if she’d waved to a statue? She supposed the latter was the best option.

Anna stopped at Rockefeller Center as usual and went to buy a soda from Levi. He gave her a big grin. “Hey, Katrina. I was gonna call you when I got off. Wanted to know if you wanted to go out tonight.”

Anna smiled. “Really?”

“Yeah. I meant to call you Thursday, but I got called into work and had a double shift yesterday, too.” He shook his head. “If you have plans already, I understand.”

“No. I was just heading to the library.”

“Today’s Saturday.”

---