Page 265 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

“I asked if you had eaten dinner.”

“No . . .”

“Good. Don’t. I’ll talk to you soon.” He ended the call and Anna frowned. What was that about?

A half an hour later, she found out when someone knocked on the door. Sam, the doorman, stood there with two paper bags that smelled amazing and a dozen pink roses. A grin spread across her face as she took the roses and the bags. “Thanks Sam.”

She put the bags on the kitchen table and pulled out a complete Italian dinner, including breadsticks and a salad. In the second bag was a box of chocolate-covered strawberries with a note:

Think of me when you eat these.

Could she think of anyone else while she ate chocolate-covered strawberries? No way.

There were also two DVDs: Pride and Prejudice and An Affair to Remember. Anna’s heart pounded at the sight of the second movie. Was he trying to tell her something? Was he engaged as well? Is that why he had to keep things hidden?

No. It was just a classic romantic movie. They’d only come together for physical enjoyment. Although he treated her romantically, he barely knew her. Some guys were just romantic.

“Don’t overthink it, Anna.” She shot off a text of thank you to Simon and watched Pride and Prejudice while she ate.

Aaron returned home Monday afternoon. “Where’d all this come from?” He nodded at the empty containers from the previous night. “You weren’t supposed to leave the apartment.”

“Mr. J sent them over.”

He grinned. “I think someone likes you.”

Anna rolled her eyes. “We’ve spent three nights together. And he’s never spoken to me.”

“Maybe not with words, but he certainly has with his actions.”

“I’ve been told he is a very good man.” She shrugged. “Maybe he treats all his lovers like this.”

“He has multiple lovers?”

She shrugged again. “I wouldn’t be surprised. He’s very... virile.” She smiled, embarrassed.

“Is that code for ‘has a big schlong’?”

Anna laughed. “Maybe. But I can’t imagine him being happy with sex just once a week.”

“I dunno, Anna. You are that good.”

“But he doesn’t let me do anything. He does it all. I’m not allowed to touch him.” She realized what he had said. “Oh. Thanks.”

“Well, then, I’d just go with it. Does it matter if he sleeps with other women?” Aaron threw away the empty containers and rooted through the fridge.

The thought of Mr. J being with someone else made her cringe, but she didn’t have the right to demand anything else. “It shouldn’t.”

“Yeah, you’re right. It shouldn’t.” He straightened, holding the milk container. “You’re gonna marry Bastard-Kurt eventually.” He lifted the container to his nose and then pulled out a glass from the cupboard. “I say just enjoy your time with Mr. J so you have happy memories of your time in New York.” He raised his eyebrows. “Those Kurt can’t take away from you.”

“I wish he wasn’t such an ass. Kurt, I mean.”

“Yeah, I figured. Is he coming out for the gala?”

Anna shrugged. “Haven’t talked to him since he yelled at me.”

“Maybe you can talk to him... see what the hell is wrong with him. I just can’t believe the nice, laid-back Kurt is acting like he is.”

“Maybe you could talk to him. You know, before he goes off and sleeps with Jasmine again.”

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