Page 264 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

“Very true.”

“Have you found today’s roses yet?”

She shook her head, her body tingling with excitement.

He grinned and winked at her. “Then go. Enjoy yourself.”

The roses were placed in much the same manner as they had been the previous week, but this time the trail led to The Phantom of the Opera, a biography of Marius Petipa, a French ballet master and choreographer, and a book on the Paris Opera Ballet.

Anna gasped in delight as she held the books and thought back to the previous evening. He’d designed the entire evening around France, including a French restaurant and hotel. Her heart warmed, knowing he’d put so much thought into the evening he’d created for her. What would he come up with for the next adventure?

Chapter 133

Tom called on Tuesday to let Anna know the Summer Gathering was in a week and a half. The same weekend that the ballet company was going out of town.

“You need to stay inside the apartment while Devin is so close, Anna. Do you understand? You can’t go out, not even onto your terrace. He’ll be arriving in D.C. next Thursday and leaving the following Thursday. He might even come into the city. You must stay inside until I call and tell you he’s gone.”

“But I have—‍” She sighed. “I have something I do on the weekends.”

“I’m sorry, Anna, but I won’t let you put yourself in danger. If I have to have someone stay with you to make sure you don’t leave, I will.”

“I’ll miss rehearsals.”

“I’ll talk to Vincent. Anna, my power to protect you is growing weak. Please do as I ask.”

Anna winced at the urgency in his voice. She’d never heard him sound so desperate, and she closed her eyes, ashamed she’d tried to argue with him. “I’m sorry, Tom. I promise I’ll stay inside until you say it’s okay to leave.”

“Thank you.”

“Is he . . . getting weaker?”

“Yes. And he’s furious about it. This will not be a pleasant Gathering.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’d rather it be an unpleasant weekend for me than for you.” He sighed. “Thank you for understanding. Your promise takes a load off my mind.”

Saturday night, Anna, Aaron, and Cameron went out to a Moroccan restaurant, watched Casablanca at an old movie theater, and then Anna was taken to the Hotel Casablanca, all courtesy of Mr. J. When she arrived at the hotel, she thanked both Mr. J and Simon for their thoughtfulness. After a wonderful time of lovemaking, and a peaceful night’s sleep, she visited the library and followed Mr. J’s roses to a travel book on Morocco, and two books about the country. Anna couldn’t wait to get home and read them.

When Simon had called to make the arrangements for the weekend, she’d told him she wasn’t allowed to leave the apartment the following weekend. Simon said Mr. J would be disappointed, but would understand. But when Anna looked at the calendar for the following weekend, she realized it was Alex’s birthday. If she didn’t go to see Mr. J, it would be two weekends of not being with him. But she didn’t think she could bring herself to go have sex with someone else on Alex’s birthday. Would he lose interest if she didn’t go? Would he think she had lost interest?

Sunday afternoon, she gathered up the courage to call Simon.

“Hello, Katrina. How are you?”

“Bored.” She sighed. “Being stuck in here kinda sucks.”

Simon laughed. “Is that why you called me?”

“No, although it is nice to talk to somebody. I... needed to tell you that I’m not available to go out next Saturday.”

“Oh?” He sounded wary. “May I ask why?”

Anna hesitated. She’d made up her mind that it was the right thing to do, but doubts crept in. “I was married when I was twenty and my husband died just a few months into our marriage.” She paused. “Saturday would have been his thirty-third birthday and... I just don’t think I’d be good company that night. I’m sorry.”

“I see.” There was a long pause and Anna’s stomach twisted. “Have you eaten dinner?”

“What?”

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