Page 51 of Vas

That had her smiling for the first time since they started their conversation.

I’ll let you go to be with your friends.

One last thing. If thisisa two-way street, I think it’s only fair I can track you too.

We’ll set it up when I get back. He replied easily enough, and Anna was relieved there wouldn’t be an argument about it.Be good and text me when you get home so I know you made it there safely.

What? You won’t be tracking me to know for yourself?

Touché. Smartass.

And that had her laughing out loud.

“That seemed to go well. What did he say?” Tiffany asked.

Anna stuck her phone back into her purse. “That I’ve been officially put into the girlfriend box.”

A grin split her friend’s face. “This calls for a celebration.” Standing, as far as the bench seat and table would allow, Tiffany raised her hand for a cocktail server. “Another round of Cosmos on me.”

“Well, two Cosmos and a soda. And the drinks are on me.” Luke piped up.

“Whatever you say, baby.” Tiffany looked down at Anna and winked.

As promised, Anna texted Vas when she got home. Vas’s only reply…

I know.

∞∞∞

Movers showed up at Anna’s apartment two days later. Vas had only given her twenty-four hour’s warning. Thankfully, Gail had been willing to swap days off with her, and because she didn’t own much, it hadn’t taken her long to pack. That also meant it hadn’t taken long for the movers to transport her meager possessions and for her to then unpack. Which finally meant, with the difference in space, her new home looked sadly empty—even with the strategic placement of her plants to make it appear less so.

But she still loved it.

She wasn’t any closer to work, distance-wise—being on the whole other side of the Valley—but she was in a far nicer neighborhood. She’d already met her neighbor across the hall—a fellow college student in her junior year—who seemed very nice after their twenty-minute meet and greet. Something that would’ve been unheard of at her old place. Anna had lived there for two years and had never interacted with a single soul other than the occasional smile or wave in passing. But the best thing about her new place was the private, attached garage. No more walking through a parking lot alone late at night.

So, on the whole, Anna was happy. She’d just be happier if Vas were there with her.

Which, to her delight, happened six days later when she found him standing by her car after work, waiting for her.

“Is that Vas?” Tiffany asked as they stepped out the back door of the diner.

Anna looked over and, sure enough, Vas was looking casual with his arms and ankles crossed and his ass leaned against the driver’s side door of her car.

“Well, I guess I don’t need to tell you to have a good night,” Tiffany snickered, waving goodbye as she headed for her car.

Elation filled her and Anna rushed over to Vas, throwing herself against his chest as he opened his arms wide. “I thought you didn’t get back until tomorrow.”

He hugged her and his lips brushed her temple. “I caught an earlier flight.”

She leaned back to look at him. “Why are you out here? You should’ve come in and had a piece of pie.”

“If I did that, then you couldn’t throw yourself into my arms. And I couldn’t do this…”

His lips were on hers less than a second later. Like an out-of-control fire, their simple kiss turned into a raging inferno in a matter of seconds. She gripped his sides for purchase, her fingers curling into the fabric of his tee as his fingers dove into her hair, tipping her head back as his tongue snaked its way past her lips and invaded her mouth.

“God, I’ve missed you,” he murmured between nibbling kisses.

“I’ve missed you too.” She flicked her tongue, tracing his bottom lip.

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