"Finally, we get a fun evening together," said Kelly as Anna walked into Kelly and John's small and tastefully decorated home.Anna and Kelly had been inseparable friends since childhood, going to the same school together and both now teaching at that same school, but for the past few years, Anna's complicated relationship had given Anna and Kelly less leisure time together.Anna's marriage to Alan Shangle had been a difficult time for their friendship as Alan made more and more demands on Anna's time. Kelly always suspected that Alan did that just to keep Anna isolated, away from the positive influence of Kelly's friendship. After the divorce, Anna and Kelly spent more time together, but as Kelly's relationship bloomed with John, Anna always wanted to be sure to leave space for that relationship to develop. She knew John and Kelly were the perfect match."I'm so happy," said Anna as she sat down in her friend's living room, "and I have so much to talk over with you.""Oh, that sounds
"Hello?" Anna thought Ethan's voice sounded even more sexy and soothing over the phone."Hi, is this Ethan? This is Anna. Anna Shelby," Anna said, her voice a bit shaky."Well, hello there, Anna Shelby. I'm so glad you called," he answered."I got your roses. They were very beautiful, thank you.""Only half as beautiful as you, and it's my pleasure," said Ethan. Anna blushed, happy that the conversation wasn't in person. "Have you given any thought to my invitation?""Yes," Anna answered, "I'd love to join you for dinner.""Wonderful, where would you like to go?""Well, I know this nice Italian place in Chesterville called Tony's. Do you know where that is?" Anna asked."I can find it. It's pretty easy to find everything in the little towns around here. How about this Saturday? Can I pick you up around seven?"Anna felt a rush of fear. Was she really going on a date with this gorgeous stranger? She didn't really know anything about him. "I need to go to Chesterville Saturday anyway, so
Almost a week had passed, and Anna and Ethan had been talking on the phone almost every day. Anna was happy, but nervous at the same time because she was afraid her relationship with Ethan was just too good to be true.Kelly disagreed strongly, nearly squealing with delight when Anna had told her how the first date had gone."This is right for you, I know it. I feel it," Kelly had told Anna.It was Friday, and Anna had been excited all day about the second date. Ethan had chosen a restaurant in Bluewater, a larger city about an hour's drive away from Belleville.It was almost time for Ethan to pick her up, and Anna was putting some finishing touches on her makeup. Ethan had chosen a more formal restaurant in the city, so she had gone shopping with Kelly earlier in the week and bought a deep green dress that formed perfectly to her figure and matched the color of her emerald eyes. Green was always a perfect color for her, not only because of her eye color, but also because it accentuate
Anna slept soundly the night of the date, although she had expected to lay awake daydreaming with excitement. Maybe it was the alcohol. Or maybe it was contentment, that feeling she always hoped for that would tell her she no longer had to daydream about the perfect life.A few days passed, and Anna and Kelly paused for a few minutes in the parking lot after work to have a chat."I'm almost as excited about next weekend as you are," laughed Kelly."I'm thrilled, but I'm also a little uncertain," Anna told her friend."Uncertain? Girl, you need to stop letting those demons of your past mess with your future. Please, try to forget about that stupid Alan," Kelly begged."I'm trying. Believe me, I'm trying," Anna answered. "I'm headed for the grocery store. Need anything for dinner?""Okay fine, change the subject," Kelly teased. "I do, but I need to run home first to grab my shopping list, so I'll be right behind you.""Okay, I'll see you there," said Anna.Both women drove off for their
"Anna, hello. I was just thinking about you," said Ethan when he picked up his phone."Hi Ethan. I've been thinking about you, too," Anna answered in a shaky voice."What's wrong? I sense a 'but' coming next in that sentence," Ethan said, concerned."Well, it's not anything I want to talk about over the phone. Can you meet me for dinner tomorrow at Tony's? I think we need to talk.""Yes, of course," Ethan answered reluctantly. He sensed there was something very wrong in Anna's voice. "Will around seven work for you? Or I could pick you up earlier …""Seven will work, thanks. I'll just meet you there again, if that's okay," answered Anna."Yes, that's fine. I guess I'll see you then.""See you then. Take care, bye Ethan," Anna said, quickly hanging up the call. She winced and let out a deep breath, knowing she had worried him and most likely hurt his feelings. This was going to be hard. She'd have to stay strong.She looked down at Sammy, still sitting contently in her lap. "You're so l
A few days had passed, and Anna still felt uneasy about breaking it off with Ethan. She'd been distracted every day at work and felt like she wasn't giving her students her all because she just couldn't focus. Kelly had noticed a difference in her, but Anna had avoided talking to her friend so she wouldn't have to get a lecture about breaking up with Ethan.She got home that night and went through the motions of making dinner, cleaning up around the house, and trying to catch up on her reading. But later that night, she had read the same page twice and still couldn't get a handle on the story."Well, this is useless," she said aloud to herself, slamming her book closed. "Did I do the wrong thing? Or was it the right thing? How am I supposed to know the difference?'Memories flooded in as she compared the beginnings of her relationship with Alan with her recent dates with Ethan. Alan had been polite and nice, but when she really thought about it, he never truly seemed like he was listen
After work the next day, Anna pulled into her driveway and noticed something unusual on her front porch. She kept driving into her garage behind her house, closed up the garage, and walked around front to see what it was.As she turned the corner, she noticed flowers, a large arrangement of spring colors arranged in a basket display.She trembled.'Alan wouldn't leave me flowers, would he? They must be from Ethan, but he agreed to give me space. They'd better not be from Alan,' she thought, looking around nervously to see if anyone was nearby. The street was empty.She took a deep breath and went closer to see who they were from, noticing a small envelope at the top. Inside was a small card with a floral watermark that read, 'Join me for another date, Anna? I promise we'll take things slow. --Ethan.'She didn't know which emotion she felt more strongly, the relief that Alan wasn't stalking her or the thrill of Ethan asking her out for another date. She smiled and brought the flowers in
Early Friday evening, Ethan arrived and stepped out of his black SUV in front of Anna's house. He was dressed casually for the county fair, in jeans and a dark blue t-shirt that showed off his well-defined muscles. Anna met him at the door. Anna met him at the door wearing a floral sundress and strappy sandals. "You look incredible, Anna, as always," he said as he took her hand in his."Thanks, you too," she said, squeezing his hand. "We're still waiting on Kelly and John. They should be here soon.""Perfect," said Ethan."In the meantime, come on in and we'll have a cup of coffee or something," Anna said, motioning toward the door. Their hands slid away from one another's as they both stepped inside."And who is this?" Ethan asked, walking over to pet Sammy on the sofa. "Sammy, right?""Yes, that's right!" Anna exclaimed, amazed that he could remember such a detail from their first date."I never forget a pet's name," he explained as he scratched Sammy behind his ears.They laughed,