Chapter 42 Moving On

Anna curled into John’s arms as she cried. She wasn’t even sure why she was crying, the rational part of her knew that Isabel wasn’t worth it. The scared, poor girl that lived in a trailer and looked up to her smart, beautiful cousin was decimated. Isabel had always been what she’d wanted to be, and now even though she knew the dark heart that hid under her skin, she still mourned the loss of the relationship she’d always wanted.
“I feel stupid.” She said in a small voice “I just kept giving her chance after chance because I didn’t want to believe that she would do these things but there is no way to deny it.”
“We all do it, see the best in those we love, it’s a natural human reaction, to seek connection.”
“But to blindly keep letting her hurt me, what does that say about me?”
“That you are a loving, kind person.”
“No, it means I’m gullible,” Anna said hiding her face.
“Hey,” he said tilting her chin up “it’s okay to trust people, don’t let Isabel kill that in you. If you hadn’t believed me the night of our anniversary party I can’t imagine where we would be now.”
Anna knew where they would be now, apart. She sighed and kissed him gently. “I guess you’re right, I just have to be more careful who I trust.”
“I think we both do.”
***
The next two weeks flew by, Anna worked hard, stayed late, and quickly turned the Rathmore restaurant account round. The multi-platform marketing campaign Anna designed was a huge success and the client signed on for another five years with the company. Anna spent a lot of time with her team, especially Bess and Nathan. She got to know them both well and knew that they were perfect for each other, if only they could get out of their own way.
“Nathan, what are you doing after work tonight?” Anna asked on Friday afternoon as the ink was still drying on the Rathmore contract.
“Are you asking me out? “He said with a raised eyebrow. “I don’t date married women. And honestly, I’m shocked that you would because frankly I’ve seen your husband and he would kill us both.”
“No idiot! I wondered if you might want to go get drinks with Bess.”
“Bess? “ She’s not really my type, she’s amazing but I don’t think she and I would have much in common.”
“So you’re not attracted to her?” Anna asked as she kept an eye on the door. She prayed Bess didn’t hate her for talking to him but she had to try.
“I didn’t say that,” Nate muttered as he ran his hands over his neatly trimmed beard looking out the window. “She’d beautiful.”
“So…”
“I just don’t know.”
“She likes Star Wars, Like really likes Star Wars.”
Nathan was silent, but he turned and smiled widely “I’m in, I’ll ask her out.”
“You’ll ask who out?” Bess said as she breezed into the office with the latest project printouts.
“No one, don’t worry about it,” Nathan said quickly.
“Come on are you serious?” Bess said with a laugh as she slapped the paper down and hit him on the arm, “Spill, who is it?”
John poked his head in and Anna got her stuff and took his hand. She looked back as they walked out and smiled as she saw Nathan and Bess leaning close.
“What?” John asked quietly as they drove to the restaurant for dinner.
“I just did a good thing, or tried to.”
“Hmm, you weren’t by any chance sticking your nose in where it doesn’t belong?”
“Nope, just helping a friend.”
***
John snorted and handed the keys to the valet as he came around to help her out. “Sure.”
“What?” She said with a smile as she pulled him in for a kiss.
“You are so transparent that’s all.”
“I try not to be.”
“I just know you too well.”
“So I’m no longer surprising?” Anna asked as they walked into the restaurant.
“No, you never cease to amaze me.”
“How so?” She asked quietly as they were seated.
“You are so amazing, everything you set your mind to you to conquer completely.”
“Such as?”
“The Rathmore account?”
“Well, Yes.”
“I am so proud of you.”
“Thank you.” Anna smiled as she took a sip of her wine.
“But not just for that, for how you’ve handled things the last few weeks, for everything.”
“That means the world to me.”
John smiled and kissed her hand “You are one of the strongest women I’ve ever known. You always have been, even if you didn’t always see it. You came from one of the roughest backgrounds I’ve ever seen and yet you rose from it.”
“You’re making me blush, “Anna said as she linked their fingers.
She smiled and tried to forget the mention of her childhood but suddenly she was a young girl hiding bruises again, praying that the next time they wouldn’t kill her.
“What’s wrong?” John asked as he felt her pull away.
“Nothing,” Anna said as she pulled her hand free. Sometimes things snuck up on your and blindsided you. Anna pretended to look at the menu but John wouldn’t allow her to hide from him.
“Anna I know you too well, Talk to me. “
Anna turned her face away as the past snuck up on her with a vengeance and left her breathless.