Chapter 01

APOV

It's the beginning of March here in Savannah. The weather is getting warmer and the tourist season is starting. At least I'll make some good money. I do what I do every day - I get dressed, go to work, go home to mom's house, and repeat.

"Ana, you've got a table." John, my manager, tells me. I tie my apron and with my new guest check book, I make my way over to the table. Silently, I grumble when I see it's a table of businessmen. Let's see how long it takes for one of them to call me 'honey'.

"Hi, Welcome to Moon River Brewery. I'm Ana and I'll be your server today." I give my usual spiel without enthusiasm.

An older looking man just says, "I'll have an Arnold Palmer." I'm looking at the book while writing down everyone's orders.

Suddenly, I hear next to me, "Ana?" I recognize that voice instantly and my world stops. I look up and it's him, Christian. I haven't seen him for more than eight months since I left him after he hit me with his belt. My heart is beating fast and I feel like I am going to break out in a sweat. I try to sound nonchalant.

"I'll give you a few minutes and will come back with your drinks." I quickly walk back towards the bar taking deep breaths to try and calm down. I can't do this. I'm going to ask John if I can have a different table. He'll understand.

Before I can have the chance to do anything, I hear, "Anastasia. I know you heard me back there." Ugh, I can't catch a fricken break.

I turn to him. "Christian, hi."

He looks at me accusingly. I've forgotten how intimidating he is. "Ana, what are you doing here?"

"I'm at work. What are you doing here?" What exactly is he trying to imply?

He narrows his eyes at me. "I'm at work." He answers calmly. Too calmly.

"Listen, Christian. I have to go back to work." I quickly try to leave before he can say anything else.

"Ana, we need to talk."

"Christian, I can't right now."

"Meet with me when you're done work." It's not as much of a question than it is a demand. Bossy Christian.

I'm almost breathless. Barely above a whisper I respond, "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Please, Ana." I start to nod my head in response. "I'm not going to give up so if you want me off your back just meet with me. We need to talk." He is relentless. I forgot about that.

"Fine. I get done at 4:30. You can meet me here." A look of relief runs across his face. With a look of satisfaction, he goes back to his table.

John comes up to me, "Everything ok, Ana?"

"Um, actually, can I have a different table?" John's a good guy so he doesn't ask any questions.

"Sure. I'll swap with you. You can have table 30."

Thankfully, the rest of the afternoon is busy so it doesn't give me a lot of time to think. I'm cashing out and pulling together my tips at 4:30 when I see Christian enter the restaurant. I was hoping he wasn't as good looking as I remember, but he is. And he still smells so good. I take my apron off, put it in my locker, and say goodbye to John.

I walk up to Christian and lead him outside. "It's good to see you. Where do you want to go?" He asks me.

"We can walk along the river. Let's go this way." I lead him down the steps to River Street."

"Are you hungry?" Some things don't change.

"No."

"Ana, I can tell you've lost a lot of weight. It's not good for you. You didn't have the weight to lose to begin with."

"Christian, that is really none of your concern and if you haven't noticed, I work at a restaurant." A look of anger flashes across his face but he quickly changes it.

"How are you?" I know he's trying to make conversation and it appears Kate kept her promise and didn't tell him anything.

"I'm OK."

"Are you?"

"What do you want to hear, that I've had the worst year of my life?"

"Is that why you're here? In Savannah?" His question brings back one of the worst days of my life.

It was the day after I left Christian. My head was pounding from crying all night long and there was a knock on the door. When I open the door, it's Ray. "Daddy, what's wrong?"

"Annie, it's your mom. She and Bob were in a car accident. She's in the ICU and Bob didn't make it." It takes me a while to process what he just said.

"What?" Tears start to spring from my eyes even when I thought I had no more left to cry.

"I think you should get to Georgia. I'll help you pack a bag and we'll both fly down there. OK, sweetie?" The rest of the day is in a fog for me. I don't remember how we got to the airport or even the flight. I just remember seeing mom in the hospital bed, bruised and battered, hooked up to tubes.

"Oh, Momma. Please, be ok..."

"The day after I left…" I inhale and exhale. I can't bring myself to finish the sentence and I hear Christian breathe in as well. "... my mom and Bob were in a car accident. Mom was in ICU for a couple of months and Bob didn't make it. I decided to stay here with her. Not only did she have a physical recovery to go through but she just became a widow for the second time in her life."

"Anastasia, I'm so sorry. Is she OK now?" He asks and I am disarmed by the sincerity in his voice.

"She's getting there. Physically she is back to normal but Bob's death has been really hard on her, especially during the holidays."

Suddenly, he stops walking. "What's wrong?" I ask him.

"I'm sorry, truly. I wish I would have known." Hearing him and his voice makes my heart constrict. I thought if I put enough distance between us, I would get over him. But I can tell it didn't work - I just pushed everything down. Unsure of what to say, I just shrug.

He caresses my face with his hand and that electricity is still there. "I've missed you, Ana. I tried to call you but your number was disconnected. Kate wouldn't tell me anything. I think she hates me even more if that's possible." It makes me smile.

"Christian, this isn't a good idea. I better go."

"Ana, please wait." I can't wait. I don't want to cry in front of him. I don't want to let him know I regret meeting him because if I hadn't met him, I wouldn't have felt how good and bad love can make you feel.

"No, Christian. Good luck." I turn and without looking back head to my car before he can catch up with me.