Page 141 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

Ranya: Okay. Talk soon

He set his phone aside and returned to the kitchen, checking on the food as he finished preparing dinner.

Ody was getting ready to see Anna. There was no putting it off anymore. He didn’t know if he’d tell her everything. He hadn’t thought that far ahead. But one thing was certain, Anna would ask. And when she did, he knew what he wanted to say, he just didn’t know how far he’d have to go.

Once he was ready, he got into his car. She’d insisted on meeting at a restaurant instead of his place. He pulled up outside her building and waited. A few minutes later, she came down.

The moment she got in, she threw her arms around him. “Baby! I missed you!” She held him tight.

His eyes widened. This wasn’t how Anna had been acting these past few weeks.

She pulled back, smiling, and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “How are you? Did you miss me?”

He let out a small, awkward chuckle. “Of course,” he said, forcing a smile.

“Ready to go?” she asked, already turning to fasten her seat belt.

Neither of them said much on the way.

They pulled up outside the restaurant, and a few minutes later, they were seated across from each other at a round table, a candle flickering between them.

She talked about Mykonos, asked questions, kept the conversation going.

He nodded when he had to, answering just enough.

“Anna…”

She looked up, smiling.

“I need to tell you something.”

“What is it, baby?” She set her fork down, reaching for her glass.

His fingers curled against the table. “It’s just… something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.”

“Eat first,” she said, nodding toward his plate. “Your food’s getting cold.”

“I’m fine. Just… let me say it.”

“You’re not gonna eat the rest?”

“No.” He paused, trying again. “I’ve been trying to—”

“Maybe we should get dessert?” she cut in. “I saw a chocolate soufflé on the menu.”

“No, Anna. I don’t want dessert.”

She raised her hand as the waiter passed by. “A chocolate soufflé, please.”

“Of course.”

She turned back to him, smiling. “You know, I’ve been wanting to try this place for ages. Everyone keeps talking about their desserts.”

Ody stared at her.

“And apparently their pasta is really good too,” she went on, picking up her fork. “We should come here again sometime. Maybe next week?”

“Anna…”