Free The Coming of Anna (The Manhattan Series) by Leilani Rinder

dream about Thomas? 
But no, as always, first Mark and then Anton had to come and disturb my dreams;
another way in which they manage to disrupt my life.
    I jump in the shower in an attempt to wash the cobwebs from
my mind.  No long, relaxing bath for me this morning.  I ignore the urge to
call Thomas and head straight for the conference facilities without having
breakfast.  I do not feel like talking to anyone today.  As long as I focus on
the material I prepared for today I will be okay.
    I have already started with the first part of my
presentation when Anton walks in.  He has a smile on his face and from the
blush on the face of the blond girl who enters the room only a minute later, I
can only guess what he had been up to again.  For a second I feel taken aback
and have to fight the confusion I feel building up in my mind.  I continue with
my speech but in my mind I am fighting a battle with myself.  I hate the
feelings seeing Anton and the blond had stirred up in me again.  I know I am
not in love with him; in fact I doubt if I ever was.  So what is this I am
feeling?  Jealousy?  Rage?
    By the conclusion of the day’s proceedings, I feel emotionally
drained.  I cannot wait to get out of here but after a standing ovation, people
flock to the front for a chance to talk to me.  I smile mechanically and answer
as many questions as possible.  I hand out my contact information to colleagues
who may need more help from me in future.  Then he is there again.  Anton
stands right in front of me, among the rest of the teachers, with a sardonic
smile on his face. 
    “So, Miss Lemar, will you be available to answer more of our
questions later during the evening?  Say, around dinner?”
    “Yes, let’s all go out to dinner together and Miss Lemar can
answer some more of our questions.  Come on, Anna, let us buy you dinner.  In
return you can just sit there and answer our questions while eating.  Come on,
you have to be tired after such a long day.  Let us buy you dinner,” another
excited teacher says.
    I realise I have not eaten yet and I am feeling famished. 
After skipping breakfast I could only manage a few cups of tea during
intervals, so I can feel my body needs nourishment.  I don’t want to spend the
evening in Anton’s company but at least there will be a whole crowd of people
with us.  I can also not think of a logical excuse as to why I would not be
able to have dinner with this friendly, welcoming crowd.
    The evening seems to be a success.  Wine is flowing as easy
as the conversation and I finally start to relax.  Quinton, one of the teachers
who attended the session today, is funny and entertaining.  If I had to guess,
I would say he is gay.  He is an attractive man – tall and slender with a
childlike look to him.  He entertains everyone with spoofs of famous speeches
by politicians.  For a thin white boy, he does a great Obama. 
    When I say that I am tired, he immediately jumps up and with
a salute, he says:  “At your service, Miss Lemar.  I would be honoured to
escort you to your boudoir.”
    Everybody laughs when I say:  “Thank you, my humble
servant.  But the front door of the hotel will do just fine.  My boudoir door
will be seen by none other than me.”
    I can see the irritation in Anton’s face when I say goodbye
to everyone with a mere wave of the hand.  Did he think there would be hugs and
kisses all around?
    When Quinton drops me in front of the hotel, he asks if I
would be okay going to my room alone.
    “Of course, Quinton.  I am a big girl.  Thank you for a
wonderfully entertaining evening.  It was just what I needed after such a
tiring day.  See you tomorrow.”
    With that I get out of his car.  I take the lift up to my
room.  When I go inside, I just kick off my shoes before dialling Thomas’s
number.  He sounds sleepy when he answers the phone.
    “I am sorry.  I did not realize how late it was.  I had just
walked in the door.”
    He