The next morning at breakfast, things were awkward for Trent and Anna. They sat at separate ends of the table. Trivette and Carlos kept looking at each other and then back at Trent and Anna. They knew something was wrong.

Carlos broke the silence. "So, Anna, what time do we leave tomorrow?"

She looked up from the paper. "We can leave whenever. It's my plane so just let me know." Carlos nodded.

Trivette tried next. "What are we going to do today then?"

Anna thought for a minute. "You guys can go off and do whatever you want. I think I might do a little shopping on Saks if anyone wants to join me." Carlos and Trivette both looked at Trent. He was pretended not to notice.

Carlos said, "Well, Trivette and I were thinking of going to lunch and then if it's okay, we could meet you somewhere at Saks."

Anna nodded. "Sounds good to me."

Trivette turned to Trent, "What are your plans, Trent?"

"I'm not sure yet."

"Why don't you come with Carlos and me?"

Trent sighed. "I'll see."

"Okay. If you do come, meet us downstairs in an hour."

Trent just nodded. Carlos and Trivette decided the tension was too thick for them so they quickly finished and left, leaving Trent and Anna alone.

Trent put the paper down and stared at the beautiful woman across from him. Anna continued to sip her coffee. "You know Anna, we're going to have to talk about what happened sometime."

She sighed and ran her fingers through her silky black hair. "I know but I can't right now. I have to get dressed and meet Jax for lunch."

"Business?"

"Pleasure. I haven't spent any time alone with him and I miss talking to him."

Trent sat in thoughtful silence. "All right. How about I go with Carlos and Trivette for lunch and we all meet back here later on. Then just you and I go to dinner."

She glanced across the room and then turned back to him. "Sure."

"Good. Did you want to meet back here at around five or so?"

"Make it six."

Trent nodded. "See you at six then." She stood up and walked towards her room. "Should I dress up?" she asked before forgetting.

Trent stared at the opening in her robe. He snapped out of it. "Sure."

She smiled and walked off.

**********

Anna met Jax for lunch right at noon. She showed up in a long sleeved, baby blue, simple shirt with black slender pants and calf-high black boots. As soon as he saw Anna enter the restaurant, he stood up and gave her a hug a kissed her on the cheek. She sat and they began looking at their menus.

"Aren't you going to ask me about my eye?"

"Trent called me just before you got here to warn me."

A look of slight shock over took her face. "He did?" she said in astonishment.

Jax nodded. "Yeah. Why?"

"Did he happen to say anything else?"

Jax thought for a minute. "Nope."

She remained quiet for a moment to make sure. "Are you sure?"

He gave her a strange look. "Yes."

She decided to drop it and went back to her menu.

"So what do you feel like?" Jax asked.

"Something with Trent." Jax looked up. She caught herself. "I mean with trout." He looked at her quizzically. She hoped he would just forget about it.

The waiter came around. "Can I get you something to drink?" Anna turned to the waiter. "I'll have iced Trent." He looked at her. Her entire face turned bright red. "I mean iced tea. I'll have iced tea."

He then turned to Jax. "And you sir?"

"Iced Trent sounds good to me." The waiter smiled and left. Anna put her head in her hands and didn't want to look up. "You feel like Trent? Iced Trent? What's going on, Anna?"

She looked at her menu again. "Nothing is going on."

"Come on Ann."

"It's nothing. Let's just enjoy lunch."

He sighed and began to think it was pointless to continue this conversation. He began looking down the sandwich section when Anna slammed her menu down.

"I kissed Trent last night!" It was loud enough for everyone in the restaurant to hear. She looked around and blushed. "Sorry."

Jax seemed a little surprised. "What?"

"I kissed Trent."

"Where? When?"

She sighed and rubbed her face. "Last night. I came home and he started cleaning this cut I had on the top of my eyebrow and then we . . . just. . . it took me by surprise Jax." She had a flash of his lips touching hers. "But a nice surprise."

Jax smiled. "How?"

She looked at him strangely. "I thought you were supposed to get this talk in like fifth grade? Hell, I knew how by the time I was in second grade."

"You know what I mean. I want details."

"Details?"

"Yeah. You know like was he a good kisser-"

She rolled her eyes. "Oh God! Jax, I am not going to get into the details of last night."

"Well, I think it's great that you two. . .you know." She gave him a look. "What? It's not great?"

She sighed. " I don't know. I thought it was, but then . . he pushed me away."

"He's probably just scared."

"Yeah, or he doesn't like me."

He grimaced and rolled his eyes. "Look, it's obvious he likes you and you like him back. Just give it a little time."

The waiter came back with the drinks. "Okay, two iced Trent's." He said with a smile. "What can I get you to eat?" Jax looked at Anna who was still embarrassed.

"Could you be a little more sensitive?"

The waiter's face dropped. "I'm sorry."

"We would like another waiter."

"Sure." He left and Jax turned all his attention back to Anna.

"Trent and I are going out to dinner tonight to discuss this whole thing."

"What's to discuss?! Ann, I think you two should give this thing a shot."

She sighed not feeling completely convinced. "I'll think about it."

"Ann, I know that you two come from different upbringing, but I really think that he would be perfect for you."

She sighed and then smiled, "Thank you Jax. I needed to hear that."

"I'm always here for you." He kissed her hand. "Now, let's eat and then we can go shopping." She smiled at her best friend and then went back to looking at her menu, but she wasn't very hungry.

**********

Trent met Carlos and Trivette downstairs at noon. He was still debating as to whether or not he should tell them about last night. One thing was for sure, he was really looking forward to dinner tonight.

They decided to walk around until they found a place that looked good. They found a deli that wasn't too far from Central Park. They all got their orders and sat down at one of the tables outside. Trivette and Carlos were dying to find out what happened and why Trent and Anna had barely been speaking at breakfast. Trent kept pretty quiet.

Curiosity finally got the better of Carlos and he slammed his sandwich down and said, "Out with it."

Trent looked up with a puzzled look. "What?"

"You know what I'm talking about. You and Anna not talking this morning. I want to know why and I want to know why right now."

Trivette joined in. "I agree with Carlos."

"I don't know what you guys are talking about." Carlos folded his arms and sat back. Trent continued to eat.

Suddenly, it dawned on Carlos. He sat back up. "Oh my God. You slept with her!"

Trent looked up with a slight trace of panic. "What are you talking about?"

"I knew it! You slept with her!"

"I did not!"

"Come on! You can't fool me. You have that . . . glow about you. Don't worry, it looks really good on you."

"I kissed her Carlos!" Trent said, hoping to clear up the subject.

Carlos didn't even seem to notice Trent's remark. "I told you she liked you! Oh, I'm right and you're wrong." Carlos was beaming with pride.

"Are you finished?"

"Yes I believe I am." Carlos smiled, "I want details."

"Yeah, so do I." Trivette chimed in.

"You guys are so immature."

"I'll agree to that, now, tell us what happened."

Trent looked at them and started laughing. "I'm not telling you guys anything. It's none of your business."

"Man, one night with her and you're suddenly defensive." Trent pretended to hit him.

"Carlos is right, Trent. I think you're falling for her."

He looked at the ground and then he smiled. "I think you're right." He groaned and then looked back up.

Carlos seemed confused. "And that's a bad thing because . . . ?"

"You know I'm not good enough for her, Carlos."

"What are you talking about?!"

Trent sighed inwardly. "I'll find out tonight."

"Why?" Carlos asked.

"Because we have decided to go to dinner."

Carlos got a big grin on his face. "That's great!" he said with a grin. "See? You two are going to dinner. How cute is that? But might I suggest that you skip the dinner and go straight for the dessert."

Trent shot him a look. "For your information, we only kissed. Nothing more."

Trivette's grin grew even bigger. "Yeah, right."

Trent decided it wasn't worth it. No matter what he told them, they weren't going to believe him. "Alright. Let's finish lunch and then hang around the city."

Trivette smiled. "I'm up for that." Carlos nodded. They finished their lunch in the park.

**********

As Anna was putting the last touches on her outfit, she looked at the clock and noticed it was six-fifteen. She took a deep breath and walked into the main room. Trent turned around. He had black slacks on and a blue dress shirt. He looked very sexy. At least that's what Anna thought.

Trent stared in awe as Anna came down the stairs. She was dressed in a red cashmere tank top, with a red satin skirt that was decorated with floral designs. As she reached the bottom, she noticed he was in a daze. She cleared her throat to get him out of it. He shook his head to make sure it wasn't a dream. "Ready to go?"

She nodded. Carlos walked them to the door and pretended to cry. "My little boy is growing up so fast." Trent simply smiled. Carlos smiled again. "We won't wait up. And we'll be out of the room by the time you guys get back." The couple simply ignored him and left.

**********

Anna and Trent walked along the New York city streets not knowing where to go to eat. There was silence and finally Anna broke it. "What did you want to get to eat?"

Trent just looked into her big brown eyes. "I don't know. What do you feel like?"

She smiled. "Well, I was thinking, we could get head back to the hotel and just order some room service and then start up the fire place." Then she stopped. "I mean, if that's okay with you." She wasn't sure if she had moved too quickly. He smiled at her. "That sounds great." She was relieved and a soft smile washed over her face. She slid her arm into his and things were back to the way they had been before.

**********

After they had eaten, Anna ordered strawberries and champagne. "So, you and Carlos have been working together ever since he left the academy?"

"Yup." Trent took a sip of his champagne. "What about you? When did you realize that it was time to move on?"

Anna remained silent for a moment. "Michael was a mistake. I was constantly rationalizing with myself. I thought I deserved everything I got. No matter how severely I was beaten." She looked at the blanket they were sitting on. She took a deep breath and continued. "I realized it when the whole baby thing came into the picture." Tears began to weld up in her eyes. "I wanted that child so badly. I felt like something inside of me died along with that baby."

Trent wrapped his arms around her. She pushed herself away, but still remained in his embrace. "You have been absolutely wonderful to me. How can I thank you?"

Trent smiled at her and wiped away her tears with his thumbs. "You've done so much for me and my family. I owe you."

She let out a small laugh. "Believe me, it's me who owes you." She stared into his sympathetic eyes. She looked down at the floor and then back at him. "In fact, you saved my life."

"What do you mean?"

Anna couldn't look into his eyes anymore. "Trent, the reason I came to Dallas was to say good-bye to your family."

"What do you mean?"

She took a deep breath. "I wanted to kill myself."

"What?!" Trent said with a look of shock.

"I know it seems crazy, but I thought it was my only option." she said while pulling away. 'He must think I'm a crazy lunatic.' She thought to herself

"Anna." He said softly.

"I didn't know what else to do." She paused. "It seemed like my only option."

Trent pulled her close again. "Why? I mean, you knew my family would be there for you."

"It's hard to explain. I felt alone. All my life, I've had someone to care for. First, my parents and then Michael." She pulled back again. "I was scared and I didn't know what else to do. I thought I had lived through everything, that life was just one big disappointment and nothing more." She looked once again into his eyes. "But now, that I've met you, I know things don't work that way. You made me believe that decent guys do still exist and that there is more to life than all the parties and the money." She let out a laugh. "This probably sounds really pathetic to you."

Trent gave her a sympathetic look and embraced her again. "No it doesn't. In fact," he said, taking a deep breath. "I feel the same way about you. I thought this was all there was to life, but now I know there is so much more. And I want you to know that, I can't believe how quickly this relationship has taken off. I don't want this to end." He looked into her gorgeous brown eyes and she looked back. They both leaned into each other and found themselves locked in a romantic embrace. Trent gently laid Anna on the ground and continued to kiss her. It took all of Anna's strength, but she pushed him away while still keeping him close. "So what does this mean?"

"What do you think it means?" he asked not wanting to pressure her into anything.

Anna bit her lip. "Trent, I am going through a divorce right now. To a man who scarred me for life. I just don't want you to regret being with me and then leaving both of us hurt and right back where we started. I don't know if I can take that chance." 'Ugh! Why do I do this?' she thought. 'I always push people away. Still, I have to know.' "So, I need to know right now if you're serious about me or . . . if I would be a one night stand." she asked not sure if she wanted to know the answer.

Trent was slightly offended, but figured it was a fair question. He let out a sigh, and then picked up her hand. He gently caressed it. "Anna, I'm not Michael. Now, I know I can't promise you money, or diamonds, but I can promise you that I will never hurt you the way Michael did, to say the least."

She smiled at him and then kissed him softly. She put her forehead to his. "Thank you." He brushed a piece of hair back and began to caress her face.

"I understand." They began kissing once more and Trent laid her back down. Trent suddenly realized something else he had to clear up before they went any further. "What about Jax?"

Anna sat up, looking puzzled. "What about him?"

"I mean do you think that you could ever have. . .something with him?"

She gave him a small smile and looked right into his gorgeous blue eyes. "Jax is my best friend. We've never been anything more and even the thought of him like that, just completely turns me off."

"Yeah but-"

She quickly pushed her lips to his then pulled back. "What does that tell you?" she said, trying not to laugh at the expression on his face.

He thought for a moment. "I think it tells me. . ." He kissed her this time. He laid her back on the ground and continued to kiss her. He plunged his fingers into her silky black her.

In between the kisses, Anna mumbled, "This isn't going to work." Trent let go and moved back looking a little hurt. Anna saw this. "I mean, if it's alright with you, we could take it into the bedroom?"

Trent smiled and kissed her once more. He then picked her up and carried her into her room.

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