Ryan sighed as he sat down on his couch. Hearing Anna make such a passionate speech, knowing that he had hurt her so much, made Ryan’s heart ache. It also made him realize just how much he still loved Anna.
“This is so messed up.” Ryan said to himself.
“Are you still talking to yourself?” Trent asked, coming out of the kitchen. He carried a turkey sandwich, a can of Pepsi, and a bag of chips. Ryan nodded.
“Anna is still in love with me.” Trent nodded and popped a chip in his mouth.
“Of course. You both were so in love and then all of sudden, it’s over. And then you hooked up with her best friend.”
“I didn’t want to hurt her.” Ryan said, looking down at the beige carpet.
“I know. But you freaked out on her, got together with Reese and totally screwed up their friendship. And truth be told, I think you’re still in love with her.”
“I am.” Ryan confessed softly. “But I really care about Reese. I don’t know what to do.”
“Well, Ry. You love Anna and care about Reese. There’s your answer.” Ryan sighed. If only it were that easy.
****************
Anna opened her swollen eyes and was met with harsh sunlight. Usually Anna enjoyed waking up to a bright sunny morning, but Anna had cried herself to sleep and sunlight was not what she wanted right now. What she wanted was to pull the covers up over her head and go back to sleep. Instead, Anna dragged herself out of bed and took a shower.
“Just my luck.” Anna said as she put on her makeup. “ I got two hours of sleep and I have to shoot today.” When Anna arrived on set, Ryan was nowhere to be found.
“Anna, set twelve.” Anna finished shooting her scenes five and half hours later and almost left without seeing Ryan. But there he was, standing next to the rack on which her Armani jacket hung.
“Ryan.” Anna stated simply, blushing furiously. Ryan looked down at the ground, then grabbed Anna’s jacket and handed it to her.
“Thank you.” Anna said, turning to quickly leave. Ryan grabbed her arm.
“Can we meet for coffee later? Like around seven-thirty or so?” Anna shrugged her shoulders.
“I guess. The cafe on the corner of 5th and Main?” Ryan nodded. “I’ll see you later.” She walked out to her limo and instructed her driver to take her home. What am I doing? Anna asked herself. Later that night, wearing a navy sweatshirt, cut off jean shorts, and a baseball cap, Anna walked into Mary’s Irish coffee shop and headed to the booth where Ryan was sitting.
“Hey.” Anna said, sitting down. Ryan looked up from the menu.
“Hi.” He put the menu down and devoted his attention to her.
“What did you want to talk about?” Anna said, looking down at the chipped formica table.
“Us.” Ryan stated simply. “Or rather, what happened between us.” Anna didn’t look up from the table.
“Okay.” Ryan took a deep breath.
“I know I overreacted about you and Chris.” Anna laughed bitterly.
“You can say that again. You should have trusted me Ryan. I loved you.” Ryan put a hand under Anna’s chin, raising it until he was eye to eye with her.
“Loved?” Tears welled up in Anna’s blue eyes and a single tear slipped down her cheek.
“Still love.” Anna said softly. Ryan leaned over the table and lightly pressed his lips to Anna’s.
“Don’t.” Anna said, quickly pulling away. She grabbed her purse and got up to leave.
“Anna--”
“I have to go.” Anna said, cutting him off. Anna ran out of the coffee shop, trying to decided whether to go to her limo or walk the remaining distance to the beach. The beach won. When she arrived, she was vaguely aware of the fact that this was the beach that Ryan had brought her to. Anna sat down in the soft sand and started sobbing. She wrapped her arms around her denim clad legs and rocked back and forth. Anna wanted to be with Ryan so badly, it was a physical ache. She drew in a shaky breath of the salty air, trying to calm down. It was then that she realized that Ryan had followed her.
“Anna--” Ryan said. Anna cut him off.
“As if things weren’t bad enough. You had to kiss me! What--” Ryan silenced her by kissing her again.
“You have a girlfriend!” Anna cried. Ryan grabbed Anna by her shoulders as if to shake some sense into her.
“Anna, listen to me.” Anna looked at him tearfully. “I love you. I care about Reese, but I love you. You’re the one I want.”
“Ry--” Ryan put a finger up to her full lips.
“Anna,” Ryan paused. “You’re the most amazing woman I have ever met, I was a fool to let you go. And I am so sorry that I ruined your friendship with Reese.”
“Is there a point to this speech?” Anna asked, trying to sound angry and impatient. Her voice was weak and quivering.
“You’re the one I want to be with.” Anna looked down at the sand, trying to squelch the hope building inside of her,
“What about Reese?” Anna asked softly.
“I’ll figure out how to tell her. I just hope you guys can save your friendship.” Anna looked at Ryan. “So are we going to try this again?” For the first time in the past month, Anna smiled.
“Yes.” Anna replied. “And this time it’s going to work.”