Your wolf like ways so oft recurring
In my mind like mourning doves.
Lillia Talts Morrison.
The next few days passed in a blur for Annie. Work was as busy as usual and if she wanted any free time at the weekend then she was going to have to mark the finished assignments that had been submitted early. She would stay up late each night trying to get as far ahead as she could, it was better than sleeping anyway as she was still dreaming of Hugh every time she closed her eyes. Still, even though she felt tired, she was still happier than she had felt in ages, to the point that even her colleagues had noticed. By Wednesday night, Annie was already deciding what she was going to wear to dinner and she had managed to book a table at a little French restaurant by the river that she particularly fond of.
Amelie phoned that evening to see how Annie and Sabine were doing.
“I’m fine Amelie, really I am. Erm...while we are chatting, did you give anyone my address when we were at Aimeé’s wedding?” asked Annie.
“No, I wouldn’t do that, why do you ask?”
“Well,” she began slowly, “The man from the wedding turned up here.”
“Oh My Goddess! Annie are you alright? I can come over for a few days it’s no pr...”
“No it’s fine”, Annie cut her off. “I’m just not sure how he got my address that’s all.”
“What did he want?” asked Amelie, fearful he had rejected her.
“To go to lunch.” replied Annie.
“Lunch?”
“Yeah, lunch.”
“So, did you go?”
“No, we went for a drink instead, talked a bit.”
“And?”
“He’s a bit old fashioned but it was ok, I guess. We are going out on Saturday for dinner.”
Annie could literally feel her sister’s excitement. “I’m so happy for you Annie,” then she paused. “What does he look like?” asked Amelie suddenly.
“Well he’s got dark hair, slightly greying at the sides, tall, wide, you know, typical werewolf shape, why?”
“Hmm, well, when we were going to brunch with Ben’s parents, the usual omega didn’t show up to escort us, it was a tall, dark man. He asked if there was someone missing, even mentioned the dress you were wearing the night before, so we said you had left, he then literally marched us to the dining room and stalked off. I thought it was a little odd at the time, do you think it was him?”
“Sounds like it, and you definitely didn’t give him my address?” asked Annie.
“No, and neither did Jacques, we wouldn’t Annie honestly.”
“It’s ok.” sighed Annie, “Not to worry, I’m just not sure how he found me that’s all.” said Annie, deciding to change the subject.
The rest of their chat was talking about how Annie had gone to Bleasdale and how well Sabine was doing as well as other mundane things, with Amelie dropping in sly questions about Hugh.
Annie laughed, “Honestly Amelie, I will tell you something when there’s something to tell.”
“I hope it goes well for you, I want you to be happy.” smiled Amelie.
“I am very happy as I am thank you, and don’t be buying a new hat, its only dinner.” laughed Annie.
“Yes, but it is a second date!” teased Amelie.
“Stop!” laughed Annie.
Their phone call finished with Annie promising to call the following week and then she went back to choosing an outfit for Saturday, a big smile on her face.
By Friday, Annie realised she had taken to picking up her phone every five minutes to see if there had been a call. Her old insecurities started to resurface once more and there was nothing she could do to control them. What if he doesn’t call, what if he didn’t like her and changed his mind, what if he found her a bit boring or plain. Annie looked down at the claret coloured wrap around dress and stilettos, maybe he preferred the flashiness of the Reiver women. They were all so curvy with ample breasts and she had the chest of a twelve year old boy, Annie found she was starting to hyperventilate.
“Annie, calm down,” panted Sabine. “You’re stressing me out.”
Annie took some slow breaths and had a stern word with the insecure part of her personality, telling it to pull itself together. Why did she give a damn what Hugh sodding Crozier thought anyway, stuffing her papers in her bag she was preparing to go home when her phone rang. Annie glanced at the screen,
UNKNOWN NUMBER
Annie almost dived on her phone, steadying herself with more slow breaths she answered.
“Hello, this is Professor Lovell.” she held her breath.
“Hi Annie, it’s Hugh.”
Annie’s heart skipped a beat. “Hello Hugh, how are you?” she cringed at how stiff she sounded.
“I’m great, just checking we are still on for tomorrow night?”
“Yes, I booked a table at a French place for eight thirty, I hope that’s ok.” Little Miss Insecure was back and wondering if Hugh even liked French food.
“Perfect.” said the soft Scottish accent. “I’m actually driving down now, would you meet me for a drink tonight?”
“Tonight?” Annie almost squeaked, regaining her composure she asked “Sure, what time and where?”
“Meet me at The Stag again at eight?”
“Ok, I’ll see you then.”
They said their goodbyes and hung up and Annie bolted for the bus. She had originally planned on marking as many assignments as she could get through tonight before meeting Hugh tomorrow. She checked the time, three thirty, she ought to be able to get through a couple before grabbing a shower and heading out if she got a move on. Annie squeezed herself on the first bus that arrived, it was so packed she could hardly breathe but she didn’t want to waste any time waiting for the next one. Getting off in town she walked as quickly as she could back home, grabbing a coffee she headed straight to her office to start marking. By seven she had managed to mark three assignments and shove a sandwich down her throat before diving into the shower and quickly dressing. She chose tight black jeans, a thin loose cashmere jumper and black ankle boots. Shaking her hair out of the loose bun she had tied it in, she applied light make up and checked herself out in the full length mirror.
“Not bad.” Sabine said encouragingly.
“It will have to do,” said Annie flustered, “We’re running out of time.”
Annie could feel how Sabine was longing to meet with Hugh again, Annie was looking forward to seeing him again but she still had her reservations about how any potential relationship might progress. There were so many complications that could trip them up. Would she really give up everything, could she do that? Annie didn’t think so. Well if this relationship was going to go anywhere, they were going to have to find a way. She wondered how Reivers felt about compromise, then she shuddered, how would she fair in negotiations with a Reiver? Well, they were going to have to think of something if this was going to work. Annie put on her long coat, took one last look in the hallway mirror and headed out the door.