For the next two weeks I saw no more of Anna than during mornings, when I got a wave and a smile from across the street. It drove me crazy, but there was nothing I could do about it. I asked Race why I didn't see them together, but he seemed just as confused as I.

"She always has things to do lately," he said with a sigh. "And when I do see her, she seems a little distant, like she's thinking of something else. It's all work related stuff, though, I guess. She says she can't wait to see me, to really see me. So I guess I'll just wait." He brightened at this thought and I smiled, too. He needed her, it was plain to see. And I… I got by.

-

I got by… until early in the third week. Race had gone out for the night to settle some debts, and, not wanting to risk getting a few bruises, I had decided to stick around the Lodging House, and so sat on my favorite step, smoking the night away like usual. I heard Anna coming before I saw her, but still didn't meet her eyes until she said my name.

"Michael, I-"

"He's out for the night," I told her and gave her a sympathetic smile. "Sorry." But she looked almost relieved.

"I know," she said slowly, and took a deep breath. I noticed now that she was shaking just the slightest bit. She was nervous about something. "Michael, I… I came here looking for you."

I raised my eyebrows, surprised, and felt what I thought was probably a similar nervousness.

"Will you take a walk with me?" She asked. This time she was bundled up against the cold, but I didn't have many layers and had been planning to go inside soon.

"Sure," I said, and jumped up.

"You'll be cold," she said with a frown. "It's ok, we can go inside…" She flushed and then smiled at me again and motioned for me to follow her.

We walked a few steps and then I tentatively put my arm around her shoulder in the same fashion it had been weeks ago, and she sighed softly and leaned against me again.

"Where are we going?" I asked after a few minutes.

"I… I thought that maybe you would like some coffee," she said. "My parents are in Jersey, and… well you just looked so cold out there. Lonely."

"Ah," I said, then, "coffee sounds great. Thanks."

We walked in silence, enjoying each other's company, and came to her door. I was freezing, but said nothing. She climbed the first step towards the door, then stopped and turned before I could follow. We were eye level, now, and I felt my breath catch in my throat.

Our eyes met and locked, hers so blue and warm and mine a deep, unreadable brown. Then, moving so slowly it was like we were in a dream, she leaned forward and kissed me. My eyes remained open, wide in shock, but they closed slowly as I enjoyed the warmth and softness of her lips against mine. She broke away and managed to meet my gaze again, and I saw her eyes shining with that same love I had lusted after for months. A thousand feelings rushed through me at once, most of them full of love, and made my vision blur slightly. I admired her courage at putting herself so forward like that, but it was my turn, so I jumped up the stairs, opened the door, and then grabbed her up in my arms. She laughed happily and I just grinned. I shut the door behind us and followed her pointed directions to her apartment.

At her door I faltered, my thoughts returning all at once to Race with a sickening feeling. She seemed to read my eyes, and hugged me tight around the neck.

"Michael," she said slowly. "This is about us."

I met her gaze and saw the love there. This is about us.

"I love you," I told her softly.

"I know," she said, and kissed me again. I reached around her to open the door, then stepped in and finally let her down, closing it quietly behind us. She stood there, looking so small and vulnerable, and for the first time seemed unsure of herself. I bent down and kissed her lips, one hand going behind to cradle her head. She relaxed and deepened the kiss, wrapping her arms around my neck and biting my lower lip gently. I picked her up again so her legs were wrapped around my waist and carried her over to the bed in the corner, where I sat and continued to hold her close.

I broke away only once, and it was to get a proper look at her, one to burn into my memory before I pulled her down to the sheets with me.

-

After, I dared not fall asleep, because it would mean missing time with her. She slept soundly in my arms, our bare skin sticking in the heat we had created. In one moment I thought I could die happily, and in the other, of what would happen the next day.

But I didn't bother myself worrying, instead I memorized her peaceful sleeping face and brushed the hair from her eyes. Everything was perfect.