A: N

Song: The House of Love by Amy Grant.

Chapter Four: He'll be Coming Back to You.

"Ana! You're back!" Kate exclaimed. The sight of her friend surrounded by books nudged her about studying for her finals.

They lived in a community of duplex apartments close to the Vancouver campus of WSU. Kate's parents had bought the place for her, and Ana was lucky to pay peanuts for rent.

Ana hesitated before opening the front door, knowing that Christian was out there watching, making sure she got safely inside. She braced herself for the Kavanaugh inquisition that was sure to come.

"I was beginning to worry; I expected you back sooner," Kate said, hugging her.

"huh? Yes, the interview ran over..."

"How was it? What was he like?"

"A little intimidating at first..but then, he seemed to lighten up some...I fell asleep in his office... can you believe it?"

Kate let out a gasp.

"Courtesy of the Nyquil. And then, he insisted on driving me home, and then..."

"Wait...he drove you home? In my car?"

"No, he drove a Tesla, Model S. He had Taylor, his CPO drive the Mercedes. I figured you wouldn't mind since I felt too tired to drive."

"What?" Kate looked dumbfounded.

"I shouldn't have taken your Nyquil..."

"So that's what did it?" Kate shook her head, "Seriously, Ana. You've taken every single under-the-counter sleep aid out there...if you don't stop being overmedicating..."

Ana rolled her eyes. "Okay, mom. I got it, believe me. I think I've learned my lesson. Don't you think the whole situation was embarrassing enough already?"

"I hope so," Kate sighed. "Hey, so tell me...what was he really like?"

"He's quite the perfectionist...he's driven, very focused, intense, even-"

"Thank you for doing this, Ana. I owe you."

Ana bit her lip. She wasn't looking forward to explaining what happened after the interview.

"You do look better. Did you eat your soup?"

"Yes," she smiled in gratitude, "It was delicious as usual."

"Kate...

"What?"

"We had a little mishap. A mechanical failure with the Tesla."

"What? What happened?"

"We stopped at the side of the road...the view was amazing...and then we kissed."

Kate clapped her hands in delight, her lips forming a big O.

"Oh, stop it. There's nothing to celebrate," she scowled, "you know what he did after he kissed me?"

Kate's eyes widened to the eyes of saucers. "OH... did he complain about using protection?"

Ana rolled her eyes. "No, worse. WAY worse."

Kate's brows rose in alarm.

"Don't give me that look. No ring, no sex...remember? Anyhoo, the point is that he told me it was a mistake... that even though he likes me, he's happy with his fiancee."

Kate tilted her head just so, thinking. And then, suddenly, her best friend smiled a huge knowing smile.

Well, I bet you any amount of money,

He'll be coming back to you.

"But he kissed you, right? French kissed you?...

Ana half shrugged.

"AND you let him?"

"Oh, Kate. It was embarrassing. The whole thing was embarrassing. I'm glad I'll never have to lay eyes on him again."

"Oh, Ana. He sounds like he's quite taken with you."

"Taken with me?"

Ana let out a laugh. How ridiculous.

"What part of kissing me and then dumping me in the same second you didn't get?"

Kate simply stared at her like a gypsy staring at a glowing crystal ball.

Ooh I know there ain't no doubt about it

Sometimes life is funny

You think you're in your darkest hour

When the lights are coming on in the house of love.

...

For the rest of the week, Ana threw herself into her studies and her job at the daycare center at WSU. She barely saw Kate, who was busy compiling the last edition of the student newspaper.

On Wednesday, she called her mom in Montesano to check on her. Ana worried as soon as Carla started talking about her latest business venture. Carla was a big spender, and Ana hoped she hadn't done something crazy like mortgage the house. But mostly, she had called to reassure herself she was still on the right track, making better choices than her mom.

"How are things with you, Ana?

"I'm fine," she answered quickly.

"Ana?"

"What?"

"Are you dating yet?"

"No," she answered a little too quickly.

"Oh, my...Have you met someone?" The excitement in her mother's voice was unmistakable.

"Good things come to those who wait."

"Ana, you worry me...I don't want you to end up like your aunt Sylvia," she sighed, "the classic cat lady on Elm Street."

Ana rolled her eyes. Well, at least I'm not like you, happy to be a worthless concubine for nearly a decade.

"Aunt Sylvia is my role model, mom. So watch what you say about her."

Ana didn't want to be another Aunt Sylvia, the type others take advantage of. She'd only used her as a reference point; she wanted the world to see how she was the opposite of Carla while at the same time, avoiding becoming everybody's doormat.

During her teen years, Ana realized that the key was to adjust her behavior to fall between that sweet spot between kindness and didn't- give-a-shit. Not always an easy feat.

"I'm not...I'm just saying-"

"Mom, I gotta go. I have to call Daddy. He's got an earlier bedtime than you."

Carla got all quiet when she mentioned Ray.

Ana wanted to believe that was a good sign. Her mom needed to feel a good dose of old-fashioned guilt for breaking up their family to shack up with a married man. Even though Ana wasn't particularly religious, if there was indeed such a thing as the devil, he probably reserved a special place for double homewreckers.

"He's dating someone special, you know."

"Oh, really? Send him my best."

...

Later, Ana called Ray, her father, her favorite person in the entire world. Ray was a skilled carpenter with a heart of gold. He adopted Ana in his heart as though she was his own, and Ana never felt more loved than when she was with him. Her childhood was filled with memories of him taking her on those boring fishing trips and treating her like a princess.

"How's Stephanie doing?" Ana asked.

"We're no longer dating."

"Oh, daddy, I'm so sorry."

"It's okay, sweetpea," he replied, radiating warmth. "I'm sending you an article about studying for finals. By the way, it includes getting a good night's sleep. How's the melatonin working for you?"

"Oh, okay. They're working... sort of okay..." She paused. She didn't really want him to worry too much. "I have to take several, though."

"How many?"

"Five or six."

"Oh... That many?

"Daddy, don't worry, okay? I looked it up; it's a safe supplement. Gotta run."

"Wait! Are you at least trying to stick to a sleep schedule? Did you read the article I sent you? Your circadian rhythm is so important. You can't live in a perpetual state of jet lag...and just because you're young doesn't make you invisible."

"Yes, Daddy, I know. I'm trying my best," Ana sighed. She really didn't want to get into how hard it was to get straight A's while juggling a part-time job and a social life. "Listen, once finals are over, I'm sleeping in for three days straight...Promise!"

That seemed to do the trick. Ray let out a very satisfying chuckle.

"Wish me luck, love you."

"Love you too, sweetheart. May the Lord guide you and help you recall what you've studied."

...

"Ana!"

Kate called from the living room, her voice ecstatic.

Ana had just stepped out of the shower, head wrapped in a turban towel.

"Look!" Kate said, holding a bouquet of white roses.

"They're from him."

Ana blinked stupidly.

"I told ya, he likes ya!" White roses. He got you white roses!"

Plucking the envelope, Ana opened it up.

-I can't stop thinking about you,

Christian-

"Here, listen," Kate announced, holding her phone like a trophy. According to Wikipedia, white roses symbolize mystery, enchantment, and love at first sight.

Ana brought the roses to her nose and sniffed.

It was then that it hit her.

Maybe, just maybe...

When something this strong

Gets a hold on you

The odds are ninety-nine to one

It's got a hold on him too.

Oh, God.

Perhaps Kate was right.