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            And he wasn’t alone, the girls saw as they joined Josh at the front door. Another person was with him: tall, dark-eyed, wavy-haired – Brennan. He looks even more serious than he did in my dream, Anna thought sizing him up. He was wearing dark pants and a button-down shirt. Normal-looking she supposed.

            Josh was surprised to see Anna but didn’t for a second forget his manners. “Anna, this is my friend visiting from London, Brennan Watson. Brennan, this is my wife’s best friend, Anna Schutt.”

            Shyly Anna smiled and shook the man’s hand. A small smile flicked over his face but then it was gone; he had a firm handshake but he seemed all business.

            “Nice to meet you, Anna.” His voice was deep but not booming; his British accent was lovely. It almost seemed that his eyes sparkled when he said her name but Anna wasn’t going to assume anything.

            “Yes… um, you too.” She hoped she didn’t look stupid, standing there smiling. But even if she did the men took no notice.

            “How was work?” Emily asked, kissing her husband and smiling a hello at Brennan.

            Josh hugged Anna before answering his wife. “Great; not too busy but busy enough not to call you as many times as usual…” his eyes sparkled mischievously but got serious when he saw that Emily wasn’t smiling back. “Em?”

            Before Emily could answer Anna broke in. “We were just talking and she has something to tell you, now I have to leave. Thank you, Em, for out… talk.” Anna leaned in to hug her friend and then threateningly whispered, “If you don’t tell him I will; I’ll be back tomorrow.”

            The brunette’s eyes went wide but quickly resumed size when she saw Josh looking at her. His soft brown eyes were full of caring love, but Emily couldn’t tell him. Not yet.

            Anna waved to Josh and nodded at Brennan. But just as she reached the door Brennan was suddenly there opening it for her. Mumbling “thank you” she stumbled out the door.

                                                            *          *          *

            It had been around ten o’ clock that morning when Anna had arrived at the Johnson’s and now it was almost noon. By the time she got back home it’d be one o’ clock; her stomach growled at that thought. And the thought of not drinking the can of Sprite Emily gave her; she’d left it on the counter when they went to meet Josh.

            Oh, well. She’d just have to bear the… 45 minute walk. Great. Anna rolled her green eyes and rubbed her stomach. It growled even louder. She tried to pick up her pace to a run but only ended up with a cramp. Ugh! Could things get any worse?

            For once, in the history of thinking that, things didn’t get worse. She reached Woodland Place after what seemed like days and, shutting the door behind her, nearly yelled, “What’s for lunch?”

            “Whatever you fix,” came the reply from the living room. Walking in that direction Anna saw her mom sitting on the couch, feet propped up on a footstool, reading glasses perched on her nose and a book in her hand.

            Mrs. Schutt looked up from her book and smiled.

            Anna forced a cheesy smile but then spun around and nearly ran to the kitchen. Would her stomach ever stop growling? Browsing through the cupboards, shelves, and refrigerator she finally found what she was looking for: macaroni noodles. They didn’t take long to cook – and they were yummy. 

            As she stirred the soon-to-boil water Anna’s thoughts drifted to Emily. Had she told Josh? Was he worrying and hovering around her right now? The blonde promised herself she’d call her best friend after work the following day.

            Then her mind pondered on Brennan. Josh seemed dwarfed when he stood next to Brennan; and I was only a few inches shorter than Josh. Brennan’s dark eyes had looked to serious; all business and not fun-loving at all. Though when they shook hands his mouth turned upwards a bit and his eyes sparkled, but that look was gone seconds later.

            Why was he so serious? Surely hanging around audacious Josh would loosen him up a bit… or should it? Oh, no. This is not going to be fun at all if Emily gets any ideas, Anna thought – just as the water started over boiling.