Love's Call by Jala Summers Page A

 It’s really getting ridiculous.  How long are you going to let Brian have power over your life?”
     
    Liana flinched when Alyssa mentioned his name. Alyssa continued on, “Brian was a fool, and yeah, he tricked you, he played you, whatever you want to call it.  But are you going to let that man control your life from here on out, steal your joy and steal your chance at happiness?  I mean, you don’t even have fun like you used to.  Brian’s been out of the picture for almost a year now.  You can’t keep this up.”
     
    Liana, usually quick witted and ready with a comeback, was left speechless. This was the first time Alyssa had confronted her about the way she was behaving and she didn’t like it.  She didn’t like what her friend said, but realized that Alyssa was completely right. She had been letting her past negative experience with Brian control her actions and interactions with men.  She was hyper-vigilant and always on the lookout for more game, in an attempt to avoid a repeat of her past relationship.
     
    And as Liana sat quietly, contemplating Alyssa’s words on the bed, she knew that it wasn’t just Brian who was keeping her from trusting, or just enjoying her life.
     
    She was only affected so much by what had happened with Brian because she’d thought she’d been as careful as humanly possible before she’d begun a relationship with him.
     
    Liana was so cautious in all relationships because she’d witnessed, first-hand, the effect of her own father’s cheating on her mother. She’d never been naive about marriage or happily-ever-after endings, and felt that most people’s ideas of romance and love were a lie.  
     
    But even with her analysis and being careful, she’d been taken in and seduced by Brian, and all of his lies.
     
    “Lia?”
     
    Liana had been quiet for a while, and Alyssa watched her staring blankly ahead into space, wrapped up in her thoughts.
     
    “Yeah.”
     
    “You okay, Lia?”
     
    Liana nodded, fighting back tears as she allowed herself to feel the sting of the hurt from her past. “I’m fine.”
     
    “I didn’t mean to be such a hard ass, but, I just don’t want you to keep doing this to yourself.”
     
    “I know,” Liana said quietly.
     
    Alyssa rose and sat next to Liana on her bed.  She wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “You good?”
     
    “Yeah, I am.”
     
    “You coming?”
     
    Liana nodded.  “Yeah. Yeah, I’ll come.”
     
    ***
     
    Liana watched Alyssa on the dance floor with another tall, handsome man as they moved in step with the rhythm of the old school song that blared through the speakers.
     
    Alyssa had promised, again, to try to get out and meet new people, if Liana promised to try to be more open at the dance that night.  Lloyd hadn’t been there when they’d arrived and   Alyssa had gladly accepted the offer to dance, from the new handsome stranger.
     
    Liana bobbed her head to the music, enjoying the song, when she heard the chair beside her move back.  She looked over to see a stocky, mildly attractive man take a seat next to her.  She forced a smile.   I’m trying , she thought, as she attempted to at least look friendly.
     
    “How are you tonight, Ms.Lady? May I ask your name?”
     
    “It’s Liana.”
     
    “Liana. A pretty name for an even prettier lady. I’m James.”
     
    Liana groaned inwardly. Where the hell did he get that one from?  She knew it was going to be hard to be nice and friendly if men kept coming up to her with these lame pick-up lines.
     
    “You know I’ve been watching you, and wanting to come over to talk to you since the first day of the cruise.”
     
    Stalker alert , maybe? Liana turned her head back to watch the dancers on the floor.
     
    “I want to buy you a drink.”
     
    “Sorry, I don’t drink,” she said. She lifted the half-full glass of water she had in front of her on the table, and showed him. “I’m good.”
     
    “You don’t drink, why is