their
conversation.
“Rick, this is Anastasia Cassadine, from New York. Ana, this is Rick Montgomery, from well, all over the United States. Tell me, Rick, where is it that you reside right now?”
“Enough of your teasing, Jen. I will pick a place to settle down when the spirits tell me!” Ana heard the joking in his voice and relaxed a little. At least he had a sense of humor about his work. “Hello Anastasia, it’s nice to meet you.” He rose to shake her hand and she found she was correct about his height and his eyes.
“Hello Rick, it’s nice to meet you. Please, don’t let me interrupt, I apologize for the intrusion.” she answered politely, attempting to ignore the unexpected electricity she felt when their hands touched.
“No intrusion at all. We were just making small talk until everyone was here to start our magnificent meal. Stavros, I hear we are going to be honored to have your wonderful seafood this evening. I have been looking forward to it since Jennifer told me.” Ana was impressed at his warmth and sincerity.
She seated herself across from Rick and accepted the glass of white wine that Stavros offered. After a few minutes of polite conversation, Stavros started serving the courses of the meal, each one magnificent and succulent in itself. All three seemed at ease with each other and Ana was pleased that none of the conversations included the touchy subject of Rick’s occupation. Ana knew that she was very prejudiced in her limited knowledge of psychics and was relieved that she didn’t have to express her thoughts on the subject. The topics seemed to flow more around the grounds of the manor and decorating talents that Jennifer possessed.
After a wonderful meal, they retired to the library for drinks. Feeling uncomfortable with her portrait hanging above them over the mantle, she felt herself clam up, unsure of what direction the dialogue would go.
Rick had tried to keep his composure and conversation cool and casual but felt like everyone could see right through him. From the moment Anastasia had entered the room, his focus and his balance became distracted. He had felt her presence before he saw her, felt her aura, her femininity, her essence which was very powerful and very female and when he turned and saw her, his body had reacted immediately. She was tall, stealthy and elegant and she held herself as someone who was secure with who she was and all that was around her. Her flowing locks were pulled back, but from the strays at the sides of her face, saw that they were long and appeared soft. When she spoke, it was like the spring song of the Larkspur, soft and lilting. He had tried to focus his attention on Jennifer and Stavros’ wonderful dinner but his eyes kept steeling glances of her, as if keeping his eyes off of her would cause visual starvation. Now that they were in the library, he found a conversation piece that focused on her.
“A very beautiful portrait, if I may say so, Miss Cassadine. Austin has captured you beautifully.” Rick pointed out.
Feeling the blood rush to her head, she glanced at Jennifer, hoping that it wouldn’t spark the hostility that it had the night she arrived. Jennifer smiled at her and nodded.
“Yes, Austin captured her brilliantly. Hard to believe he did it from memory ten years ago. Ana, you don’t seem to have changed a bit, you are still so lovely.”
Ana didn’t hear any insincerity in her voice and accepted the compliment graciously. “Your husband was the one with the talent, not I. It’s him who should receive the credit, he was a brilliant painter.”
“Thank you, I thought so too.” Jennifer’s eyes misted. “So tell me what it is like in the travel industry? Jennifer has just told me a little of your occupation. Is it as wonderful as it sounds? Do you get to see the most beautiful and amazing places in the world, Miss Cassadine?” Rick gazed at her appreciatively.
“Please, call me Ana. Unfortunately no, I get to plan
conversation.
“Rick, this is Anastasia Cassadine, from New York. Ana, this is Rick Montgomery, from well, all over the United States. Tell me, Rick, where is it that you reside right now?”
“Enough of your teasing, Jen. I will pick a place to settle down when the spirits tell me!” Ana heard the joking in his voice and relaxed a little. At least he had a sense of humor about his work. “Hello Anastasia, it’s nice to meet you.” He rose to shake her hand and she found she was correct about his height and his eyes.
“Hello Rick, it’s nice to meet you. Please, don’t let me interrupt, I apologize for the intrusion.” she answered politely, attempting to ignore the unexpected electricity she felt when their hands touched.
“No intrusion at all. We were just making small talk until everyone was here to start our magnificent meal. Stavros, I hear we are going to be honored to have your wonderful seafood this evening. I have been looking forward to it since Jennifer told me.” Ana was impressed at his warmth and sincerity.
She seated herself across from Rick and accepted the glass of white wine that Stavros offered. After a few minutes of polite conversation, Stavros started serving the courses of the meal, each one magnificent and succulent in itself. All three seemed at ease with each other and Ana was pleased that none of the conversations included the touchy subject of Rick’s occupation. Ana knew that she was very prejudiced in her limited knowledge of psychics and was relieved that she didn’t have to express her thoughts on the subject. The topics seemed to flow more around the grounds of the manor and decorating talents that Jennifer possessed.
After a wonderful meal, they retired to the library for drinks. Feeling uncomfortable with her portrait hanging above them over the mantle, she felt herself clam up, unsure of what direction the dialogue would go.
Rick had tried to keep his composure and conversation cool and casual but felt like everyone could see right through him. From the moment Anastasia had entered the room, his focus and his balance became distracted. He had felt her presence before he saw her, felt her aura, her femininity, her essence which was very powerful and very female and when he turned and saw her, his body had reacted immediately. She was tall, stealthy and elegant and she held herself as someone who was secure with who she was and all that was around her. Her flowing locks were pulled back, but from the strays at the sides of her face, saw that they were long and appeared soft. When she spoke, it was like the spring song of the Larkspur, soft and lilting. He had tried to focus his attention on Jennifer and Stavros’ wonderful dinner but his eyes kept steeling glances of her, as if keeping his eyes off of her would cause visual starvation. Now that they were in the library, he found a conversation piece that focused on her.
“A very beautiful portrait, if I may say so, Miss Cassadine. Austin has captured you beautifully.” Rick pointed out.
Feeling the blood rush to her head, she glanced at Jennifer, hoping that it wouldn’t spark the hostility that it had the night she arrived. Jennifer smiled at her and nodded.
“Yes, Austin captured her brilliantly. Hard to believe he did it from memory ten years ago. Ana, you don’t seem to have changed a bit, you are still so lovely.”
Ana didn’t hear any insincerity in her voice and accepted the compliment graciously. “Your husband was the one with the talent, not I. It’s him who should receive the credit, he was a brilliant painter.”
“Thank you, I thought so too.” Jennifer’s eyes misted. “So tell me what it is like in the travel industry? Jennifer has just told me a little of your occupation. Is it as wonderful as it sounds? Do you get to see the most beautiful and amazing places in the world, Miss Cassadine?” Rick gazed at her appreciatively.
“Please, call me Ana. Unfortunately no, I get to plan
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