The Allure of Love

Chapter 2

Over the next few weeks, Anastasia found herself in an unexpected quandary. Jack had worked his way back into her life in a big way, sweeping her off her feet with his charisma and grand romantic gestures.

"Another glass of the finest Cabernet for the lady?" Jack signaled the waiter with a roguish grin. They were lingering over an incredible meal at one of the city's trendiest new restaurants, the kind of place with a months-long waitlist that Anastasia could never seem to get into.

She giggled slightly, feeling a bit giddy already from the sumptuous wine they had already imbibed over the candlelit dinner. "You're ridiculous, you know that?" she teased.

Jack leaned across the table, the faint traces of his cologne enveloping Anastasia. "I've really missed you, Annie," he murmured, using her nickname as his thumb caressed her hand. "These last few years without you have been..." He paused, locking eyes with her. "Well, let's just say they haven't been the same."

Anastasia felt her pulse quicken at his words and touch. Part of her was very tempted by Jack's intense attention and lavish affection. She had always loved his spontaneous, live-in-the-moment attitude and ability to keep her laughing. Their whirlwind fling back in college may have burned bright but fast, but the spark was clearly still there.

At the same time, she couldn't seem to get Chris out of her mind these days, no matter how hard she tried. The image of his warm smile and sincere brown eyes were ingrained in her memory. She didn't want to betray the possible relationship with him that they had left unspoken for so many years.

To make matters even more complicated, Chris had finally mustered up the courage to ask Anastasia out for drinks one night after work. They had grabbed a casual drink at their old college hangout, swapping stories about classes from the old days and laughing over shared memories.

"To be honest, Annie," Chris said with an endearing half-smile. "I've actually had a crush on you since pretty much the first time we met in that Anthropology lecture. I just never could tell if you felt the same way about me."

Anastasia's heart fluttered hearing those words she had fantasized about for ages. Without thinking, she leaned in and kissed Chris tenderly on the lips.

Chris cupped her face in his strong hands and deepened the kiss with a growing passion, causing Anastasia to feel dizzy and weak in the knees. When they finally came up for air, he brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. "So...does this mean you'll go out with me? For real this time?"

"Absolutely," Anastasia replied with a beaming smile, still unable to believe this was really happening after all her years pining for Chris.

She should have been walking on air, finally being in the arms of the man she had dreamed about forever. But lingering thoughts of Jack made Anastasia feel slightly uneasy and guilty. What was she going to do? Both good men clearly wanted to pursue her. How could she possibly choose between the two?

The quandary would only grow more complicated in the weeks and months to come, as Anastasia's feelings for both Chris and Jack deepened. Her guilt and indecision would bubble over, forcing Anastasia to finally make a choice once and for all between the two men...