The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Jason and Anastasia had really hit it off lately, and Monica couldn't help but notice. Jason was the classic tall, dark, and handsome type, with a sense of justice that made you feel safe just being around him. Monica, ever the matchmaker, couldn't resist the urge to play Cupid. Anastasia, fully aware of Monica's intentions, laughed. "Don't start playing matchmaker, Mon. Jason and I are just friends."

"All couples start off as friends," Monica said with a dramatic flair, looking around at the unsold items at Anastasia's garage sale. "Ana, think about it. Look at the guy! Those muscles, that strength in his arms-he's like a walking safety net!"

"Why don't you go for him if you like him so much? I could set you two up," Anastasia teased, half-seriously considering Monica's praises. "Seriously, Mon, he's way more reliable than your exes. You're not getting any younger, and here I am, already divorced, and you're still single."

"Whoa, pump the brakes!" Monica retorted with a playful nudge. "He's not my type-too stoic, like a block of wood. Remember when he used to wear those bright red boxers? I still crack up thinking about it."

"I wouldn't know," Anastasia replied, her face a mix of amusement and embarrassment. "You'll have to ask him yourself."

Monica knew Anastasia too well to let it go. "Oh come on, I can't just ask him about his underwear!"

As they chatted, Monica glanced over the unsold items and sighed, "Tough day for sales, huh? Missing your little lucky charm?"

Monica was referring to Pattie, Anastasia's daughter, whose presence often seemed to boost sales.

"Pattie's still a kid; she can't be here every day. My mom's off today, so she took her to the amusement park. Other kids go there all the time, or they go on little trips when school's out. I feel bad I can't do the same," Anastasia said, the guilt of a working parent evident in her voice.

"Hey, let's plan a picnic for next weekend. We can take Pattie out," Monica suggested, then her curiosity piqued. "Speaking of family, I haven't seen your cousin at my shop for over a month. What's up with her?"

Anastasia's tone cooled. "I wouldn't know. We don't talk anymore."

Monica sensed the tension. "What happened? You two had a falling out?"

"Yeah," was all Anastasia offered.

"What went down? It was all good last time I checked," Monica pushed, knowing there must be more to the story.

After a hesitant pause, Anastasia admitted, "She confessed to having feelings for Herman."

Monica let out a curse, shocked. "That's just low. Are all the men in the world extinct? How could she set her sights on Herman? You don't mess with your cousin's ex-what was she thinking?" Anastasia had been unable to accept that her cousin Gianna could be interested in Herman. If it were just simple affection, she might have understood. But Gianna had crossed a line.

"She got close to me with an agenda. Now, I can't tell which of her words were ever sincere-if any-or if it was all just to get to Herman."noveldrama

What was unforgivable, though, was Gianna's dangerous intentions towards her.

"Let's not dredge up the past. I'd rather not talk about her," Anastasia said, eager to change the subject.

"Some people just aren't worth your time. It's like inviting a thief into your home," Monica said dismissively.

Anastasia wanted to leave Gianna in the past, but fate had other plans. As they sat there, Gianna suddenly appeared before Anastasia's stall.

"Anastasia, I need to talk to you," Gianna pleaded, her voice betraying the inner turmoil she had been wrestling with.

"Have some shame. You've got some nerve showing up here," Monica snapped defensively.

Gianna's eyes were fixed on Anastasia. "Can we talk somewhere else?"

The coldness in Anastasia's gaze was palpable. Just looking at Gianna reminded her of the betrayal, of the moment Gianna had deliberately delayed helping her when she needed it most. "Gianna," Anastasia's voice was laced with barely contained fury, "just leave. Don't make me slap you right here in front of everyone."