bag with her to catch the next double-decker. Anya didn’t want to return to retrieve it after her car-buying spree.
She knew exactly what kind of car she wanted. Anya had thought about it for a while, but hadn’t bought it because she had deemed the expenditure frivolous. Now, though, she didn’t care. After almost dying in the present, and actually dying in the past, she made the decision to live her life to the fullest. Anya still wasn’t certain her dream had been real but she could still feel the pain from being shot. That was real enough for her to make different decsions for her life. When the double-decker arrived, she stepped on with purpose. Nothing would distract her from her goal.
As the bus moved through the London streets, it gave Anya time to think about what she’d ask Lady Vivian when she found her in Dover. Asking her outright about her time with Anastasia Wegner might raise questions she didn’t really want to answer. She wasn’t certain how to explain why it mattered to her. Lady Vivian would believe her mad if she told her the truth. It was best to keep that part of her coma experience to herself. Dealing with the aftermath already made her a nervous wreck. Any sudden movements or loud sounds and she nearly jumped out of her skin. It would take her a long while not to react that way. Sometimes it seemed as if she’d truly been shot and killed. That was not something she’d reconcile herself with any time soon, if ever.
The bus came to a stop and jolted her out of her own mind. She glanced out the window and sighed. Time to go shopping. She stood and made her way off the double-decker and stepped on to the sidewalk. It was a few blocks to the dealership. She hoped it wouldn’t be too difficult to buy a car for immediate use. If she had to, she’d throw her father’s name around. Telling people she was the daughter of the Earl of Parkdale opened many doors. She didn’t do it often, only in extreme emergencies. Which she deemed this to be…
It was exhausting to do almost anything after her stint in the hospital. If her parents were aware of her excursion, they’d likely try to stop her. She couldn’t allow that to happen. When she walked into the building, no one immediately came to her aid. That disappointed her. They probably didn’t think helping her would result in an instantaneous sale.
“Hello,” she called out. “Is anyone available to help me make a purchase?”
An older gentleman turned toward her and lifted a brow. He seemed to mock her with that gesture. Anya pursed her lips in displeasure and tapped her foot anxiously. Two could play that game… She’d be more than happy to be snootier than him. He brushed his fingers over the side of his silver-tipped dark hair and sighed. Of course, he gave in first and approached her. “How may I assist you?”
“I’d like to by an Aston Martin convertible. Bright red if its available, but I’m open to whatever you have on hand for me to drive away with today.”
“An Aston Martin?” The astonishment in his tone echoed around her. As if, how dare you try to buy something inappropriate for you little girl…
“Yes,” she said and lifted her chin defiantly. “What do you have available?”
“Are you certain that is the car you wish to own?” He stared down at her as if trying to will her to make a different decision. “It’s…not a car for a woman.”
She’d had enough of male chauvinism to last a lifetime. Not to mention Ana’s controlling father and fiancé from her messed up dream reality. No man was going to dictate to her ever again, both real and imagined. “Who are you to tell me what I can or cannot buy?” She glared at him. “I want an Aston Martin, and I shall have one.” Anya reverted to the spoiled child she’d been before learning humility. “Perhaps you’d rather deal with my father, Lord Parkdale.”
“That won’t be necessary,” he said quickly. He waved his hand frantically and he seemed a little anxious after she dropped her father’s name. Good. “I only have one Aston Martin, but I can show it to you if you’d like. I’m afraid it isn’t red…”
Anya waved her hand dismissively. She really did not care about the color. She’d thought it sounded better to demand something. “That’s