Needing something new. {open}

[<Ryan Wesley>]

Ryan pulled up in his blue 98 dodge ram. He stepped out of his somewhat tall truck and closed the door behind him. He put his wallet in his back pocket and locked his truck with his keys. He started to walk to the tack shop door. Why yes, the reason why was kinda a funny story. To most people anyway it would, or maybe not. He just had a funny way of thinking. He stepped in and nodded to the man by the door that greeted him. He walked over and around to the bridles.

So this morning, he had got out a solid black stud colt... he was thinking it was part mustang but it had been out with a herd practically all his life.. well with other stud colts fighting to be the dominant one. So this horse thought he was dominant to everyone. Ryan had saddled the colt and put a bridle on working him in the round pen. He had tied his head to the left and let him give his head going in circles for a while. Then he did the left and the horse was doing just fine then all of a sudden he jumped and tripped and fell on his side. He fought it for a while then finally he jerked his head to the left and the rein broke then the horse shot up and bucked wildly around the pen. Then the horse got smart and stuck his head down and pawed at his face and had tore teh bridle off his face and chewed on it and stomped on it. When Ryan had finally came back to see his bridle was nothing.. he laughed and did some more ground work with the colt for today.

So that's the reason why he was in here.. because his colt was being dominant and was gonna show Ryan just who was boss in a weird way. Ryan looking through the bridles, wanting the best kind, one durable, and wont break that easily.. because this horse would try something again someday. It just seemed to be that kind of horse. He smiled looking at prices trying to decide what he could afford as well.

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[Anastasia Hart]

<sup><sub>Ana was glad to finally arrive at her new home, West Virginia. The 9 hour drive and moving of all of her belongings had tired her out. Not only that, but when she attempted to take her stallion, Irish out for a quick first ride when they arrived, the high strung animal managed to twist and then break his bridle, and he also damaged his halter sometime during the drive down. Which is what put Ana here, at the tack shop. As much as she could lead Irish around with just a rope around his neck and ride without a bridle, she would really rather not test it. So, after unpacking most of her things, she dropped her young son off at a family friend's house and drove her Jeep here for a seemingly short and easy visit.

The parking lot had somewhere around 10 cars parked around, and Ana was instantly glad she had come, meeting a few new people in her new home wouldn't hurt, in fact, at the moment, she didn't desire anything else but to see and greet a few new faces. So, as she stepped in the door, wearing her usual blue jeans and a t-shirt, along with her riding boots, she was beaming and very happily greeted the clerk as he said hello. She made her way to the halters first and picked out a simple leather halter, much like the one Irish had broken and made sure to get the right size. Ana browsed around a little more, taking a look at a few saddles and saddle pads before finding her way over to the bridles. There was only one other person in the area, but Ana didn't mind, she was sure she would find what she wanted quickly and be out of his way in no time.

But, Ana found herself getting quite lost in the sea of bridles. She was suddenly wondering if maybe Irish's hadn't fit him correctly, or maybe he needed one without a bit. Or perhaps trying a Western bridle instead of an English one would help. She really hadn't thought about any of this until now, which was quite odd for her, since she usually would. She was now really convinced that maybe her horses' high strung behavior was due to his bridle, or that with a different one she could gain more control. She was going to make her way over to the clerk to ask, but the man standing beside her seemed to be rather interested in the bridles, maybe he would know. So, Ana turned to him, still smiling and did her best to not completely interrupt him. "Excuse me." She said to him, sweetly. "I was wondering if you could maybe give me your opinion..." She trailed off, and then added, "On a bridle, for my stallion." Without waiting for a response, she continued. "See, he's pretty high strung and hard to control at times, and I'm not sure if it may be because of his bridle. Or that maybe I could gain more control with a certain one," She explained, "I feel like I have tried everything else; different bits, girths, saddles, but I never really considered his bridle an issue." She took a breath before finishing quickly with, "Oh and if you have no idea or I am being completely crazy, feel free to tell em to shut up." She gave a slightly laugh at the end, and continued to smile, truly interested and hopeful in this man's response.</sub></sup>

[<Ryan Wesley>]

"See, he's pretty high strung and hard to control at times, and I'm not sure if it may be because of his bridle. Or that maybe I could gain more control with a certain one, I feel like I have tried everything else; different bits, girths, saddles, but I never really considered his bridle an issue." This young lady had said to him after politely saying excuse me. He smiled and listened to her words and thought a moment. He wasn't quite sure what a bridle did for difference. Maybe a heavy one with a nose band to add pressure to his nose to slop him.

He looked to her in deep thought pulling up his baggy pants that were hanging a bit low. "To tell you the truth, I do not know. But something really heavy with a noseband to pull his nose back to slow him might help. But that's all I can tell you." He said. He had ignored her last comment about shutting up. He really didn't mind. He wasn't antisocial, he loved people. And He loved women just a little to much. He was a typical male that wanted sex..but as he was getting older he was getting just a tad bit sick of it and wanting to kinda settle down.. but it would take a patient woman to get him to quit all his bad habits of smoking, drinking, and chewing.

He looked at the bridles and picked up a heavy one for her, similiar to the one he had chosen for his horse. Then a noseband to match and smiled. "Try that and see if it helps. If not, I would try to use a more severe bit like this one or this one." He pointed out some with a chain mouthpiece, one with a tall curb but heavy and thick, one a reiner would use, and one that was curbed, with short shanks. "Hope that helps you out just a bit." He told her and looked around then to her again and smiled. "Wanna go out to lunch?" he asked her.

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[Anastasia Hart]

<sup><sub>Ana continued to smile as she listened to this person's advice, "To tell you the truth, I do not know. But something really heavy with a noseband to pull his nose back to slow him might help. But that's all I can tell you." He said, to which Ana nodded, completely agreeing with him. Occasionally, she would completely blank out, and while looking at bridles she was sure that's exactly what had happened. Why wouldn't she have thought of that? She had been around horses and riding her entire life, a strong noseband wasn't exactly rocket science in the horse world. Either way, she was grateful for the second opinion. Though, she allowed this man to continue speaking before interrupting to say she agreed or to thank him, she simply continued to smile and nod her head, to be sure he knew that she was still listening and engaged.

Ana didn't even realize for a moment that he had been trying to hand her a bridle, she was too busy looking him over, in a way. Ana had always loved to watch people from afar, completely strangers and analyze them. Think of their possible jobs or lives or sometimes even just look at their appearance. This young man, who couldn't be any more than 2 years older than her, if even that, was without a doubt, an attractive guy. He had sandy blonde hair and deep, dark eyes and quite a cute smile. But Ana was having a hard time really reading his expression, and wasn't sure what to make of him past his good looks. Of course he was interested in horses, so that was good, but who even knew what style he rode or how often, of even if he rode at all; maybe he just worked at a stable, Ana had no idea. But she found herself wondering and really wanting to find out.

She finally took the bridle from his hands and litened as he said, "Try that and see if it helps. If not, I would try to use a more severe bit like this one or this one." She nodded once more, still beaming her bright teeth, and was a little sad that after he said, "Hope that helps you out just a bit. He slightly turned away. She was getting ready to continue the conversation in some way, really any way, but he beat her to the punch. "Wanna go out to lunch?" He then said, and without any hesitation at all, Ana nodded quickly and said, "I would love to!" She did her best not to seem to excited, but she couldn't remember the last time she had been on a date, or even in more depth the last time she had been on a date with somebody who wasn't a complete jerk. She was about to ask where they should go, or even just for his number or something along those lines, but she realized something more important should be exchanged first. "My name is Ana, by the way." She said simply and waited for his response.</sub></sup>

[<Ryan Wesley>]

Now Ryan was a very good looking man. He really didn't smell like any kind of man, just like his horses. But he did clean up well. Today just wasn't one of those days he wanted to clean up nicely just because he was working with horses all morning. While he was talking to her he had noticed she was looking him over. He just smiled, letting her do so. He wasn't scared of her and surely he hadn't looked at her a few times. He had so now was his time. His eyes searched her up and down. She wasn't like one of those drop dead gorgeous girls but she was beautiful. Seemed to be nice and friendly, probually not the girl he would get right into bed with. She was the kind he would get to know first because she seemed like she had a bad past maybe, bad relationships...so it would just be better if he didn't make her life more complicated...especially when he had almost got a girl pregnant since being here. Not a good idea to try that again right off the bat.

Now, yes he did love kids. But surely he was not ready for them just yet. Change was a gradual thing but certainly he would try his hardest to change that faster if his life depended on it. As he spoke he started to like her. She was a horse girl.. if she wasn't she wouldn't be in here. She said she would love to go to lunch with him. After that his mind thought of where he might take her.. probually just the diner. "My name is Ana, by the way." She spoke to him. He smiled brightly "Mine is Ryan." He said and paid for his bridle. He waited for her.

"I will just take you to the diner across the road." He told her and ran his fingers through his hair. Wow, he felt so wierd asking this girl out. The last few girls he had been around was a one night stand kinda thing.. sex and leave... actually that's the only thing he had done since he had lived here...with drinking and smoking at rodeos.. and getting laid in random towns.. but that could easily change if he had someone to show him what real love was.. one to prove to him that settling down was worth it. After she had paid, he held the door open for her, planning on walking across the road with her to the diner, after of course putting their stuff in their vehicles. Once out the door, he walked to his truck and opened the door. He peeked over to see where her car was and what she drove. He stuck his bridle in the back and shut his door and locked it. He walked over to her smiling..it was taking everythign in him not to just grab her and kiss her. That was just habit to him, but this time was going to be different. It was like he could smell the bad relationships and past on her from standing next her. So he was gonna be more like a friend to her..and not use her. She deserved better then that. And he was gonna show her he was someone to trust.

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[Anastasia Hart]

<sup><sub>Ana found herself feeling really excited about this... date, if you could call it that. Which she could, and would. I mean he did ask her out for lunch, right? Yes. There were just so many reasons to smile and look forward to hanging out with this guy, who at that very moment came to find his name was, "Mine is Ryan.", Ryan. It suited him, she decided. And continued to think about how nice it was not only to know at least one person in her new home, but to be going on a date, even a quick, casual one, with a seemingly nice guy in a very long time. Ana found her imagination getting ahead of her as she pictured them sitting and eating, almost like a movie. But it was just a date, just a first, easy-going date; though she knew she would have to keep continuously reminding herself that.

"I will just take you to the diner across the road." He then said, as he paid, and Ana just nodded in agreement, deciding to not say something unnecessary like 'yeah,' a nod was enough. Although she wouldn't lie, she really like how he said he would take her there. Ana had really forgotten what it was like to go out with somebody, she hadn't realized how long it had actually been. But she shook the thoughts from her head as she paid for her horse's new bridle right after Ryan and followed him out. He headed over to his car, a slightly dated version of a Dodge Ram truck; Ana was extremely jealous. She had always wanted a truck and even told her father that years before she turned 16, but as usual, her father did things his way and thought a new, but now two years old, black Jeep Grand Cherokee fitted her better. As much as Ana wanted to tell him he was wrong, she was grateful for any car at all and had grown to love her Jeep. As she headed over and tossed the bridle in the back seat she made a quick call to her family friend that she would be a little longer, but would still be picking up Tristan later. She hung up before meeting back up with Ryan.

She smiled silently at him as they walked over to the diner, the street wasn't by any means busy, so they had no trouble getting across. Ana barely said anything until they were seated in a booth at the diner. She was almost tempted to ask him questions that were probably too personal, or to let him know that she a very young son. But Ana wasn't sure either were good ideas for a first date. So, instead, she just scanned over her menu and asked casually, "So, have you ever been here before?" And after a short pause, cotinued with "Or do you have any suggestions?" She looked up when she spoke, but other than that continued to look at the menu. Ana was suddenly finding herself a little nervous. What could they talk about? Were there certain things that were to prodding and she shouldn't ask? Would they hug or kiss goodbye? Would she even ever see him again? As usual, Ana was really just over-thinking the situation, but she realy couldn't help it. So, in an attempt to rid her mind of those thoughts, she decided to ask a simple, not-to-personal (as far as she thought) question. "Um..." She found herself saying before quickly getting past it and asking, "Have you lived here long?"</sub></sup>

[<Ryan Wesley>]

Ryan wasn't the kind to not tell anything about him. You ask him he would tell you. He wasn't scared to tell people about his past, about his relationships, what he did for a living.. anything. Now he was in a different situation with her. She seemed to like to keep things secret til she trusted someone. Alot of girls were. So he would just let her go at her own pace. "So, have you ever been here before? Or do you have any suggestions?" She asked him. He smiled and shrugged. "I have but everything I have gotten here was good. But I'm a chicken fried steak fan when I come here." He said and smiled looking through the menu too, just to see what else sounded good.

Have you lived here long?" She asked him. He looked at her and thought, counting with his fingers as he stuck one out as he counted. He held up five fingers. "Five months. Not very long. Usually weekends I'm gone for rodeos. And sometimes I'm gone for long periods of time off to long distance rodeos." he told her and smiled. Most girls would hate that and get all worried he would cheat on them or he would do something stupid. But he wouldn't if he actually had a girlfriend...just like when he was engaged once. The girl had gotten all scared because he had one beer and she dumped him thinking he had gotten laid. That's just why he hadn't had a relationship like that for a long time. It was just nicer to him to have one night stands unless the girl is willing to keep up with his pain of a a.ss.

He looked into her eyes after putting the menu down. He looked over to the waitress and told her he wanted a chicken fried steak with pepsi. He said thanks politely to her. He did respect girls. He only had sex with girls that were willing. He never forced it on someone.. never. He always used kind words to them.. unless he was in a angry mood which was only like once a month. He looked back to Ana after she ordered. "I can see in your eyes you have things you want to tell me.. just not sure what." He told her and smiled. "You can tell me anything, I don't judge people. You can trust in me." He said.

Now by looking at her he could almost see she has had a relationship ... sexual at that. There was kinda pain in her eyes from whatever had happened with it.. but maybe some happiness that came along with the heartache. Now with that said, he guessed she had a kid.. or did and gave it up for adoption or something. Oh well, he was guessing. He just may be wrong. Now Ryan had got a girl pregnant just right out of high school...but she had miscarried so he hadn't had to worry about having a kid. He did give that girl some money for doctor bills. He is actually still pretty good friends with the girl.

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[Anastasia Hart]

<sup><sub>As Ana sat across from Ryan she tried to seem like she was there and listening to him as he suggested something to eat, and answered her question as to how long he had lived here, but the truth was, her mind was somewhere else. She was thinking of Tristan, and if he missed his Mommy; she rarely left him, but when she did these feelings over came her eventually. As she was thinking that, she was also wondering whether or not to be up front with Ryan or not as to have a young child. On one hand, she barely knew him and who knew if they would ever talk after this meal, but on the other hand, what if it did turn into something, even a friendship, and Ryan found out that Ana had never informed him on a huge part of her life. Her head was slightly spinning as she thought about these things, and she was grateful when the waitress came along.

Ana had completely forgotten what Ryan had suggested, and decided to be boring and simply order a burger with fries and a soda. It didn't take long for Ryan to say something that not only caught Ana slightly off guard, but also caused her to be grateful he said it, it made her decision much easier. "I can see in your eyes you have things you want to tell me.. just not sure what." He said, and Ana knew she must have blushed. Ana always tried to be so secretive and mysterious, but as hard as she tried, she was as easy to read as an open book. Her mother used to tell her that all the time, and would always point out how she thought Ana was feeling, and was always right- every single time. Ana could be angry, but feeling as though she was hiding it with a smile, and laughter. But, it wouldn't take her mother too long to interrupt and say something along the lines of, "Hey, what are you so mad about?" As much as it cracked Ana up, it was extremely annoying.

Before Ana had more time to think about it, and blush, Ryan continued by saying, "You can tell me anything, I don't judge people. You can trust in me." At that point, she really wasn't sure how to feel. Should she trust a person she had just met? Or was it even worth telling him? She wasn't really sure, but she started to speak anyway, deciding to wing it as she went, "Wow, you're good!" She said happily and with a smile, refurring to him reading her face so easily, "But, yeah... I guess if you've caught me in the act, I might as well just tell you..." She took a deep breathe and before she was even sure of what she has saying she said, "I have a son." She tried to smile, but instead, just went off on a rant of information, "His name is Tristan, he's a little over a year old now. I had him with an ex of mine, but he didn't exactly want to be in the picture. That's his loss though, Tristan is such a perfect little boy, I wouldn't give him up for the world. Maybe you can meet him sometime." She took a deep breathe when she was finished, not really sure of how she felt about having told Ryan all of this. Hopefully, in the end, she will have made the right choice about telling him.</sub></sup>

[<Ryan Wesley>]

Ryan had pretty much read Ana's mind. He had a way with that... especially girls. To him they were easy to read. He just kind of waited for her to tell him..so he had told her she could tell him anything, which was true. He was someone people liked to tell things to.. vent on. Especially girls. He was understanding and nice. He always tried to make the girls feel more loved then they felt after breaking up with a guy. Hell, he still had ex's that texted him for advice and just to vent on. He was just nice like that.

He had kinda ignored her first few sentences as she tried to think of what to tell him. He waited patiently to find out what she might say. He smiled and finally it came out. "His name is Tristan, he's a little over a year old now. I had him with an ex of mine, but he didn't exactly want to be in the picture. That's his loss though, Tristan is such a perfect little boy, I wouldn't give him up for the world. Maybe you can meet him sometime." She was a bit nervous but he smiled to her.. brightly. First really bright smile on his face in quite a while. "Really? I love kids. I have always wanted one.. just never found the right girl to settle down with." He told her. Wow..a boy even? He had always wanted a boy.

His mind started racing. If he married her he would be a father.. and have a great wife. Then he thought of things he would do with Tristan; like teachim how to ride, play sports, and what guys do best. He got excited almost then he came back to reality. He had to like the mother first.. and if he didn't like her, he would still be friends with her. "Well, I'm sorry to hear the father left you. He must of been stupid because your a beautiful yougn lady." He commented and smiled. The waiter brought there drinks and he sipped at his pop. He looked to her.

"Well, I'm not a perfect man either. I got a girl pregnant right out of high school. I was nervous but excited at teh same time. I wanted kids, and still do. But sadly she miscarried. I was upset.. and she kinda was to. But then she went off to college and now is married. So really I guess we weren' t meant to be. I did give her money for hospital bills and paid her some more just 'cause I felt bad when she moved. I still talk to her every now and then you know.. but she was probually my first love. Wanted to marry her, never got the guts to ask her tho..That was one regret in my life." He told her truthfully.

He didn't feel like he would regret telling her some personal stuff. Sometimes knowing personal stuff was good first off so you knew why they acted the way they did... You know? Ya so he was social, he was open. He wasn't gonna not tell her about these things he had done and wished he would have done. It's life, everyone has the same things happen, but different situations.

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[Anastasia Hart]

<sup><sub>Ana really surprised herself by telling Ryan what she had, then again, he seemed different. He really seemed to care and understand; something her ex had seemed to lack. Even once she finished confessing her so-called secret to Ryan, she was still a bit nervous, she didn't usually open up to people so quickly, although the fact that he asked helped. "Really? I love kids. I have always wanted one.. just never found the right girl to settle down with." He then said, which helped calm her nerves a little bit, he really seemed very genuine and sincere in his words. As he went on to say, "Well, I'm sorry to hear the father left you. He must of been stupid because your a beautiful young lady," Ana knew she probably blushed as she managed to say a quiet, "Thank you," with an added shy, but sweet smile.

Ana took a sip of her drink before looking back up at Ryan. It seemed he had his own story to tell, and just like anybody, Ana was always willing to listen. Maybe not the best person to go to for advice, but she was always willing to sit and listen when somebody just needed a person to tell something to. And after Ryan finished telling Ana about his past, and how he had almost had a child as well, she was actually a little shocked. Ana wasn't one to judge, though, and she definitely appreciated and respected the fact that Ryan had wanted to marry the woman who may have had his child, and helped pay her doctor bills, it was more than Nick had ever done, or would do, for that matter. Still, somewhere in Ana's subconscious she was thinking that maybe Ryan had a deeper back story, was he one to sleep around maybe? Or maybe this girl was just a one time thing? But again, Ana didn't like to judge or anything along those lines before she knew what was going on. So, she pushed the thoughts from her head and sat comfortably in her seat, mostly letting her thoughts wander.

She was thinking of her son, as he was almost always on Ana's mind, but she was also thinking now of her ex, Nick, who she seemed to be thinking a lot about lately. She had just been running into so many people and getting on the conversation of commitment, and her child and Ana just wished Nick could have been that kind of person. The kind who instead of walking away at the knowledge of Ana's pregnancy, would at least stick around to see his son be born, or try to be supportive, even the smallest bit. But he wasn't of course. Ana just couldn't believe that after a 2 year, strong relationship, that he could walk away so very easily. That was a main reason why Ana wasn't looking for anything at all serious at the moment. Friends? Yes of course and possibly a relationship sometime, but nothing fast and definitely nothing very soon. She just couldn't imagine another heart break like the one she had, or another man walking away from her and her son. The thought was unbearable. She didn't know when she would be ready either, it had been a couple of years since her and Nick broke up, and she still wasn't sure what she wanted in life, or when she wanted it.

For now, Ana was perfectly content for living life as it was thrown at her. Live each day one at a time and see how that worked out. So far, so good. Just then, the food arrived. Ana smiled and thanked their server and took a bite of a french fry. She then looked back to Ryan. "Thanks for trusting me, by the way." She said honestly, "I know it's difficult." She then said, her voice and eyes still honest. "But I really would like you to meet Tristan. He really loves meeting new people, it's like a treat to him." Ana explained, laughing at the thought. "I bet he would love you." She said finally, really meaning it. Ana then proceeded to take a few bites of her food, not realizing how hungry she was until now. She allowed her mind to wander again, thinking of how nice it would be for Tristan to really meet Ryan, but at the same time wondering if Tristan was ready for that. Or more honestly, wondering if she was ready for that.</sub></sup>

[<Ryan Wesley>]

"Thanks for trusting me, by the way, I know it's difficult." She told him after they got their food. He smiled to her and nodded, his mouth full of fries. He swallowed then said. "You are very welcome." He said cutting up his chicken friend steak in pieces. "But I really would like you to meet Tristan. He really loves meeting new people, it's like a treat to him." She told him. Kids were fun, Ryan loved kids. He seemed to be natural with them. He never really got mad at them, but then again he was a very patient guy. "I bet he would love you." She said. Ryan smiled and asked her. "When can I meet him?" He asked her then began to eat.

Now, ya he was kind of the sleep around kinda guy. Well he use to. He hasn't gone to bed with a girl in four months now. Most of them he had talked to and went on with what he was doing. He really wanted to change that part of him. It was hard though. It was a bad habit. It was like a drug. Like right now, Ana was getting to him because she was so nice he wanted to take her to his bed. But he refused. He wouldn't, not Ana. He was determined to change his life around. He had to quit one thing at a time. First sleeping around, then smoking, then drinking. He had a long life of quitting ahead of him.

After a little bit, he was almost finished with his food. He could tell she was wondering, she was easy to read. Ryan was kinda readable but to most girls he had known he wasn't. But after he told her about almost being a father, she seemed almost uncomforable, or worried. He couldn't describe it. "Ummm.. to tell you the truth, I did sleep around alot. All through high school, til about four months ago. Last three girls I slept with was.....my first couple weeks here. I haven't since then. This one girl in town, I'm not saying names, made me want to settle down for the fact that she didn't want to when she got pregnant. But no, it wasn't my kid. I told her I would settle down with her so I could be the father that the dad wouldn't be, but she went with him anyway. So ya, I'm ready to settle down. I want to really bad. " He confessed and ate the rest of his food. That was just a bit hard to tell her. Because now, he had a feeling she would hate him or not want to be with him ever.

He liked her, she was pretty. He could see them getting married. But he wasn't gonna get his hopes up. He smiled to her after he finished. Then sat back. While waiting for his receipt he decided to get this over with too. "I also have a bad habit of drinking and smoking. I'm trying hard to quit that too, but it will take longer. " He told her truthfully. Ok, he had no secrets to hide..well the big ones were told. The ones that would drive him nuts were told. Nothing really mattered but those ones for now. The otheres would be told later on with better friendship...

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[Anastasia Hart]

<sup><sub>If there was one thing people never forgot about Ana, it was that she loved to eat. Unlike a lot of girls, Ana was not a fan of salad, or diets for that matter. She much preferred something hardy, such as burgers or ribs. And she could usually finish every last bite on her plate. She remembered that this was something Nick had loved about her, she remembered him saying after their first date how he was surprised such a small girl had such a large appetite, he then smiled and said that even after knowing her for a short time, it was one of his favorite things about her. But that was in the past, and it no longer mattered, right? Nick was nothing more than a memory now, and Ana really needed to stop living by memories of him. Although, just because she was no longer with Nick, she still ate the same way. Politely, of course, but still a large amount. She had barely had her food in front of her for a few minutes and it was just about gone. It almost saddened her, because the food was quite delicious. Ana smiled at the thought.

"When can I meet him?" Ryan then said, as Ana was taking her final bite. She wiped her mouth and then thought for a moment. "I wish I could say later today," She said, "But when I get him home, I should put him down for a nap, and then when he wakes up the day is pretty hectic until bed time." She said next with a sigh. She really did want Ryan to meet Tristan, it would especially help for Tristan to get used to unfamiliar faces considering he was in a new place, it was something the boy needed to adjust to. "Soon, though!" Ana said happily and with a smile. "Here..." She said, rummaging through her purse. She pulled out a pen and wrote down her phone number quickly. "Maybe sometime later this week. Just give me a call, I'll let you know." She added, still smiling. She then took a sip of her drink, and Ryan began to speak, and Ana sat patiently as he did.

Ryan told her of his past, the sleeping around, the girls, the smoking, the drinking, and Ana couldn't say she was completely shocked, maybe a little surprised, but nothing more. Besides, with her own not-so-ideal past, who was she to judge? Obviously, he had some things to work through, but so did everybody. Ana was still working through a break-up, even though it was two years ago, and she was also working through raising a child, there was nothing wrong with taking on obstacles in your life. So, Ana didn't freak out or say anything offensive about Ryan's past. She nodded as he spoke, taking everything in and smiled when he finished, allowing him to know that she understood. "You know, if you ever want someone to talk to, or want somebody to help you out, you can call me for that too." She told him honestly. She had always wished she had a friend offer that for her in the midst of being pregnant and Nick ending things, and she would gladly offer it to anybody else, it wasn't fair to be alone in a time of need.

Ana decided she wouldn't say anything further on the topic of either of their pasts or secrets. It had all been put in the open, the two of them both understood and accepted the other and that was that. Ana really did appreciate Ryan's trust in her though. She could tell just from the past hour or so that she and Ryan would be good friends. Over time, Ana could see Ryan as the type of person who she would confide in when she had a bad day, or a fight with a friend or family member. She only knew him for such a short time, but he had the type of vibe which gave Ana trust in him. For now, to simply tell him about her son, but maybe mater to tell him about Nick and how rough the ending of that relationship really was for her, and still is. But, there was no predicting the future for sure, so for now, Ana was just glad she had already made a friend who she was sure would be around for a while. But, again, only time can really tell...</sub></sup>

[<Ryan Wesley>]

"I wish I could say later today, But when I get him home, I should put him down for a nap, and then when he wakes up the day is pretty hectic until bed time." She told him. He smiled and nodded in complete understandment. He had practically raised his younger siblings while growing up. He knew all about the kids part of life. Well, not all but most. He was kinda dissapointed though. "Maybe sometime later this week. Just give me a call, I'll let you know." He looked at her then at her number after she gave it to him. He would probually call her later tonight. "Thanks. I will. " He said to her. He got the receipt. "Excuse me." He said and got up and walked up to pay for the lunch and came back and set tip on the table.

"You know, if you ever want someone to talk to, or want somebody to help you out, you can call me for that too." She told him. He nodded. "Thanks." He told her and walked her out of the diner and walked her to her car. "Well, it was nice meeting you. Hope to see you soon and Tristan too. I will give you a call." He said and kissed her cheek friendily. Then smiled and walked away from her to his truck. He got in and put her number in his phone. He texted a old friend that was coming into town tonight to see where he needed to meet her so he could show her to his house where she would stay the night. The girl was engaged with a kid, heading over to her fiance's place but needed a place to stay over night.

Being a good friend he told her she could stay at his place. There would be nothing going on, so he would call Ana. Talk to her a little, get to know her. Let her know he cared and wanted to be friends and maybe more. She was nice, and he wasn't going to let her go easily like he had so many other nice girls. He was gonna try to keep her a friend..til she was comfortable then he might try to make some moves. But he wouldn't ask to go out..like girlfriend boyfriend til way later..

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[Anastasia Hart]

<sup><sub>She was glad when Ryan took her number, and also relieved. She couldn't the last time she had given anybody her number, but she did remember a few times way back before Tristan when she was rejected. Rejection was a funny word for Ana actually, it been a huge part of her life; whether it was Nick rejecting her and their child, or her parents rejecting many of the choices she had made, even when people would reject her for who she was, and although Ana had grown very afraid of that word, rejection, she also decided to let the word drive her. Drive her to stay true to herself, to prove to her parents, to Nick and most importantly, to Tristan, that what came first was you and although there may be a few bumps along the road and a few people who may hurt you, it shouldn't stop you. The only problem was that Ana had yet to truly live by those words. Moving here was the first step in trying to do so, and giving Ryan may be the second. The question was, was it worth it? Were these the right decisions? Who knows, but they only way to find out is to go for it.

Ana definitely supported her decision in giving Ryan her number, at least for the time being, when he took the check. It reminded her of the early days when she dated Nick, he had always been such a gentleman and so polite, who the hell knows where all of that went. Ana closed her eyes and re-opened them after a deep breathe, she had also recently decided that living in the past was something she needed to stop doing. Forget Nick, she would try to tell herself, live now, in this moment. She smiled, and when she opened her eyes, Ryan had returned. "Thank you... for paying." She said to him, and although she really wanted to offer him money, she decided that just this once, she would enjoy the moment and allow him to pay. Maybe some other time she would give him 10 bucks and let him know she was paying him back, but for now, Ana was going to pretend that she was living just the way she wanted, and eating lunch with a sweet guy, who politely pays for himself and his date, if they could call it that.

The pair of them proceeded to walk back to their cars. Ryan walked Ana over to hers, and Ana wasn't really sure what to do. Hug him? Just say goodbye? But Ryan was much smoother than Ana was, and obviously had had more than one decent relationship in his life time. "Well, it was nice meeting you. Hope to see you soon and Tristan too. I will give you a call." He said, and Ana nodded. He gave her a short, sweet kiss on her cheek and Ana put an arm around him in a half hug, really appreciating the short time they had together. As they pulled away, Ana looked up at him being slightly taller than she was. Ana hesitated before remembering her own words, live now, in this moment, she took a deep breathe and then lightly grabbed the back of Ryan's neck with one hand and pulled them together for a very short kiss. No longer than a second or two, no tongue or anything like that, but it was definitely nice. Ana smiled as she pulled away.

She was unable to do anything more than give a slight wave and then get into her car. She took another deep breathe. "Whoa." She said allowed to herself once she shut the door. She started her car and began to pull out as her thoughts were spinning. She couldn't believe she had just done that. She had really take chance number 3 right there, and she wasn't sure yet if she was glad she had done that, or maybe nervous, possibly shocked, or even just confused. Ana even be angry at herself for doing that, somebody she barely knew, and when she didn't even think she wanted a relationship. Ana was definitely... frazzled, for lack of a better word. She really couldn't figure out why she had done that, or how, or what at all had driven her. Her head was spinning as she drove out of the parking lot. She decided to again live in the moment, and let things fall as they may. For now, she had to go pick up her son, because no matter what ever happened, he was always her first priority.</sub></sup>

[<Ryan Wesley>]

Ryan had liked her kiss.. of course he kissed her back. He put his arm around her as well. He had let her go. He stopped at the barn and put his bridle together and hung it up in his trailer where he kept all his tack. He fed his horses and went to meet his friend Tisha at the gas station. He showed her the way to his house and got out helping her with her two year old son and went inside. They were both tired after a long drive so he had cooked them some dinner. He let her and her son sleep in his bed, since he only had one bed. He laid on his couch and watched tv quietly. He decided he would text Ana.

Hey girl. How was the rest of your day? Hope it was good. He sent it and waited as he watched the tv. He looked around his house and rubbed his face gently. He wished he could just relax and let her live her life.. but something was telling him to hang onto her and keep friends with her atleast.. and maybe they would grow on each other. He wasn't sure but it was worth a try in his opinion. He reached over to his lamp and turned it on and got into a cupboard in the light table and got out his ipod. He turned it on and waited for her to text back.

It wasn't too late, it was only about 9. He hoped she wasn't sleeping. He listened to Superman by Eminem and kinda had to laugh a little. That was how he use to be.. but he wanted love now. He longed for it. And he was going to prove to Ana he wasn't like that anymore.. that he wanted something different in his life. He flipped through his songs and stopped on a song called Snuff by Slipknot. He laughed at that one too.. being all depressing.. but he listened to it anyway, waiting patiently for her text back.

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