Is this destiny?

JoAnna's head was a mess. What did he just say? That she needs to wait for him? To do what exactly…? She felt like a child who just got told 'you can have your favorite ice cream, it's right in front of you, and the ice cream wants you to eat it... but later.'

"What if I don't want to wait?" JoAnna herself was not sure if this had a meaning 'I want you now', or 'I don't want any part of it.'

Of course, Jeff didn't consider first option, he took a second one. "I will still make my parents cancel the agreement... and I will wait for you. As long as it takes." He looked her in the eyes hoping that she will see his honesty. He opened his heart, and there was nothing left to hide.

'Damn! Does his every word need to go straight to my heart?' Even if she manages to deny him, can she deny herself?

They sat in silence for several excruciating long minutes. JoAnna stood up and walked to the bedroom. She pulled out his carry on and bags from that afternoon shopping and left them in the hallway.

"You can sleep in the guest bedroom!", JoAnna said before closing the bedroom door behind her.

Jeff told himself that it could have been worse. At least she didn't kick him out of the apartment. 'She didn't lock the door of her bedroom. She still trusts me.' He smiled bitterly and went to get his things.

"Just my luck... I finally find a guy who moves my heart and he is promised to someone... " JoAnna mumbled.

She went to shower and came out shortly after that in her pajamas. She was not able to get out of her mind what he said... how he can't stop thinking about her, but he has an arranged marriage. 'He said he met her last weekend, wasn't that weekend when Sarah went to his birthday?' JoAnna called Sarah. "Not sleeping?"

"Not yet... where is Jeff?" Sarah wanted to confirm that there is nothing fishy going on between Jeff and her sister.

"In the guest bedroom."

JoAnna heard Sarah sigh in relief.

"Can I ask you something? Do you have time now?"

"Sure, go." Sarah heard that Jeff is in a different room, so Sarah was relaxed.

"Are you aware that Jeff has... an arranged marriage?"

"Yes." Another sigh of relief came from Sarah. Sarah had some doubts about Jeff, but if he told JoAnna about Isabella, then he should not have any funny ideas about her.

"Can you tell me about that?"

"His parents arranged something for business purposes a while ago. I don't know much. He met Isabella last weekend. She is nice, and also caught up in that whole thing not knowing how to handle it."

JoAnna knows that additional questions might reveal her interest in Jeff, but she needs to find out more. "Does she like him?"

"I don't think so... They just met. But it's not love at first sight."

"Does he like her?" JoAnna held her breath waiting to hear Sarah's response.

"Does he like anyone?" Sarah chuckled. "Why are you asking about this?"

"I spent some time with him today, and he mentioned it... so I'm curious. And at the same time, I think it's a sensitive topic, so I didn't want to ask him." JoAnna was always good in coming up with a great coverup on spot. And she expected a question like this.

Sarah agreed with JoAnna's point. "I know what you mean. Those things never happened to anyone I know, so I was curious as well... I can tell you that if it's not for that arrangement, Jeff and Isabella would not be matched by themselves. Except for both of them not willing to go through that, I don't think that they have anything else in common."

JoAnna held her breath for a second before continuing. "How do you know that they don't want to go though it?"

"Reading body language, of course."

"Thank you." JoAnna smiled. She found a relief hearing that both Jeff or the other woman are not interested in that marriage arrangement.

"Uhm... you are welcome."

"OK. I'm going to sleep now. Will talk again later." JoAnna hanged up not waiting for the response. She wanted to ask more details but didn't want Sarah to suspect that she is interested in Jeff.

Maybe next time she can ask more questions... but, what's the point? Will it change anything?

JoAnna went to her bed and pulled blanket over her head. She could not sleep... she tossed in her bed trying to get comfortable. After some time, she gave up trying. She was staring at the ceiling and decided to summarize what she knows.

#1: Jeff likes her. Without any doubt she is certain that he likes her.

#2: He has an arranged marriage waiting for him. He said that he will cancel it, but it's still pending. Jeff told her about it, and she appreciates that. What Sarah said only confirmed his story.

#3: Does she like him? Does point #2 change how she feels about him?

JoAnna looked at the time, it was after midnight. She got out of the bed and walked to the guest bedroom. JoAnna hesitated in front of the door for few seconds before opening them slowly.

She walked to the bed and watched Jeff who was lying in the bed. His eyes are closed, but JoAnna could observe irregular breathing.

"I know you are awake." She whispered.

"I'm trying to sleep." He lied.

She chuckled at his poor attempt to lie.

He observed her for some time. "Why are you here?"

She was waiting for him to ask. "I said that I will spend tomorrow with you... well, it's tomorrow."

Jeff stared at her, stunned.

JoAnna moved closer to the bed, shifted the blankets and laid down next to him. She placed her head on his shoulder and inhaled deeply. "You smell nice...", she exhaled.

Jeff wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in a tight embrace. He felt his heart swelling from the joy of holding her... another part of his body was also swelling.

JoAnna noticed. "Hey, we are only sleeping... don't get funny ideas."

Jeff was embarrassed. "I can't control that... it has mind on its own. But I can vouch for the rest of me, I will be a gentleman."

'I wish you wouldn't...', She thought and hid it with a giggle. "What are we going to do tomorrow? ... I mean today?"

"I don't know yet.." Jeff responded while in his mind he added, 'I feel lucky that you didn't kick me out, I didn't dare make any plans.'