Here we go…
She begins to read, her shoulders hunched over, her fingers flexing and drumming on the table. She starts tapping furiously at the keys. I can’t see her face, which is frustrating, but I don’t think she’s impressed with what she’s just read. A moment later she abandons the phone on the table in what appears to be disgust.
That’s not good.
Her mother returns and signals one of the waiters for another round of drinks. I wonder how many they’ve had.
I check my phone, and sure enough, there’s a response.
* * *
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: OLD Dinner Companions
Date: June 1 2011 21:42 EST
To: Christian Grey
She’s not just an old friend.
Has she found another adolescent boy to sink her teeth into?
Did you get too old for her?
Is that the reason your relationship finished?
What the hell? My temper simmers as I read.
Isaac is in his late twenties.
Like me.
How dare she?
Is it the drink talking?
Time to declare yourself, Grey.
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Careful…
Date: June 1 2011 21:45 EST
To: Anastasia Steele
This is not something I wish to discuss via e-mail.
How many Cosmopolitans are you going to drink?
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
She studies her phone, sits up suddenly, and looks around the room.
Showtime, Grey.
I deposit ten bucks on the counter and saunter over to them.
Our eyes meet. She blanches—shocked, I think—and I don’t know how she’ll greet me, or how I’ll contain my temper if she says anything else about Elena.
She tucks her hair behind her ears with restless fingers. A sure sign that she’s nervous. “Hi,” she says, her voice strained and high-pitched.
“Hi.” I lean down and kiss her cheek. She smells amazing, even if she does tense as my lips brush her skin. She looks lovely; she’s caught some sun, and she’s not wearing a bra. Her breasts are straining against the silky material of her top, but hidden by her long hair.
For my eyes only, I hope.
And even though she’s mad, I’m glad to see her. I’ve missed her.
“Christian, this is my mother, Carla.” Ana gestures to her mom.
“Mrs. Adams, I am delighted to meet you.”
Her mom’s eyes are all over me.
Shit! She’s checking me out. Best ignore it, Grey.
After a longer-than-necessary pause, she reaches out to shake my hand. “Christian.”
“What are you doing here?” Ana asks, her tone accusatory.
“I came to see you, of course. I’m staying in this hotel.”
“You’re staying here?” she squeaks.
Yes. I can’t quite believe it, either. “Well, yesterday you said you wished I was here.” I’m trying to gauge her reaction. So far there’s been: nervous fidgeting, tensing, an accusatory tone, and a strained voice. This is not going well. “We aim to please, Miss Steele,” I add, deadpan, hoping to put her in a good mood.
“Won’t you join us for a drink, Christian?” Mrs. Adams says graciously, and catches the eye of the waiter.
I need something stronger than beer. “I’ll have a gin and tonic,” I tell the waiter. “Hendrick’s, if you have it, or Bombay Sapphire. Cucumber with the Hendrick’s, lime with the Bombay.”
“And two more Cosmos, please,” Ana adds, with an anxious look at me.
She’s right to be anxious. I think she’s had enough to drink already.
“Please pull up a chair, Christian.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Adams.”
I do as she asks, and sit down beside Ana.
“So you just happen to be staying in the hotel where we’re drinking?” Ana’s tone is tense.
“Or you just happen to be drinking in the hotel where I’m staying. I just finished dinner, came in here, and saw you. I was distracted, thinking about your most recent e-mail”—I give her a pointed look—“and I glance up and there you are. Quite a coincidence, eh?”
Ana looks flustered. “My mother and I were shopping this morning and on the beach this afternoon. We decided on a few cocktails this evening,” she says hurriedly, as if she has to justify drinking in a bar with her mother.
“Did you buy that top?” I ask. She really does look stunning. Her camisole is emerald green; I’ve made the right choices—gem colors—for the clothes Caroline Acton has selected for her. “The color suits you. And you’ve caught some sun. You look lovely.” Her cheeks color and her lips lift at my compliment. “Well, I was going to pay you a visit tomorrow. But here you are.” I take her hand, because I want to touch her, and I give it a gentle squeeze. Slowly I caress her knuckles with my thumb, and her breathing alters.
Yes, Ana. Feel it.
Don’t be mad at me.
Her eyes meet mine, and I’m rewarded with her coy smile.
“I thought I’d surprise you. But as ever, Anastasia, you surprise me by being here. I don’t want to interrupt the time you have with your mother. I’ll have a quick drink and then retire. I have work to do.” I resist kissing her knuckles. I don’t know what she’s said to her mother about us, if anything.
“Christian, it’s lovely to meet you finally. Ana has spoken very fondly of you,” Mrs. Adams says, with a charming smile.
“Really?” I glance at Ana, who’s blushing.
Fondly, eh?
This is good news.
The waiter places my gin and tonic in front of me.