The Bookworm and the Billionaire
By tvdfanpam
Chapter 2
Cheers to your First Date
Thank you everyone who has favored/followed this story and for all the reviews. I don't own the characters or get paid to write this story.
Ana and Andrea take the same cab to the bar where they meet Kate Kavanagh and her brother Ethan. "Hey Ethan. How was your trip?" Asked Ana giving him a brief hug and kiss on the cheek.
"It was great. Too short but I am glad I got to have a break before I start my new job next week. What's new with you Ana Banana?"
Andrea jumps in. "She has a date!"
"Shhh. Not so loud. I think the people in the back heard you." Said Ana glaring at her friend who is so excited she can hardly sit still.
Ethan looks at Ana with interest. "Who's our little bookworm going out on a date with?"
All eyes are on Ana as they wait for her answer. Ana turns bright red. "Um, Christian Grey." She whispers.
"Who?" Said Kate jumping into the conversation. "Did you say Christian Grey, as in Seattle's Most Eligible Bachelor, who everyone thinks is gay, Christian Grey?"
"Yes, that's the one!" She said.
Kate is stunned into silence. Then she starts laughing hysterically. "Does your dad know yet?"
"No, I haven't told him yet. He just asked me not an hour ago!" Said Ana indignantly.
"I see." Said Kate thoughtfully. "How about I call him and tell him then?"
"Kate, you're having too much fun at my expense!" Said Ana frowning.
Kate has her phone out and is dialing Ray Steele as Ana tries unsuccessfully to take the phone away from her. Kate holds it out away from Ana's short arms easily.
"Hello! Hello! Is anybody there?" Asks Ray on the phone.
"Hey Ray, its Kate. How are you?"
"Doing well. Why are you calling me? Is Annie okay?" He asks anxiously.
"Yeah, she's fine. She's right here and has some exciting news." Says Kate gleefully. "I'll put her on the phone." She hands the phone to Ana who is glaring daggers at her.
"Hi daddy!" She said.
"Hi Honey. Is everything okay?" He asks. "What's your news?"
"I have a date tomorrow!" She says proudly.
"A date? Who with?" Asks Ray.
"His name is Christian Grey. Andrea introduced me to him today. I am leasing my building from him." She explains.
"Christian Grey?" Said Ray thoughtfully. "Isn't he a little old for you?"
"No, I don't think so. He's in his 20's; I'm in my 20's." She said sighing and pinching the bridge of her nose.
"When is this date taking place?" Asks Ray.
"Tomorrow night. He's picking me up at 7:00 pm and taking me to the Mile High Club to celebrate my new bookstore." Said Ana warily.
"Ok, honey. I'll be at your apartment tomorrow at 6:00 pm. I've got to meet the man who is taking my baby girl on her first date." Said Ray. "See you tomorrow." He hangs up the phone.
Ana turns to Kate. "Are you happy now? You just had to call my dad, didn't you?"
Kate and Andrea are laughing so hard they are crying. "Steele, this is awesome. You're almost 23 years old and this is your first date! Your dad always said he had to meet your dates before you went out with them."
"Yeah, when I was 16! Remember Mark Newton? My dad called him and had a 'chat' with him and every time after that when I would see him in the halls at school, he would turn around and go the other way! You know my dad, he still has his old army connections. He could make someone disappear if he wanted to." Ana is wringing her hands now with tears in her eyes.
"Ana, I'm sorry. I just wanted to see what he would say. I didn't think he would actually come her and want to meet your date!" Said Kate patting her hand.
"Why do you think I have never dated before?" Asked Ana. "He's so protective of me ever since Mom died."
"Hey this is supposed to be a fun night, remember?" Said Andrea cutting in. "Let's celebrate Ana's success!" She waves over the waitress and they place their drink orders. "Here's to Ana. New bookstore owner, first date!"
"To Ana!" They say as they clink their glasses together.
The next morning Kate runs into Ana's room and jumps on the bed. "Ana, get up! There is a surprise for you in the living room!" Said Kate excitedly.
"Is it coffee?" Mumbles Ana as she burrows down in the covers.
"No, but I'll make you some if you come see right now!" Kate is jumping on the bed. "Ana, get up! I waited an hour already. I can't wait any longer!" She whines.
"Okay, I'll be there in a minute." Said Ana pulling the covers over her head.
"No, you'll go back to sleep. You'll like it, I promise." Said Kate.
"I'm awake, okay! Stop talking. I'm coming." Said Ana grumpily. She raises up and opens her eyes. Kate is standing there with her hands on her hips.
"Come on Steele! Come see your surprise."
"You know I hate surprises." Said Ana yawning loudly. "You kept me out too late last night and I am tired. You don't want me to have bags under my eyes on my date do you?" She asked Kate.
"Stop it with the guilt trip Steele! You hardly ever go out with us." Said Kate.
They walk into the living room and there is the biggest bouquet of fresh flowers that Ana has ever seen in a beautiful crystal vase. There is a card sticking out of the flowers. Ana goes to the vase and takes the card out of the envelope and reads it. Kate is impatiently waiting.
"Who are they from Ana?" Asked Kate.
Ana smiles mysteriously. "I thought you were going to make me some coffee?"
"What? You're not going to tell me who sent you flowers?" Asked Kate incredulously.
"Not until I have my coffee." Said Ana smiling widely. She sits down on the sofa and texts someone on her phone. She grins when she gets an answer back almost immediately.
Kate stomps into the kitchen and pours Ana a cup of coffee then adds just the right amount of Chocolate Caramel creamer into the cup, stirs it and hands it to Ana. "Now tell me who sent you the flowers!"
"My date for the evening." Said Ana dreamily as she sips her coffee. "I sent him a thank you and he said he had never sent flowers to anyone before and he picked them out himself!"
Kate is stunned. "Hmmm, this just gets more interesting. Hurry up and drink your coffee Steele, we have a lot of shopping to do today. We have to find you the perfect outfit for your first date!"
Ana frowns at Kate. "Can't you just go get something out of your closet for me to borrow? You know I hate shopping!"
"No, this is a special occasion. You need to go to the store and try on clothes until we find the perfect dress!"
Four hours later, they find The One! That dress that looks deceptively simple but is fabulous when Ana tries it on. They get shoes and then Kate talks Ana into getting her nails done. By the time they get home, Ana just has time to get a quick shower before Kate can work her magic on her. Ray knocks on their door at 6:00 pm just like he said he would and is stunned into silence when Ana walks out of her room.
"Annie, you look amazing baby girl!" He says with tears in his eyes. "You look all grown up and just like your mother." He said softly. "This Christian Grey had better treat you right or I will make him disappear. I still know people!" He said darkly.
"Dad, relax. You don't need to make anyone disappear. Would you like a beer? There is still a little while before Christian gets here." Asked Ana wanting to distract him.
"Ana, let's have a glass of wine, Ray here's your beer." Said Kate. They chit chat for a few minutes and then there is a knock on the door. Ray jumps up to answer the door.
"Annie, go to your room. I want to talk to your date before you leave with him." Said Ray as he goes to the door.
"Dad, that's not necessary. I'm a grown woman." She protests.
Ray opens the door to Christian standing there. He looks surprised to see Ana's father there. "Mr. Steele, I'm Christian Grey. I'm here for your daughter Ana." He says smoothly, like he meets the fathers of his dates every day.
Ray takes his hand and shakes it grudgingly. "Good to meet you, Mr. Grey."
"Please call me Christian." He says. He waits for Ray to say he can call him Ray but he doesn't.
"Come in Christian." Said Ana trying to get between them. "My dad was in town visiting and wanted to meet you before he left. Weren't you dad? Just leaving?" Said Ana trying to be subtle and failing. "Would you like a glass of wine before we leave?" She asked Christian politely.
"We should be going, our reservations are for 7:00 pm. We don't want to be late." Said Christian turning to Ana.
"Have a seat. You can get there whenever you want, you own the restaurant." Said Ray taking a seat on the sofa. Twenty minutes later Ray seems satisfied with the answers Christian gave him so he stands and sticks out his hand to Christian. "Behave yourself around my Annie, I know how to make people disappear." He said squeezing his hand really hard.
Christian winces and looks Ray in the eye. "I will sir. Nice to meet you. Ana, we better be going. Good night sir, Katherine." He said as he escorted Ana out of the apartment. "Is he like that with all of your dates?" Asked Christian.
"You have no idea." Said Ana smiling as he took her hand and got on the elevator.