Kate rolled her eyes.

"Are you even listening to me, Ana? Don't tell me I'm catching you right after a round of man candy."

I came back to the present. Kate was sitting across from me, glaring, but all I could do was smile. My session with Toby was perfect. I had gotten completely lost in him. I re-imagined how he had sat me on the window sill, buck naked. I wrapped my bare legs around his waste while he sucked at my nipples and then felt his fingers plunge inside me, exploring, preparing the way for that amazing cock.

"I just had some therapy, that's all," I said.

Kate's eyes widened. "Anastasia Steele! How long are you going to go on like this? Don't you have any desire to, I don't know, settle down a little? Even just for a couple of months?"

I sighed. I was getting tired of having this conversation, but clearly Kate needed the script repeated. Again. "Kate, I love you to pieces, I really do. But you were there for my last three relationships. Have you forgotten already? Men love a woman like me until things start to get serious – then suddenly I'm expected to pull all the weight. I can't do it anymore, you know that. I need a man. A man who can meet me on my level instead of becoming a big ball of nervrd whenever I get upset –"

"Okay, okay, okay," Kate held her hands up in submission. "I get it, okay? I just don't know if it's healthy. You're using protection, right?"

"Oh my God, Kate, what are you, my fucking mom? Of course I am. Can we talk about business now? My love life isn't on the agenda, last time I checked."

Kate turned back to the proposal in front of her and we reviewed the terms.

Fifteen minutes later, we pulled our things together and headed to the elevator. I was looking forward to getting back to our massive apartment and hiding out in the TV room for a few hours with a copy of Pride and Prejudice. It felt so good to transport myself back to a simpler time when men were real men and the world wasn't so massive and stressful.

"So do you know who you're taking to the fundraiser this weekend yet?" Kate probed.

Ah fuck. I'd completely forgotten about it.

Kate observed the look of bewilderment on my face. "I take it that's a no?"

I scowled. "I'll just go alone. People do that, don't they?"

"No," Kate cried, "they don't! And neither will you."

"Well, I don't have much choice. The escort agency gets booked out at least two weeks in advance."

Kate gave me a knowing smile. "Maybe you do have a choice."

Uh oh. I knew that look on her face. Shit. She'd been counting on this. She knew how flaky I was – she knew damn well I'd forget to line someone up. The elevator door opened and we joined ten of our closest, most cranky friends for the ride down to freedom.

"Oh, for God's sake, Kate," I murmured, "just tell me his name already so I can tell you no."

"I'm a little insulted that you have so little trust in my judgment. I could find you a fine man if you'd give me the chance."

"Shit, it's someone I know, isn't it? I told you, I'm not dating Harvey from accounting. It's against my moral code to fuck within the company."

"I'm not talking about Harvey – although you two would make an amazing couple. I wonder if I can get him fired…"

"Kate." I was getting frustrated.

She looked at me innocently. "What?"

"The name?" I asked.

Just then the elevator door opened and we were forced out with the throng like a tidal wave. I managed to grab Kate's arm before I completely lost her to the escalator. We stepped on together and I gave her an expectant look.

She smiled. "You know the guy I'm dating, Elliot?"

I nodded. "You mean the one you've been dating for the past year? Yes, I'm familiar with him. I'm particularly familiar with the sex noises he makes in the middle of the night. Can't you guys fuck at bedtime like every other person?"

"Hey, the time of night I choose to fuck is my own business! And you're changing the subject. Elliot has a brother."

"Wait, hang on. Your boyfriend of one year has a brother and you're only just now telling me?"

We stepped off the escalator and followed the crowd into the street. We waited by the curb while our car meandered slowly to through the traffic to our side.

"Um, did you not hear yourself ten minutes ago? 'Don't hook me up with anyone, Kate. You have horrible taste in men, Kate.'" She was mocking me.

"That's not what I said," I huffed.

"Well, anyways, I just found out myself. His name, since you're so adamant to know, is Christian. Apparently Elliot avoids introducing him to people; he's a bit of a loner or something."

"And you want to introduce him to me?"

"Okay, first of all, Ana, he's drop-dead gorgeous. I mean, way more fuckable than any of the escorts you keep patronizing. And second of all, does it really matter? You need a date in four days and I don't see any other options magically presenting themselves."

She was right. As much as I threatened to show up at the fundraiser alone, I knew I'd never do it. It fit way too easily into the image everyone already had of me: female CEO, single and sexless, giving up love for piles of money. I couldn't stand the idea of perpetuating that ridiculous social stereotype.

"I'll think about it."

Kate grinned wildly. "That's all I ask."

I hate it when she wins.

Our car pulled up and we headed home.

Happy Holiday, my lovely readers! Please leave a comment, I love hearing your thoughts! Also, as a Christmas gift, I'm giving all my readers a sneak peek at my upcoming continuation of my published novel, "Losing You". If you'd like to be on the list of recipients, email me at pjhaynie at yahoo dot com.

Mwah!