Unfortunately though before morning, my dreams remind me of my real life. I am back in Harvard yard at a dorm mixer. Candy, Lea, Mel, and Chris are there. I thought they were my friend, but unfortunately, I trusted them and on one of those low nights I got really drunk. Thanks to my so called friends, I was the laughing stock of the dorm. Then they all decided they were going to Cancun for Spring Break. They invited me, but I had to turn them down. I told them I couldn't go because I couldn't make the travel schedule, but really I couldn't afford it. Once that happened they started having parties without me and telling me they were just planning the trip and didn't think I would want to be there. Well my feelings were crushed only to further help with my isolated feelings. I am reminded of this in my dreams. My fears of rejection come back like a wave crashing on the beach. Those girls were like all the others. They pretended to be my friends and at the first test of real friendship, they broke my heart like all the others.
I wake up in a cold sweat. I know that Ana is not like them. I know that she is a real nice person. I have heard only good things about Mia and Kate to so I should just relax. I can't though. I decide that a run is the right way to put the pressure at ease. I take off with Max at a good clip. I am trying to force the doubt away. I keep telling myself all of Flynn's phrases. This is my past damages. I can't let this dictate my future. The person who let herself be victimized is gone. I am not that person anymore. I can do it. I can make healthy relationships a part of my future.
When I get back from my run, I give Max his breakfast and go for a shower. I dress in a cute camisole shirt and matching sweater. I put on my dark jeans and tie my hair in a pony tail. It is almost 9. I realize I have time to do a load of laundry and head to the laundry room. I run into sweet Mrs. O'Riley. She is bringing her groceries up the stairs. I run to help her. She is like the mother I never had. She smiles the minute she sees me.
"Oh, dear," She says. "How are you?"
"I am good." I say, "I have even been seeing someone sort of."
The look of shock on her face is almost the exact match of Flynn's.
"Can you join me for a cup of tea. I am sure that Mr. O'Riley would love to hear about him as well." She answers.
"I will stop by after I get this load in the washer." I say as I head to the laundry room
"Oh good. I will get the kettle going." She answers.
I start my load of towels and sheets. Once I get it going, I turn to go back to the O'Rileys. I have 45 minutes. I lightly tap on her door. She answers immediately. There sitting at the table is Mr. O'Riley. He is the father I never really had.
I fill them in about the weeks I have had. I take out names and places to protect my nda. I tell them how I met Sawyer and the sort of dates that we have had. They both say that they must meet him if I plan on getting serious. She will have us over for a proper Irish Dinner. I laugh. They are both so sweet to worry about me. They tell me all about their three sons and one daughter. She is the most protected girl in America. The three Irish boys protect their sister at all cost. I usually have Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas dinner with them. The first year I moved in when they found out I was all alone on the holiday, they instantly invited me. I tried to say no, but there was no saying no. So I am the newest child in their family. It was strange at first, but now I actually look forward to it. I leave to change my clothes from the washer to the dryer. I tell them thank you for the tea, but I have to go. I have to take Max for a walk before I leave for my dress adventure. When Max and I get back, the clothes are done. I take them out and fold them. I will put them away later. I look out the window and soon the SUV is outside. I see him step out and wait beside the car like this is any other pick up.
I take a deep breathe and head out the door. When I get down there, he is all business outside the SUV. My heart sinks a little, but I remind myself that he has a job to do. As I slide in, there is Ana. She tells me that Kate and Mia will meet us there. She tells me how Kate is dating Christian's brother and how Mia is sort of seeing Kate's brother Ethan. I smile and think wow it sounds kind of funny. We head to our tea first. It is a cozy little restaurant. The place is every bit the place you would think of when you say a tea. Mia comes flying from the table. First she hugs Ana, and then she hugs me. In that embrace, I feel the same love I feel when her parents hug me. The feeling is so nice. Kate is much more refined, but still very nice. I can tell that she is guarded. I am sure that some think she is a snob, but I am sure she is just protecting herself and Ana. Kate's love for Ana is so real and protective. I feel her checking me out to make sure I am worthy of her friend. I understand this behavior and actually I admire it. I wish I had friends like this.
We have a really great tea. We actually are able to break down walls and have amazing conversations. We talked about guys, clothes, and jobs. I am so glad I came. Kate lets us know that her mom wants to have her designers make Ana's dress. She tells us that our job today is to find the style and color that looks best on Ana. Kate's mom will then take care of the rest. Her mom is hoping to join us at the end. We go to the bridal salon at Niemen Marcus and Caroline, Christian's personal shopper, is there to assist us. She starts pulling dresses and to be honest each on is more beautiful then the one before it. As Ana predicted I was the voice of reason. I would tell her when I felt it was too much or not enough. Mia was always way more over the top every one was beautiful or awesome. Kate was a little more refined as you imagined. She seemed to agree with Mia more than I thought she would. It seemed as though she was trying to befriend her. I really was the middle view. My favorite part was knowing that poor Sawyer was stuck witnessing this whole event. Then I had a moment of shyness. I realized that he was getting a glimpse of me relaxing with the girls. Mia and Kate tried on Bridesmaids dresses. As we were finishing up, Kate's mom and Grace stopped by. We showed them our top three dresses for Ana and our top three Bridesmaid dresses. Grace's eyes filled with tears at the sight of Ana in a bridal gown. Kate's mom took pictures of the three. You could see the wheels turning and I was excited to see what she came up with. We bid the ladies good bye and now the real challenge begins. Sawyer takes us back to the car. As I got into the car, he switched his hands so his hand touched my shoulder. The feeling excited me. He drove us straight to Escala.
It was about 4:30 when we got there. We walked in and Ana went straight to the kitchen to start dinner heating up. She grabbed us two glasses of wine, and gave me a quick tour. The place was amazing. She found a place for us to sit near the fireplace. Christian was in his study, so she didn't want to talk about the dresses. She wanted him to be completely in the dark. She told me about growing up with her step father. She told me that Ray was an amazing guy. She told me about how Jose's dad and Ray were Army buddies which just made their friendship magical. She told me about meeting Kate on the first day of WSU. They weren't roommates but lived across the hall from each other. Ana said that she was so overwhelmed by being away from Ray, but Kate took care of her and got her out of her shell. Kate helped her adjust to college life. Kate hated dorm life, and by second semester of freshman year, her dad had talked the dean into an off campus apartment for Ana and Kate which was a no no for freshman. She moved in with Kate and the rest was history. The house began to smell so good. Christian stuck his head out of his study and asked how long. Ana told him about another 15 minutes.
"Why are you at all the Grey's functions?" Ana asked.
"Harlan, my best friend, well, his father is partners with Carrick. We met at orientation freshman year. He asked me to borrow a pencil. About a week later, he returned it and we started talking over coffee. He became my first best friend. He has always been there for me." I tell her.
"Are you dating?" Ana ask.
"No, he isn't really my type and I am not his." I tell her. Although Harlan is out. It isn't something he likes advertised. She seems confused and I don't help her.
"I didn't make dinner." She tells me, "Mrs. Jones did. I am just reheating. It will be good. Trust me." She says.
I help her set the table and prepare for the next event. I am not sure how this will go with Christian. I decide to go with the don't speak unless spoken to. Ana goes to his study to call him to dinner. I hear a little PDA and instantly blush.
"Good evening Angelica." He says in his silky voice.
"Good evening." I answer.
He continues with, "Did you enjoy shopping?"
"Yes, I did." I say.
"Did you find a dress?" He asks
"We found many nice dresses." I respond.
Ana brings dinner to the table. It is a chicken alfredo, and it looks amazing. Ana refills our wine glasses and fills a glass for Christian. We each fill our plates. I am careful not to take too much. Christian asks how I like work. I tell him that I like it very well. He asks where I live. I tell him. He asks how I plan on getting home this evening. I tell him walk or take a cab. He calls to Taylor.
"Taylor, please arrange for someone to take Ms. Miller home this evening." He says.
Wow, I think Sawyer called that one. I try not to smile.
"Where did you live before Harvard?" Christian asks.
Again I feel like he knows the answer, but I answer just the same. "I lived in a small town in Mississippi."
"Mississippi, wow that must have been interesting." He says.
Obviously, Christian has never been to small town in Mississippi. "It was a place where you didn't have privacy. Every one knew every one and every one was related. We moved there for my step father's job. He was working for a biotech company at the time. They had a manufacturing plant and he was to over see it." I tell him.
"How long did you live there?" He asks.
"For 5 years." I respond. "It was pretty but hard to be that perfect."
"Perfect?" He ask
"Yes you couldn't go to the grocery store except looking your best. Everyone was in your business so you tried to always look perfect."
"I see." He says.
I am so relieved he stayed away from the heavy topics. Instead he began to ask me about Harvard, and we compared notes. He told me that he didn't feel challenged there. He felt like he couldn't expand there. He told me that he liked the town and traveling around the area, but that was about all. I told him that I loved the area. It was so beautiful. We spoke briefly on the subject of Harlan. I knew not to expand. We finished up dinner and Christian headed back to his study. Ana and I cleaned the table. I helped her with dishes. We were both pretty tired. So I told her I was ready to go. Christian called to Taylor again, and Sawyer appeared. I saw the confused look on Christian's face, but he seemed to role with it.
"Thank you for a lovely evening." I told them.
"You are welcome." Ana and Christian said together.
Sawyer escorted me out the door. We kept our business side until we were in the elevator. I giggled at the fact that his shoulders actually relaxed. We got off the elevator. We headed to the SUV. He smiled as I got in the car. He put on his seat belt and took my hand. He kissed my knuckles again telling me how nice it was to see me again. I told him that I felt the same. He drove me back to my apartment and kept his hands intertwined with mine the whole way. When we got to my apartment, he opened my door. Our eyes met in the moonlight. He bent down and kissed my lips. He lingered just long enough.
"I will see you tomorrow." He said.
"See you tomorrow." I said.
I swear I floated to my door again. He watched me all the way. I turned and asked one final question. "What time tomorrow?"
"11:30?" He asked.
"Perfect." I say.
And with that I went inside. It was a really great day.