It's been a week since I arrived in Seattle, and I'm still having mixed feelings. Things have improved somewhat, especially thanks to my job at the book store. Haley has been supportive and is becoming a great friend. Christian continues to be my rock through everything. However, I'm still feeling out of place. Time and patience is is what it will take according to Christian.
"Ana, what are you doing tonight?", Haley asks as I'm stocking the shelves with a shipment of new releases.
"I don't know. Why?"
"Adam has a dinner meeting and can't come over. There is no way that I'm staying home alone so I'm going out. You should come." It would be nice to have a night out. All of my free time has been spent with Christian, but I need to start getting out more.
"I don't know. Let me think about it."
At noon, Haley puts the closed sign in the window so we can head to lunch. I offered to stay behind so she wouldn't have to close, but she insisted that we go together. We walk down the street to the deli.
"Haley, I feel guilty about not staying behind. You didn't have to close."
"It's just until we get our orders and then we can head back. Relax Ana, it's fine."
As I'm waiting to place my order, I overhear the two blondes in front of us gossiping about their celeb crushes.
"Oh my god! My friend who works at GEH told me that Sex God Christian Grey has a new girlfriend." I know that I shouldn't listen, but the conversation is about me.
"Who's the lucky girl?", blonde number two asks.
"She doesn't know the name, but get this, she is from a farm." Haley looks at me with anger in her eyes.
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah. I couldn't believe it at first. He does a lot of charity work so maybe she's part of it. Can you imagine?" Please don't cry. Please don't cry. The ringing of my phone startles me, Christian. Instead of answering it, I hit ignore.
"I can't ignore this.", Haley says, tapping blonde number one on the shoulder. "Excuse me."
"Yes?", she asks. "Can I help you?"
"No, but I can help you. Honey, that outfit that you're wearing is all wrong." Haley is referrimg to the bright orange mini dress that the blonde is wearing.
"What's wrong with it?"
"You look like a Jersey Shore reject, but Snooki's makeup is not as bad as yours."
"How dare you talk to my friend like that?", blonde number two hisses as she gets in Haley's face.
"I'm just trying to help the girl. While I'm at it, here you go." Haley reaches into her purse and grabs a breath mint that she holds out for the confused girl. "Now I'm helping you with that nasty ass breath of yours. You put the smell of a skunk to shame." Wow. Haley told me that she doesn't have a filter and it's true. Just as I think they may hit her, both of them step back and shake theirs heads before dashing out of the deli. Haley looks at me with a proud smile on her face.
"Haley, that was..", I stammer for words because I honestly don't know what to say about how she stood up to them. "Thank you."
"That's what friends are for Ana. I've been the new kid, and it's not fun. It does get better."
After we've ordered and gotten our food, we walk back to the store. Seeing Haley be so carefree gives me hope. I feel bad about not answering Christian's call so I call him back. I'm not surprised that he answers right away.
"Ana, hey.", he says. "I called you earlier."
"I know. I wasn't up to talking."
"Why? What happened?"
"It's nothing. Don't worry."
"Easier said than done.", he sighs. "Ana, I don't want you closing me off. Please let me in."
"It was nothing Christian. Two girls were just talking about Christian Grey's new girlfriend."
"How did they find out about you?"
"One of the girls has a friend who works for you." I really don't feel up to rehashing the incident with him. "I need to get back to work."
"All right, but we'll talk more later."
The rest of the day is slow. It's been raining, and the dreary weather is making me feel down. When we're finally closed, I grab my purse and await Christian.
"So, have you decided about going out with me?", Haley asks as she turns the lights off. Part of me wants to say I can't, but the other part of me is saying go for it. I need to do this.
"Ok, count me in.", I smile.
"Perfect. I don't plan on being out late. We can leave from here if it's ok with you." Looking down at the black pants and white blouse that I'm wearing, I start thinking maybe I should just go home.
"Maybe I should go out with you some other time. I'm not dressed for going out."
"Ana, you look fine, but if you want to change, it's fine. I can drive you to your place."
"All right. Let me call Christian and let him know." Once again, he answers immediately.
"Hey, baby. I was about to call and tell you that I have a last minute meeting so I'm going to send Taylor to pick you up."
"I was actually calling to tell you that I'm going out with Haley. She's going to drive me to Escala so I can change. Is that ok?"
"Of course. I think it would be good for you."
"I'll see you when I get home."
Haley and I leave the bookstore and head to Escala where I quickly change into a light pink dress and white sandals. Haley is still dressed in the black skirt and red tank that she wore to work. Tonight will be good for me. As we get back into her Prius, I start feeling weird. It's a good feeling though. For the first time since I've been here, I feel calm and relaxed.
"Are you ready?"
"Sure."
Haley starts navigating through the streets as the rain continues to patter down on us.
"I can tell in your eyes that you're scared of all that new shit happening, but in the end, it'll be ok.", she smiles.
"The thing I'm worried about is not fitting in. Christian is a big time CEO who is expected to keep up appearances. The last thing he needs is some country girl on his arm.", I sigh.
"Ana, that guy loves you. Don't doubt that. There's a quote from Alan Cohen, "Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect." You'll get to where you belong. It may be hard sometimes, but it'll be worth it." She pulls into Red Mill Burger Restuarant. "When I first came here, this is where I ate my first meal. You'll love it." After sitting down, we order the Red Mill Burger.
"Haley, this delicious.", I say as we're enjoying our burgers. "We had burgers in Logan but not like this."
"I know. The burger is good right? It's like an orgasm of the mouth.", she laughs.
"Have you met any of Adam's family?"
"I've met his parents and grandparents but that's it. I haven't met Christian's mom yet." That was going to be my next question.
"I hope they like me."
"They will. How could they not?"
"It helps talking to you. Christian's great but I need friends."
"Well, you have one right here. I was thinking about getting another tattoo tonight." The other day, she got a small rose on her lower back. I don't think I'll ever be brave enough to get a tattoo.
When we leave the restaurant, Haley drives to Super Genius Tattoo. The wall is covered with different designs. It's interesting to look at them. The tattoos tell a story. They may have the name of loved one, favorite quotes or something else that defines the person. My phone rings as I'm admiring the pictures. It's Christian.
"Hello Mr. Grey, how are you?"
"Well, I'm fighting to stay awake, but I want to stay up until you get home. I miss you. How's your evening?"
"It's really good. Guess where I am?"
"Hmm, I don't know. Where are you baby?", he asks. I see Haley walking over to get her tattoo started. She's decided on dragonfly on her upper left shoulder.
"A tattoo parlor." I wait for his response, but all I hear is silence. "Christian?"
"I'm here. Please tell me that you're not getting a tattoo?" What if I do? It's my body.
"I hadn't thought about it, but why are you against it?"
"I just can't see you with one. Tattoos aren't my thing."
"See that's the key, your thing. It's my body, and if I want one, I will get one." I start getting defensive about it.
"Fine, do whatever you want. As you said, it's your body, a body that I'm very fond of."
"I don't know if I'm going to get one. I love you."
"Love you too."
On the way home, Haley is laughing at how she thinks Christian's will react to my nody art. "I think Christian is going to like your tattoo.", she giggles.
"I think he will.", I add. Haley pulls up at Escala as I realize that it was a good day and Seattle is not so bad.
"Thank you so much for tonight. I had so much."
"Me too. I don't have a lot of friends so this was good for me as well. You're going to be all right Ana Steele.
When I arrive in the penthouse, I don't see Christian. Heading into the bedroom, I find him curled up asleep. His eyes fly open at the sound of me sitting on the bed next to him.
"You're back already?"
"Yeah. I had a nice evening." His eyes scan my body for signs of a tattoo. It's now or never. "I want to show you something." I stand and raise my dress up to show him the butterfly on my lower right abdomen.
"You really went through it.", he says in disbelief. "It looks good."
"For now." He looks at me, confused. "It'll wear off in a few days. It's a temporary one." He starts laughing as he pulls me into his arms.
"It was a good night?"
"Yeah. I'm starting to think things are going to be ok."