Chapter 22
The next couple of weeks went by easily. With her new epiphany in mind, Ana lived every moment in the present and didn't just sit by and idly watch as time went on.
She had met up with Hannah recently who had told her that Hoffman wasn't doing too well lately, and staff members were getting severely stressed out and things were going wild. A lot of lower level staff members were starting to leave due to the uncertainty of their future there and had gotten jobs elsewhere. Hannah said that she'd stay until the very last moment. Her boss had been amazing to her and she couldn't leave him high and dry.
Ana's hopes of getting a job at Hoffman deflated. So far, it had been the only lead for her into publishing and it had just fell through.
She still browsed job websites looking for any openings but there hadn't been much around lately. It's okay, she thought. She was happy where she was, and she wasn't going to rush anything. She wasn't mad about the circumstances.
She had told Christian in passing conversation that Hoffman wasn't doing well, and a contemplative look just appeared on his face and he hummed thoughtfully.
Ana's birthday was on Sunday; she'd be turning 22. Every time she had spoken to Lily lately, she'd sing 'I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 22,' and Kate had gotten wind of it and had also started singing it every so often which then got passed onto Elliot who once he listened to the song, wouldn't shut up.
Ana hadn't wanted to do anything big for her birthday, she was content with just hanging out with her friends but Kate, Elliot and Mia had all ganged up on her and told her that she only turned 22 once, to which Ana had said that she turns every age once so that argument didn't make sense but they were all relentless and she agreed to go with whatever they planned.
This weekend was going to be spent celebrating with her friends and then next weekend, she was going to drive to Montesano to spend the weekend with her dad. They hadn't seen each other since graduation and Ana missed home.
She didn't really mention her birthday at all. It was no big deal. It never had been. She was pretty sure no one at work but Jose, knew and she wanted to keep it that way.
It was Saturday and dinner was booked for Ana's favourite place. It wasn't anything fancy where you needed to dress up, jeans were totally acceptable to go in. She was going with Emily, Mia, Kate and Elliot.
Elliot said that they had to get drunk for her birthday or at the very least, tipsy so none of them were driving.
After getting ready, Elliot, Kate and Ana took a taxi to the restaurant and met the others. It was pretty packed considering it was a Saturday night, so they were glad they'd reserved a table beforehand.
They spent the night talking, laughing, going from tipsy to drunk – but not drunk enough to get kicked out – eating as much food as they could stomach, and going through all the different types of margherita's available. One of them must have tipped off the waiters that it was Ana's birthday as towards the end of their meal, a bunch of them came out with a dessert platter with a sparkler and candles on, singing happy birthday to her and the rest of the people in the restaurant joined in too. That might have been because Elliot was singing at the top of his lungs and dramatically waving for everyone else to join in.
Ana had felt her cheeks warm but shockingly she didn't blush from head to toe as she usually would have. No one ever knew what to do when people were singing happy birthday to them, so Ana had just laughed and revelled in the moment as she tried to be as gracious as possible with all the attention on her.
This was how she wanted to celebrate. She didn't need any parties or big public displays; this was enough. And would always be enough.
Mia was filming it on her phone and Ana grinned when the flashed the camera at her. The plate was settled down in front of her as they all finished the song.
"Make a wish!" Came a bunch of shouts.
Ana looked around at the smiling faces of her friends. She didn't really have much to wish for, but she held her hair behind her ears and closed her eyes before opening them and blowing the candles out as everyone cheered.
They all shared the dessert between them, and they got drinks and a bottle of wine sent to their table by some other very generous patrons.
By the end of the night, after going through all the margherita's between them, they were all quite drunk. But they were young and celebrating so they enjoyed every moment.
Stumbling outside the restaurant as they all waited for cabs to take them home, Ana drunkenly pulled all of them into a group hug.
"Thank…. you guys. I….frickin'… love all of you!" She exclaimed, hiccupping in between words. The others exclaimed similar declarations of love.
Mia and Emily took a cab and the other three took a separate one as Elliot decided to stay over at their apartment.
The next morning, Elliot and Kate lay in bed, hungover and tired because they woke earlier than they'd have liked. Ana must have still been asleep since there was no movement or sounds coming from the apartment.
"I have an idea," Elliot mumbled, cheek on the pillow and hair a wild mess but his eyes were alight.
"Hmm..?" Kate replied, wanting to go back to sleep.
"Ana and Chris have gotten so much closer since New York, right? Well how much do you want to bet that she didn't tell him about her birthday? I would bet all I have on it."
A muffled snort came from Kate. "No you're right. She never tells anybody."
"Mhm. So, should I do a little…something something and get them together today? Put them in the same room and then see where they go from there? I have faith in those two and it might be a step in the right direction," Elliot mused.
Kate mirrored his position facing him with a contemplative look in her eyes. "I think you should. I was trying to think of ways to let Christian know about Ana's birthday. I think he'd want to know."
After New York, Kate had gotten Ana's point of view on things and Elliot had gotten Christian's perspective. It was so obvious how much closer they had gotten with each other, falling asleep on one another and hanging out in the park together. Ana still hadn't confessed to her feelings but there was a twinkle in her eye whenever she talked about him and Kate had hope.
Christian on the other hand was very well aware of his own feelings. He told Elliot about how he thought Ana was changing him and how he just always wanted to be around her. Elliot had grinned through the whole storytelling and had slapped Christian on the back out of glee.
He then proceeded to punch Christian in the arm a few times and when Christian asked why he was doing that, Elliot told him that he should have kissed her after the night at the bar. Christian had gone silent, thinking about the what ifs and should haves.
Elliot grabbed his phone and texted Christian to come and pick him up from a friend's house, telling him he was severely hungover, didn't have his car and didn't have any clean clothes.
'From where?' Chris texted.
Elliot just sent him the address of Kate and Ana's apartment and hoped he didn't recognise Ana's address from when he picked her up for the charity ball a month ago.
'Be there soon.'
"Okay. Operation get Chris here is in motion. Now don't move. Ana can't know that we're awake," Elliot said.
"That will be no problem at all. I physically can't move from this bed anyway," Kate groaned, stretching.
Twenty minutes later, Christian arrived at the apartment complex. He thought it looked familiar, but he couldn't place where he recognised it from. Elliot often had to get picked up from friends' houses but this time it was surprising because since he'd met Kate, he hadn't really had many wild nights out with his friends, but regardless Christian would always pick him up the next morning.
Walking up the steps and standing in front of the door; he was hit with a sense of déjà vu. This was Ana's apartment building and he was pretty sure this was Ana's door. He thought he remembered it from when he picked her up for the gala.
Stepping to the side, he pulled his phone out to text Elliot. Elliot had said a friends' house so why was he at Ana and Kate's door? Why didn't he say he was at Kate's and why didn't he just ask Kate or Ana to drop him off?
'Elliot is this Ana and Kate's apartment?' Christian texted.
He could be wrong. Maybe Ana and Kate lived a floor above or below, Christian wasn't 100% sure; he'd been a little distracted that night. He could be getting doorways mixed up but then again if Elliot's friend did live in the same building as Kate then why didn't he just go to their apartment to get a ride? So many questions were running through Christian's head and they would most likely go unanswered because there was no way Elliot was ever going to explain.
He was in a bit of a panic now thinking this was Ana's home. While he and Ana had gotten much closer since NY, he still felt awkward just rocking up to her door. It felt like a violation. In the back of his mind, Christian knew that when it came to Ana his thoughts and worries tended to go to the extreme, but he couldn't help it.
Ten minutes later, there was still no reply from Elliot and Christian even tried calling him but alas no answer. Either he'd fallen asleep or was just ignoring him.
To any passerby he probably looked very suspicious, loitering around someone's door, but luckily only one person had walked past him. In hindsight, he could have asked them if Ana and Kate lived here but he didn't think of that at the time.
Before someone could report him, he should probably just suck it up and knock. He might as well try since he came all the way here and if he didn't Elliot would just keep bugging him anyway. If this was Ana's apartment, he hoped to god that she didn't answer and maybe she was asleep or out. And then he'd kill Elliot for doing this to him.
He wouldn't mind seeing Ana but under these circumstances, it just felt wrong.
Taking a deep breath and praying that this was Elliot's friend's house, he knocked.
Ana had woken up a few minutes ago after she heard something heavy drop to the floor in Kate's room, but she still hadn't opened her eyes since she was trying to get back to sleep, stuffing her face further into the pillow.
She'd woken up hungover and achy and wanted to sleep the day away, totally forgetting about her birthday.
She was drifting off until her ears perked up when someone knocked on the front door. She wasn't sure if she'd actually heard it or not since it was a quiet knock and timid but then she heard it again. She waited for Elliot or Kate to get up and answer but she heard no movement from their room.
That was strange considering a sound from that room had woken Ana up in the first place. Ana chalked it up to maybe a book falling to the floor or something like that. Those two slept like the dead anyway so Ana resigned herself and threw her covers back. Who would be knocking this early on a Sunday anyway?
Yawning and scratching her head, she opened the door, squinting at whoever was on the other side.
For a second she was sure she was hallucinating. This hangover was really getting the best of her. She rapidly rubbed her eyes to try and clear her vision as she peered at the other person's face.
"Ana!" He exclaimed.
"Christian?" Ana croaked at the same time, absolutely baffled, voice still laden with sleep.
Christian on the other hand was slapping himself for what he said. Of course, it was Ana.
But he wasn't expecting this. When she'd opened the door, all thoughts flew out of Christian's head.
She had very obviously just woken up. She was so sleep-rumpled. Dressed in a tank and some sleep shorts, hair an absolute mess, she looked so beautiful. His breath left him in woosh, and he couldn't help but rake his eyes over her. She was still rubbing her eyes when he did so, so he hoped she didn't notice him checking her out. When she removed her hands from her face, Christian spied pillow lines on her cheek that told him that she had been in a very deep sleep and he almost felt bad for waking her.
The ghost of a smile laced his lips when she croaked his name out.
"It's me. I'm sorry I might have the wrong house. Elliot texted me to pick him up at this address but he- "Christian said.
"No, he's here," Ana mumbled still not fully awake, before clearing her throat. She looked at him through bleary eyes still squinting slightly against the light from the hallway windows. He looked so awake and put together for a Sunday morning. She took a deep breath in and smelled his cologne. "Come in." She opened the door wider for him.
He looked at her hesitantly for a minute before slowly walking past her into her apartment.
Ana shut the door slowly and turned around to see Christian just standing in the middle of the hallway, looking at her.
It finally hit her. Christian was in her apartment and she was hungover in her pyjamas, looking like a hot mess. She panicked momentarily before she ran her hand through her hair trying to make herself a little more presentable. He'd seen her now anyway.
"Uhh… take a seat," she gestured towards the couch as she quickly walked to the kitchen.
She poured herself a glass of water as she watched him gingerly take a seat and look around. Gulping the whole glass down, she looked for some Tylenol to help ease her headache.
"Elliot!" She shouted. She wasn't going to go to their room; who knows what state she would find them in.
"Coming!" Came a muffled shout.
Ana took the meds as she met Christian's eyes again. He was watching her. She looked down in embarrassment. "He'll be right out. Do you want a drink?" She asked as she walked past him to the windows to open the curtains.
"Coffee? But it's okay you don't have to, you look really tired," he said.
"Coffee coming right up. You actually woke me up so please excuse my appearance. I didn't know we were expecting anyone," she said, walking back to the kitchen.
"Don't worry about it. it's your home, dress as you please. Although I'd be more concerned if you wore jeans and a full-on outfit while hanging around at home. That is… sociopathic behaviour," he said.
Ana chuckled. "No, I don't but I do look better than this."
"You look lovely Ana. It doesn't matter what you wear," he said sincerely walking up to the breakfast bar to stand opposite her.
Ana met his eyes quickly in surprise while a blush overtook her cheeks. She had to look down at the counter. "Thanks," she smiled embarrassed.
He smiled back also slightly embarrassed. He leant his back against the bar and looked around the apartment before spotting the two big silver 'two' balloons in the corner.
"Twenty-two? Whose birthday is it?" He asked, not turning around.
A beat before Ana replied. "That would be mine, actually," she confessed quietly.
He whirled around to face her, his eyes wide with surprise. "It's your birthday today?" His voice rose an octave.
"Yep. Big 22 today." She said wryly with an upturn of her lips.
He opened and closed his mouth a few times. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Ana shook her head once. "It's nothing. It's not a big deal."
"It's your birthday," he stated in an obvious voice.
"Comes around every year. Don't take it personally; I didn't tell anyone. Not even Andrea." Ana couldn't look at him for some reason.
"It's still a special day even if it comes around every year Ana. It's still a big deal," he said softly. He wasn't going to say it out loud, but he was slightly wounded that she didn't tell him. He thought they were closer than that but no matter, he didn't dwell on it.
Ana was giving his coffee a stir when he came around the breakfast bar to stand by her. She held the mug and turned to give it to him. "Here's your coffee. Just the way you like it."
He put a hand on hers to hold the mug which Ana's eyes were on, but they flew up when he leaned in and kissed her cheek softly. Both of their hands were still on the mug which Ana was grateful for because otherwise she would have dropped it. Her stomach was doing flip flops.
Her mouth was slightly agape. He was looking at her with a smouldering look in his eyes and didn't step away. "Happy birthday Anastasia," he said close to her ear. She shivered as his breath touched her skin.
As he stepped back taking his cup with him, Ana met his eyes with wide ones of her own as her arms flopped back down to her sides.
"A little birthday present until I can get you a real present," he said.
She shook herself out of the daze that he had put her in and smiled at him. "Thanks Christian." She put a hand on the cheek he'd kissed. She could feel the heat radiating off of it.
He grinned back at her as he took a sip of his coffee.
He came to stand opposite her leaning against the kitchen counter. She crossed her arms and leaned on the bar behind her.
"You were the first person to say happy birthday to me" she said with a light grin.
His brows rose. "Was I? Well I'm happy to be the first. Makes it even more special," he grinned boyishly, looking satisfied with himself.
"I haven't seen anyone else this morning since you woke me up," she smirked.
"It's nearly noon. Was this a birthday lie in or something?" He asked curiously.
"We actually went out last night and got a little drunk so we're all slightly hungover."
"Oh. A little pre celebration never hurt right? Hope you didn't do any damage to the town Ana. I've seen you tipsy, god knows what you're like drunk," he said in a mock serious voice but the smirk on his lips gave him away.
She laughed. "Shut up. I'm not bad at all. I think I'm quite a pleasant drunk. I want to see what you're like when you're drunk." He gave her a mysterious look. "Or I can just ask Elliot. I'm sure he's full of stories to tell," she said knowingly.
"Guess you'll just have to get me drunk Miss Steele. Elliot's usually more out of it than I ever am to remember anything so good luck there," he laughed as she chuckled lightly.
"Hey you don't have-"Ana said after a pause but she got interrupted.
"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Ana, happy birthday to you! Hip hip hooray!"
Ana twirled around in surprise as Christian did the same, to see Kate and Elliot still dressed in their pyjamas walk around the corner heading for her, looking like they've just rolled out of bed with a tray of cupcakes in their hands, some of them adorning lit candles. Both of their eyes darted between Ana and Christian.
"Oh my god!" Ana laughed.
Kate had a couple of colourful balloons tied to her hands which floated behind them. Christian joined in halfway and when Ana glanced at him, he had a big grin on his face as he watched her.
They reached Ana and Elliot produced a party blower from somewhere and blew it like there was no tomorrow. Ana could feel Christian standing slightly behind her, his arm brushing her shoulder and back every so often.
Ana held her hair back as she leaned down and blew out the three candles while the others clapped and cheered; Christian being the loudest. It was like last night all over again but Christian was here and this time it seemed like it meant more to her.
Christian was beaming at the whole spectacle. The happiness was radiating from all of them. Each still dressed in their pyjamas looking sleep rumpled with their hair a mess, but they were so happy. He was reminded again about how the most special moments in life don't happen in big flashy moments, but rather during the more ordinary moments. A lesson which Ana had taught him.
Elliot placed the tray on the counter before picking one up and holding it to Ana's mouth.
She looked at him with a suspicious look but leaned forward to take a timid bite anyway. Elliot being Elliot smeared the frosting all over her mouth. Ana shrieked while Elliot doubled over in laughter.
The frosting was all over the lower half of her face now. "Elliot!" She exclaimed waving her hands frantically at him, trying to keep him away. She took a step back right into Christian but that was the least of her worries right now. "I'm going to kill you!" She shouted.
"Oh, come on Ana. it's just a little birthday love," Elliot said eating the rest of the cupcake.
"I'm surprised you didn't see that coming to be honest," Kate wondered with an exasperated look towards Elliot.
"I was a little distracted," Ana muttered wiping at the icing. She licked what she could around her mouth but she was still covered.
"I think you look cute," Christian said with a smirk on his face. Ana looked up at him with a disbelieving look and his smirk turned into small grin. "You even have some on your nose." He bought a finger up to her nose, swiping at the icing.
His smile was infectious and reluctantly her lips turned up as she shook her head slightly. "This isn't funny." Her smile betrayed her voice.
They were broken out of their little bubble at the flash of a camera. They both turned to see Kate holding a disposable camera.
"What? It's your birthday. We've gotta document it," Kate said obviously when they flashed her incredulous looks.
Ana turned towards Elliot who was now peeling away at a second cupcake. "I'm gonna get you for that. Better watch your back Grey," she said giving him the stink eye as she grabbed some kitchen towels to wipe her face.
Elliot just winked at her, not looking the slightest bit frightened. Kate snatched the tray of cupcakes away from him. There were only three left now and she offered one to Ana and Christian. "You better take one now before he devours them all."
They toasted to Ana's birthday with their cupcakes but the three of them put theirs down on the counter after taking one bite. They didn't want to eat a sugary cupcake just yet. And then out of nowhere, Kate bought Ana into a bone crushing hug. Christian stepped a little out of the way giving them some space.
"Happy birthday Ana. I love you," Kate said softly. Ana's confused look melted away at her words and she smiled, hugging her back just as tightly. Kate wasn't often one for a display of emotion so when they did happen, you appreciated them for all they were worth.
"Thanks Katie. I love you too," Ana said just as softly.
Christian watched them hug but he was more focused on Ana's face. She had closed her eyes now but when Kate had uttered those words, her eyes had literally just melted and there was a thankfulness shining in them that made her eyes twinkle. He glanced at Elliot, standing beside him who was also just watching them with a sombre look on his face.
Elliot walked over as the girls detached themselves from each other. He'd finished his cupcake now and was holding his hands out in surrender as Ana watched him through narrow eyes as he got closer. Before she could say anything he pulled her into a hug of his own, her face going straight into his chest.
"Happy birthday Ana banan," Elliot said with a smile as he looked down at her. His demeanour had done a complete 180 and it was sort of weird to see Elliot like this.
"Thanks, Lelliot," came Ana's muffled response. Christian saw Kate snap a picture of them from the corner of his eye but didn't look away from them. These moments may not look like much but the love and friendship between these three was so evident, it was almost palpable, and Christian found himself being envious of their bond.
They pulled apart and Elliot had to ruin the moment by ruffling her hair while she slapped his hands away, grumbling.
Kate and Elliot then turned their eyes to him expectantly. They'd given Ana her birthday hugs and now it was his turn. Ana blushed behind Elliot.
"Hey, I already said happy birthday. I was the first one actually," Christian said proudly.
"Well that's all good and well but you need to give her a hug," Elliot said expectantly.
Christian thought about mentioning to them how he had given her a kiss on the cheek but thought that he better not mention that to them and just keep that moment between him and Ana.
Ana on the other hand started to protest. "Elliot he doesn't have-"she was cut off as Christian took a large stride towards her and pulled her into his arms.
They could hear Elliot quietly laughing to himself. Ana's heart started to race, and she hoped that he couldn't feel just how fast it was beating through her thin top. He smelled good and she couldn't help but inhale his scent. She on the other hand probably smelt like frosting but he had his arms wrapped around her tightly and she wasn't just going to let this moment pass by her by worrying about what she smelled like.
"Happy birthday Ana. Again," he said into her hair. Ana could hear the smile in his voice, and she chuckled quietly. They were indulging the other two, but it still felt good.
They saw the flash of Kate's camera a few times but ignored her as they both just enjoyed being in the other's arms.
They reluctantly pulled apart after a minute and Ana grinned at him in thanks. He made a move to ruffle her hair, but Ana was quick to grab his wrist. "Don't you dare Grey," she said in mock seriousness.
Christian grinned at her impishly, literally caught red-handed.
"Yeah baby brother. Only I, the greater Grey, can get away with that," Elliot said in an off posh accent.
Ana gave him the stink eye again. "Shut up Elliot. You haven't gotten away with anything."
Elliot laughed as he turned around to pour himself some coffee while Kate walked back to her room, texting on her phone.
Christian was nibbling on his cupcake and next to him Ana was leaning against the bar with her arms crossed, deep in thought. Christian turned to Elliot after a minute as he remembered something.
"Elliot why did you say you were at a 'friends' house and not just say you were at Ana and Kate's?" Christian asked him. That snapped Ana out of whatever daydream she was in and she too gave Elliot a curious look waiting for his answer.
Elliot didn't turn around straight away, he just kept stirring his coffee before huffing a little laugh. "Ha ha ha," he laughed disjointly. Christian knew straight away that Elliot was aware that he knew what he was up to and he was probably going to come out with a bullshit answer. Elliot turned around slowly with his cup in his hand. "Yeah. I don't know bro. I must have just been really sleep deprived and out of it when I messaged you. This hangover has really gotten the best of me," Elliot said dramatically, rubbing the back of his head.
"Not that I don't want to be here but why didn't you ask Ana or Kate to drop you off?" He asked, flashing a quick glance to Ana.
"Hmmmm, now that you mention it…" Elliot muttered putting on a serious display of looking up as he pondered the question. Christian saw right through him. They heard Kate shout for him. "Oh gotta go," he dashed off.
Christian looked at Ana and made a show of rolling his eyes at Elliot's back. Ana smiled. "He's so full of it."
Ana just nodded, amused. "So, you have any big plans for today?"
"I didn't want to do anything big so we're going to spend the day having a picnic at the park. I'm happy as long as I'm with my friends," Ana shrugged.
Behind Ana, Elliot and Kate were leaning against the threshold of the door to her room, eavesdropping on their conversation. They were hoping that Ana invited Christian herself and they didn't have to go and help her along.
"If it's anything like the last time you went and the stories that I heard, it's going to be a great way to spend your birthday," Christian said lightly, sipping his lukewarm coffee.
"I hope so," she paused. Elliot and Kate held their breath, waiting for her to say the words. "Do you… want to come along with us?" She said hesitantly. She wanted him there but the awkwardness she was feeling at asking him was off the charts. It felt like she was asking him out on a date.
Christian's eyes widened fractionally. "I…" he started off.
"I mean if you don't have other plans of course. It's totally okay if you do. I won't be offended or whatever. It's your life. I'm sorry I totally just assumed didn't I-"she rambled.
"Ana," he spoke her name firmly, putting a hand on her shoulder to stop her rambling. "I don't have any plans, but don't you want to just hang out with your friends? Wouldn't I be intruding?" He said worriedly. He wanted to go but not if she was just asking him out of obligation or just to be polite.
Behind them, Elliot and Kate simultaneously rolled their eyes.
"I want you to come. You're my friend just as much as everyone else. There's no way you'd be intruding, and you've met everyone anyway, so you won't be a stranger," she said firmly.
Christian searched her eyes for something, but he couldn't deny the relief he felt when she said that she wanted him there. "Okay," he smiled in gratitude. Who could have predicted this turn of events?
Ana returned his smile, glad that he agreed to come. "Great!" She exclaimed, overjoyed that he had agreed. She wanted to spend time with him outside of work and she would take what she could get. They both startled when they heard a muffled squeal come from Kate's room. "God knows what they're doing in there," Ana grimaced.
"I don't want to know," Christian cringed.
"Okay. I should probably go get ready. I can't believe I still look like this in front of you," Ana muttered, looking down at herself.
"I'm not sure if I should wait for Elliot or not." Christian felt awkward now.
"Hey bro." Speak of the devil. "Will you wait five minutes for me? I gotta go back to my apartment for a change of clothes."
Christian nodded as he took a seat on the couch again. Elliot disappeared and Ana let Christian know of the time and place before also retreating to her room.
In the living room alone, Christian couldn't help but grin to himself. It was Sunday and they did have family dinner today, but Christian assumed Elliot and Mia had already gotten out of it for Ana's birthday, so he called his mom while waiting for Elliot. Thankfully his parents weren't annoyed at all that their kids were ditching them. In fact, his mom had said that it would be nice to have dinner by themselves today and she seemed excited at the prospect.
Grace knew it was Ana's birthday today but when Christian had said that he was going along with them to celebrate, she had gone quiet and just uttered a simple yet surprised "oh." She seemed like she was more excited for Christian though which was oddly reassuring, and she had spent a few minutes gushing about what an amazing young woman Ana was. She ended the phone call telling Christian to tell Ana happy birthday from her and wishing her a marvellous day.
An hour later, Kate dragged Ana to a local café for some greasy breakfast to help with their hangovers and Mia came along. They caught up on their mornings and Mia's mouth dropped open and stayed open for a solid minute when Ana told her that she had invited Christian to come along.
Mia shocked that she'd invited Christian wanted the whole story so Ana told her about her morning of waking up to Christian at the door and everything that happened after that. After she had finished telling her everything, Mia had speculative look on her face as she examined Ana's face.
"What?" Ana said with a mouthful of toast.
Mia shook her head. "Nothing, everything's fine. In fact, it's amazing," she smiled to herself like she was privy to some information that Ana wasn't.
Ana flashed her a dubious look but left it there. While Ana was focused on her food, Mia flashed Kate an inquiring look and Kate just nodded her head slightly and smirked.
Mia paid for brunch and they went off in their own directions but not before Mia told Ana to wear her best clothes and that jeans won't cut it.
