"Hello?" I answered my phone after the second time it had ringed.
"Ana, come meet me for drinks before dinner tonight. I have someone I want you to meet!" Kate exclaimed loudly through the phone. I inwardly groaned. I didn't want to meet people. I have explained this to her several times. I just wasn't in a place for a relationship right now. All I need is my sweet Will.. "ANA! And wear that smoking hot black dress with your to die for leather wedges. You promised to start living in the moment on your weekends free." Shit. I did promise her that..
"Fine, I will see you in 30."
I made my way inside the bar that was across the street from where we would be having dinner. I spotted Kate immediately sitting with two gorgeous men. As I made my way over I noticed both men looked at me as if they were going to eat me right there.
"Ana! Guys this is Anastasia Steele. Ana, this is Elliot and Christian Grey." I shook both of their hand and offered my hello. I must admit that both men were extremely handsome. I wonder which one Kate plans on taking home.
"Can I get you something to drink, Ana?" the most handsome man of the two asked. He had the most dreamy grey eyes and beautiful copper hair. I could get lost in those bad boys and would love to run my fingers through his hair. My sub-conscious looked at me as if I had lost my mind. Remember it is just you and Will – you do not need anyone else she sneered.
"Yes please! I'll have whatever Kate is having." I smiled back at the Adonis. Is it possible someone can look as good as he does?
"Ana, I met Elliot today on my way home from work. He owns his own construction company. He invited us for drinks with his brother before we head to dinner" Kate said while only looking at Elliot. Geez, they would be banging later tonight for-sure. Elliot smiled at me and asked what I do. "I teach a forensics/law class over at Seattle U. I used to work for the FBI when I lived in Nashville, but since relocating to Seattle I have enjoyed the laid back environment of being a teacher. Plus I can make my own schedule which is nice."
"What brought you to Seattle from Nashville?" Christian asked. I looked at Kate not really knowing how to answer. No guy wants to hear how you moved for your ex-husbands job and so his child could be closer to him.
"My ex-husband, Kate's brother, was re-located here for his job. He is a doctor over at Seattle Grace." I kept it simple. Kate smiled which told me I had done well or so I thought.
"Ex-husband?" Christian asked with a look I could not place on his face. Maybe he was astonished that I had an ex-husband or maybe he thought it was trashy. Great. "Yeah, we have been divorced almost a year." I answered sweetly.
"Wow, so you two are still friends?" Elliot chimed in while looking between Kate and myself. "Of course! We were best of friends before her and my brother got together in high school. Still best friends now. Just because she isn't married to my brother anymore doesn't mean we are not sisters still." Kate smiled at me which made me feel at ease. Then she threw the whole table for a loop. "Also, she is the mother to my favorite little boy in the whole wide world. So she would have to do a whole lot more than divorce my brother to get rid of me" Well. That sealed my fate with either of these two gentlemen. No one wants to be with someone who has a three year old.
"You have a child? You look so young and innocent." Christian said as if he was confused by Kate's revelation. "Yes I do. He is three. His name is William, but we call him Will for short. He is the best gift I have ever been given." I smiled at them and Elliot asks to see a picture. Easy, his picture is my screensaver on my phone. They all comment how adorable he is, except for Christian. He seems lost by this new theory.
"Christian, what do you do for a living?" I tried to change the subject. He looked genuinely surprised at my question. "I am the CEO and owner of my own company. You don't know who I am?" He asked as if I was crazy. He has an incredibly huge ego on him. "I'm sorry, I don't." I said with a smile that hopefully made him forgive me. "Tell me what it is that you do." He launches into detail what his company does then he lets it slip that he is a billionaire. BILLIONAIRE. Wow. Will and I are not poor by any means, but we are no where close to Christian's status.
The rest of the afternoon went by smoothly. Conversation was great and I could tell I had found great friends in the Grey brothers. It was time for Kate and me to head to dinner. Of course Kate being Kate invites the brothers to join us. I honestly cannot say I am surprised. She was hanging onto Elliot's every word. We arrive at dinner and Christian pulls out my chair for me. We end up on stories about our time at college. Kate has no filter all the sudden. Have we been drinking that much?
"Ana, remember that one time you were incredibly drunk and thought it was sweet to offer the cute police officer on the street your opened alcoholic drink?" Kate says as a burst of laughter fills the table – besides me. This is my least favorite story.
"How could I forget? It was my first time in the back of a police car. Thankfully he knew my dad or I would probably have an arrest record because I am a friendly drunk." I giggle and know that I am not far from being that drunk right now. I feel this heated gaze coming from the side of me and I catch Christian staring at me. "You know it is not polite to stare." I whisper to him. He chuckles and gives me a brilliant smile.
"I didn't mean to stare. I just think you are the most beautiful woman I have ever encountered in my life." He says in a low husky voice. I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks. Dear Jesus Ana, you are blushing! What the hell my sub-conscious berates me.
"What do you like to do for fun Ana?" He asks looking directly into my eyes.
"I love to do anything that my baby boy loves to do, read, be outside. What about yourself Christian?" I ask with such interest.
"I love to fly, sail, workout, and I enjoy time outside myself." I almost didn't hear what he said because I was too entrapped in his gaze. "You should join me sometime." He states and I have to remind myself that he means as friends. Who wants to be with a mom? Certainly not someone who looks like him.
"Haha, we will see about that Mr. Grey." I smirk.
Dinner is lovely and I am craving more of those southern mashed potatoes they served with my meal. I miss the south sometimes. Kate is blabbing on about her job and how she plans to take over Kavanagh Media one day. Elliot seems slightly interested, but I see him drifting his gaze to me a few times. Christian and I are talking about our favorite places we have been when Kate interrupts us.
"Ana, are you coming to brunch with the family tomorrow? Ethan said he was picking you up in the morning. If so I may just stay at your house and he can pick us both up." I immediately feel Christian tense up beside me. I look around thinking someone has upset him, but I only seem him staring at me.
"I don't know if I am going to go tomorrow Kate. You should go spend time with your family and Will." I try to say as sweetly as I can and include my genuine smile so it doesn't hurt her feelings. I love the Kavanagh's. Even after mine and Ethan's divorce, they treated me like I was their daughter still. My dad and Ethan's dad still go fishing and to sporting events together. I just do not want them to feel they have to include me.
"You still hang out with your ex-husband? Are you getting back together with him?" Christian says in a stern voice. I can see his jaw tick and feel a little weird by his question.
"Ethan and I have a great relationship. We are co-parents, but nothing more than that." I say agitated.
"I guess I just do not understand how you can openly hang out with someone who you divorced a year ago? Does he still want you?" He grits out. What. The. Hell. This is why I will probably be alone the rest of my life. People without kids do not understand that you put your child and their well being first. Ethan is a great father and just because we are not together doesn't mean we can't be great co-parents. I stand up and decide to call it a night without answering Christian's questions. I am annoyed and past agitated.
I tell them I am heading out and it was lovely to meet both of them. Kate tells me she is going to stay out a little longer with Elliot, but she would call me on her way home to discuss brunch tomorrow. As I am walking out I hear someone shouting my name over and over. I turn to see Christian jogging to catch up with me.
"Let me take you home. We have had a lot to drink and I have a personal driver who can get us both home safely." He rushes out as if he is nervous.
"I was just going to call a cab, but thank you." I turn back around to make my way outside. He grabs my arm and spins me around.
"I..look..I'm sorry. I was not trying to be rude my any means. I find you incredibly beautiful, funny, and smart. I seemed to become jealous when I thought maybe I had no chance with you. Please let me take you home. It will be free compared to a pricey cab." I nod my head since I am at a loss for words. We walk out where an Audi SUV awaits us. As I climb in the back I notice the man in the front seat. Obviously military and reminds me of Ray.
"Hello, I'm Ana." I say in a charming voice.
"Ana, I am Taylor. I am Mr. Grey's head of security." He smiles at me through the rearview. Christian sees us smiling as he climbs in and tenses again like he did at dinner. Does this guy have jealousy issues or what?
The ride home is quiet and I find that Christian seems nervous to speak while I am not sure what to say after his awkward questions at dinner. We pull into my drive way and I make my way out. Christian walks me to the door.
"Again, I apologize for my rudeness at dinner and please know I am not one who apologizes easily." He smiles a brilliant smile and I cannot help but feel weak at the knees.
"Thank you, apology accepted. I appreciate the ride home." I say as I am turning the key to my house.
"Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night?" Christian rushes out. Why does he seem nervous? Surely he has asked out women before.
"No, thank you for asking though." He looks stunned. Is this the first time someone has said no to him? He looks so sad that I turned him down that I decide to put him out of his misery. "Will will be back home and I do not want him to have to stay with a sitter. Thank you for the ride home Christian." I try to end this conversation before I invite him in to ravish me. He looks too good under this moonlight. Plus, he proved at dinner that he is not someone I need to be involved with in that way.
"Okay, Monday night then?" He does not give up apparently. I decide to just break it to him easily.
"Christian, you seem like a fantastic guy, but I am just not looking for a relationship right now. Also, what you said at dinner proves that maybe dating a divorced woman with a young child might not be the best route for you." I give him a sincere smile and he looks like a young child whose toy was taken from him. Obviously I am the first woman to say no to Christian Grey.
"Okay, well.. okay" He says as he turns around and gets back into the SUV. I walk inside my home and decide it is time for bed. I set the alarms and get my self ready for sleep that is much needed. I find myself thinking of grey eyes and copper hair as I drift into a peaceful slumber.
What do you guys think? Please leave reviews. I am going to try to respond to all of them. As usual, I do not own FSOG.
xElla