(Anastasia POV)

Christian Grey is holding my hand.

Not in a million years would I have predicted this. I was pretty sure that his meeting with me today was to take me over the coals for making such an idiot of myself at our first interview. And the sad part is I didn't care because at least I would get to see him.

And here he is. Looking even better than he did in his office. Does he have his clothes specially made to skim his body just right?! It's distracting. And he doesn't quite seem like the walk in the park type, so I'm suspicious.

And, because my finely tuned detective skills are always right...he admits to not having a meeting?! What?! My heart is pounding and my head is reeling and I am utterly confused.

"You don't have a meeting? What then? Surely you didn't travel three hours to just see...me..."

I chuckle to myself at the notion. Of course he didn't Anastasia. My eyes fall to the ground and I'm suddenly two feet tall, embarrassed that I even suggested it.

"Why is that funny?"

His voice is soft as he reacts to my giggle.

"Look at me."

There's something in his voice that makes me obey. Curious. So I look up at him, trying not to giggle, which becomes much easier once I see the stern look on his face and his steely grey eyes staring at me. I'm left speechless. Again.

"I'm sure there are people in this world who would drive more than three hours just to see you..."

He looks like he's going to say something else but he stops. I want to push him like he did me, but in this moment I don't have the nerve. Did he really drive here just for me? Suddenly the two day long battle with Kate to come by myself is so, so worth it.

He's looking over my shoulder so I follow his gaze.

"Coffee?" he asks just as I realize he is glancing towards the Starbucks across the block.

"I don't drink coffee." I answer before thinking. For God's sake Anastasia, fake it! Think...then speak! He glances back down at me with a slight smirk.

"Really..." he starts as if I just said I don't drink water, "can I buy you breakfast then?"

I already ate. Do I tell him? Do I eat again even though the idea of eating in front of him makes me stomach flip? Uhhhhh...don't blow this.

"I already ate." He looks slightly dejected as I turn down his second offer unknowingly, "but if you're hungry I'd gladly come along."

His face brightens again...well as much as he will let it anyway. He's a tough but to crack.

"No, I ate as well. I thought you looked hungry."

I look hungry? Is that like looking skinny? Or famished? Discolored? I borrowed this deep purple dress from Kate thinking it hung on me in gjust the right way. Maybe it's too big? My curves don't fill it out the way hers do. Stop thinking, Ana.

"Oh." is all I can offer. So eloquent.

"We can just walk then." He is so matter of fact that I can't tell if he's excited or disappointed. He grabs my hand again, soft and forceful at the same time...how does he do that. His fingers graze my skin and I feel the hair on the back of my neck stand. I have to stifle a moan.

What does he do to me?

"So..."

I'm trying desperately to think of something to say.

"So..."

He answers. He won't be any help. He turns to me with a wicked grin.

"Maybe you should have had Miss Kavanaugh give you a list of things to talk about..."

Ouch. I have to think fast. I can't have him thinking Kate is a better conversationalist than I am when he hasn't even met her. I chuckle nervously.

"Well, I guess I'm still trying to figure out why the most powerful CEO on the western seaboard gave up his Friday morning to come dodge dog poop in the park with a struggling college student."

I point to a mess some dog left behind that lays right in front of him only just in time for him to gracefully side step it, tugging me into his side as he does. He's smiling now and it's glorious. He looks...real, all of the sudden. As soon as we narrowly avoid the mess, he turns to me quickly. His arm is still around me and I am silently praying he doesn't take it away.

"Are you struggling?" He asks. He's all business again, his smile is gone and he is legitimately concerned. It's touching. I smile immediately trying to soften him once more.

"No, no. I mean...no more than every college student is."

He loosens, his arm still slung around my waist, but his urgency gone. He cocks his mouth into a half smile once more.

"I remember." He nods along. As if college was a struggle for him or it was all that long ago. But I appreciate his sympathy. We start to walk again.

"Well. I guess the truth is I enjoyed our conversation. I don't usually."

"You don't usually what?"

"Enjoy conversation. With anyone. It's usually a chore. Not with you."

He's looking ahead as he talks and he suddenly pulls his arm from my waist and tucks his hand into his pocket. What? No? Come back.

"Well I'm flattered that my conversation is worth your time."

He looks down at me like he wants to speak again, but doesn't. Ok, I can't let him off the hook that easy.

"What?" I encourage him to speak his mind, being bold enough to shakily step into him. He totters on his heels. Did I just poke through his armor? I step to him again, we are almost touching and he closes his eyes.

Then they are open. As suddenly as they closed. And he's stepping away from me.

"I need to go."

He's all business now and...what did I do?! He takes a step from me and runs his fingers through his hair. I'm shaken.

"I'm sorry did I say something?!" I ask as if the word what could possibly have been that bad. He's reeling and I can't for the life of me guess why.

"No. I just...I remembered something."

He's flustered? This is new.

"I'm sorry. To run off."

"Then don't." I'm pleading. Five minutes? I need more than that. Will I see him again?

"Look, I have to."

Did he just realize how stupid he was to come see me? I'm lost and I feel tears forming behind my eyes...oh please stay hidden back there! I don't know what else to say. He looks just as confused as he starts to walk off and I feel utterly alone. He stops and turns.

"Next Friday. Meet me here again."

It's not a request and I am beginning to feel like I'm losing my mind.

"I'm here now. I don't understand."

That's the understatement of the century.

"Be here then, too."

He tucks his hands neatly into his pockets and moves sleekly across the park as I watch him.

What just happened?!

Christian Grey is as much a mystery in person as his elusive public persona, but damnit...I'm going to figure him out.

I watch him slip sunglasses on as he crosses the street like it's a runway. He never looks back.