Sorry for any typos in this chapter. I'm feeling under the weather so I didn't proof this like I normally do. I wanted to get you an update though. :-)


Chapter 15

APOV

Today work dragged. I felt horrible with a headache all day and Jack was in a terrible mood. Finally, at 5 Jack comes to me, "Ana, you should go home and start your weekend. There's nothing more to do for the week."

"Oh, thank you, Jack." I get up and start to clean up my desk and gather my things. I take my time getting home since Kate will be out with Elliot and I will be alone.

I get home and go change into yoga pants and a t-shirt and put my hair up in a messy bun. I sit down and start flipping through the channels on TV. The doorbell rings and I answer it confused as to who it could be. I open the door and there stands Christian wearing jeans and a t-shirt and looking sexy as hell.

He smiles at me and holds up a small bag. "Good evening, Anastasia. I was lonely tonight and wondered if you have plans. I hope I'm not intruding."

"Oh, you're not intruding. Come in." I hold the door open and he walks in and now I realize he's holding a scrabble game too. "Can I get you something to drink?"

He sits down at the dining table and starts setting up the scrabble board. "I'll have whatever you're having." I get out the bottle of wine from the fridge and two glasses.

I walk up to him, "I hope this wine is OK. It's not very fancy."

He looks up at me and smiles. "As long as it goes with cupcakes we're golden." He takes a box out of the paper bag opening it to reveal a half dozen cupcakes.

I smile. I think that is the sweetest thing anyone has done. "You brought cupcakes?"

"You don't like cupcakes?"

I sit down at the table across from him. "I love cupcakes. So, you want to play scrabble?"

"Are you scared, Miss Steele?" He smirks at me and raises his eyebrow.

"Oh, not at all, Mr. Grey. I feel bad that you're going to lose scrabble to an English major."

"Then let's play."

Christian and I are laughing and having the best time. We're playing best out of three and we're tied. We ate all the cupcakes and drank two bottles of wine. It's been a long time since I laughed this much. I win the third game with the word 'gherkin'.

"What?! Gherkin? You can't win with that! I demand a rematch!" He can't fool me, he's laughing with me.

"I won fair and square. Don't be a sore loser!" I look up at the clock. It's 1 am. How did it get so late already? "Oh my god, it's already 1. How did that happen?"

"Time flies when you're cheating at scrabble." He looks at me giving me the silliest pout I have ever seen. "But, I'll leave you so you can get some sleep." He looks at me deep in my eyes, his voice is husky and low. "I wouldn't want to make you tired." I get the feeling that he meant something entirely different.

He makes me forget my train of thought so all I can reply is, "OK." He cleans up the board and stands to leave.

He gives me a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for a wonderful evening, Anastasia. I haven't had that much fun...ever. Good night, Ana."

He's already leaving me breathless. "Thank you for coming over, Christian. Have a good night. Be safe going home."

He winks at me. "Always, Anastasia." He turns on his heel and walks to his car without looking back. I watch him until he gets in his car and then I shut the door. I feel like I need a cold shower after that. I still don't know how he does it.

I go to sleep with a smile on my face and dream about letter tiles and cupcakes.

Saturday morning I wake up to an early morning text from Christian.

*Thank you again for an entertaining evening, Miss Steele. I do demand a rematch. You cannot win on the word gherkin.*

I smile at his text.

*I won fair and square. Quit your crying. And thank you for coming over with the game and the cupcakes. I hope you have a good day.*

*I have a family dinner at my parents' so 'good' will be on a sliding scale. I would much prefer spending the time honing my vocabulary.*

* :-P *

*Did you just stick your tongue out at me, Anastasia? How rude! I hope you have a nice day as well. Laters. *

*Laters :-) *

I spend the morning cleaning which is cathartic for me. Then I shower and change, heading to the market for groceries. Since Elliot and Christian have a family dinner tonight I think I'll make something just for Kate and I, maybe Asian lettuce cups with sauteed vegetables. I will also make strawberry shortcake for dessert too. I'm in the mood to cook and bake.

I'm at a produce stand checking out the lettuce and I hear someone call my name. I turn around to see Jack Hyde. "Oh, Jack. Hi."

"You look nice and relaxed today, Ana. Any fun plans for the weekend?"

"Oh, um. Nothing major. My roommate and I are hanging out and cooking dinner."

"What? A gorgeous woman like you doesn't have a date?" Did he just ask that? Feeling uncomfortable I feel myself blush and I just look down at the ground. I'm not even sure how to answer that.

I look at him and plaster a fake smile on my face. "Not tonight. Well, my roommate will wonder what happened to me. I better get back. Bye, Jack. See you on Monday."

"Bye, Anastasia. Have a good weekend." As soon as I pay for my produce I head home, thankful I have all the items I need. I am pretty creeped out by what Jack said. This is one time where I was I had a very big and scary boyfriend so Jack would leave me alone.

Kate comes home a little bit later. "Hey, Ana!"

"Hey, Kate." Kate looks at me studying my face furrowing her brow.

"Ana, what's wrong?"

"I was at the market and my boss kind of hit on me."

"That's so gross. What did you do?"

"I got out of there as quickly as I could. I didn't know what else to do."

"You don't have good luck with men lately," Kate observes seriously until I start to laugh and she cracks up as well. "Seriously, should we have Elliot go to your office and pretend to be a boyfriend?"

"I don't know if I need that just yet but maybe I should keep that idea on the back burner. I wish I knew a guy who is big and scary."

"Me too, Steele. That has me worried."

"I'm sure it'll be fine, Kate. I'm probably being over sensitive." But even as I say the words I can't even convince myself. Something feels wrong here.