A/N: Sorry, peeps, that I didn't get to read your reviews from the last update but I will soon. I've been trying to get back to this story but it's been difficult for some reason. Right now I'm doing my best to finish both FF stories so I can finally get back to my novel that I started, like, three years ago. Thanks for your patience, by the way.
Chapter 21
Two major things happen by New Year's Eve. The first one is that Hans' visa came through six days before and the three Rehnquists arrive in the U.S. in time to ring in the new year. The second momentous occasion is that Kate convinces me to go out on the town with her to celebrate and I decide to take Hans as my date.
Kate's father had purchased a block of ten seats to a charity event being held at the hottest ticket in Seattle, a new fusion restaurant whose chef has been lauded the world over. Since Mr. K only needed four, he had an extra six so he invited me and allowed me a guest, too. Kate was beyond thrilled when I told her Hans was coming. I have a sneaking suspicion she's going to like him… but then again, Kate likes any young, hot man. Go figure.
Kent and Jared are away for the holidays and I miss them but we've been so busy at work that I've barely had time to sleep much less be lonely. Peter told me last week that he's been so impressed by my work ethic that he's considering me for the next management position. Though I never envisioned myself working in radio, I find I'm tremendously enjoying the atmosphere and meeting all these cool, interesting people.
Intending to treat myself to a new dress for the fundraiser, Minx and I go shopping. Kate joins us midday and as I knew it, the two women hit it off so well—it's as if they've been friends forever. Unfortunately, they join forces to gang up on me and impel me to buy a dress I would never have purchased otherwise.
It's black velvet and fits like a glove—almost indecently so. The décolletage plunges nearly to my navel—okay, I'm exaggerating a tiny bit, but it's very low and the hem has a slit up the thigh. With very high heels, the dress will be stunning—even I have to admit. I have the perfect pair at home but Kate insists I look around for a new pair, just in case more perfect ones pop up. Luckily for me, that never happens, and the $200-plus stays in my bank account.
When I see Hans dressed for the evening, I nearly swoon. He is seriously good-looking, for sure. As pretty as he is, I feel guilty going with him because I'm not romantically inclined toward him anymore. I fear my dark-haired beauty has ruined me for anyone else. As soon as he darts into my head, I shove him out. No, no, and no. I will not let that ghost ruin my night tonight. I'll have fun if it's the last freaking thing I do.
Now that Hans is safely in the U.S., I'm free to pursue the annulment, which I plan to do right away. Even though his visa is temporary, he can't expect me to stay married to him until he obtains permanent residency—that could take years. It's a conversation we've yet to have but I'm firm about my position. I do still have a lot of affection for him and his family but enough is enough. Still, it's fun being on the arm of possibly the best-looking man in the room. We'll see.
We arrive at the restaurant right on time and it's impressive. Done in a strange greenish wood—sustainable, no doubt—and iron, the interior is industrial chic taken to a new level. The infrastructure is exposed; the walls are either the wood or gunmetal textured paint, with iron and glass light fixtures. The floors are dark cement, polished to a mirror-like sheen. Candlelight bounces off all the mirrored surfaces and the only color in the cavernous room comes from the orchids that grace all of the white linen tables. Wow, so pretty.
The proceeds from the fundraising tonight will go to at-risk children in the greater Seattle area. It's a cause that's near and dear to Kate's parents' hearts since they adopted one of those children twenty years ago—Kate's younger brother Evan. Born to a teenaged runaway, he'd been so neglected that at a year old he weighed barely fifteen pounds. Ever since then, the Kavanaughs have supported this group that paired them with their son.
I can't help but think of Christian's admission to me the last time I saw him. He'd told me how his mother never loved him, how he'd suffered as a young child… benign neglect could be just as hurtful as any other kind, I suppose. I wonder why—or how—she couldn't love him? He had to be a very lovable child and the instant the thought enters my brain, I see an image in my head of what a very young Christian must have looked like. Thin, lanky, with a mop of dark curls and big gray-blue eyes. How could any mother not love him? It makes me want to weep for that little boy starved for maternal affection.
The evening begins with a cocktail reception where guests can peruse the auction lots and submit closed bids. I see a rose-gold vintage watch I really like so I write in a bid for it and Hans submits one for a small Japanese watercolor. Some of the items are in the multiple-thousand-dollar range, for trips and sporting equipment.
When I spot Kate and Elliot, I wave them over. They'd taken a brief break from each other, but couldn't stay apart for very long. I have a feeling it's the real thing for both of them and that makes me both elated for Kate and sad for me, for I know I'll lose her soon. It also makes things just a bit icky for me when I'm around them because I don't want to hear anything about his brother and I don't want his brother hearing anything about me. As the happy pair come bouncing over, I plaster a giant smile on my face.
"Ana! I told you the dress would be perfect. You look stunning." She turns to Elliot. "Doesn't she look stunning?" He nods eagerly, a giant smile on his face.
"Kate! Stop forcing Elliot to give me compliments. Kate, this is Hans Rehnquist, my, er, husband." When I say that I can feel my cheeks go hot as coals. "Hans, this is my best friend, Kate Kavanaugh." Elliot comes in closer so I introduce him, as well. "Elliot, Hans Rehnquist. Hans, Elliot Grey." The men shake hands and murmur greetings.
"Well," says Kate, clapping her hands, "I think we should go inside and claim our seats, don't you?"
"Sure," I say, linking my arm through Hans' and following my friend. Just before we enter the dining room, Kate leans back and speaks into my ear, "Just so you know, Ana, Christian is here tonight."
Four little words and they turn my world upside down. Christian is here tonight. I want to run out but I don't know how to do it without making a spectacle of myself. The last thing I want to do is see my beautiful man with another woman—in the flesh. Seeing it in photos is painful enough. It might just kill me. I come to an abrupt halt, the people behind us nearly spill their drinks as they stop short, too. I turn to Hans, shaky and desperate now.
"Hans, I'm feeling ill all of a sudden. Would you terribly mind it if we leave now? I truly am sorry."
He looks somewhat astonished. "Not at all, Ana. If you're ill, then we must leave."
Meanwhile, Kate has turned and seen I'm no longer behind her. She scans the room and spots me. I watch as she whispers something to Elliot and then she comes charging toward me. Oh, no. Can this night get any worse?
When she reaches us she grasps my elbow, pulling me slightly away from Hans. "Ana, you're coming in."
"No, Kate, I'm not. I don't want to see him… especially with another woman."
Her eyes narrow to slits. "You're with another man. Your husband, no less. I mean, come on."
I shake my head, tears spilling from my eyes. Hans notices and a look of alarm crosses his face. "Tell me what's going on." His voice is steady but a hint of anger laces his tone.
Kate is kind enough to answer for me. "Her ex is here and she doesn't want to see him."
Hans' eyes widen. "So you're not ill then? Come, Ana, we are going in."
"No," I choke out. "I'm leaving."
"You are not leaving, Ana." Kate says, rapid-fire. "You're going to man up, so to speak, and walk in there now. Let Christian see what he's missing. Now come on."
Elliot makes his way back to us. "What's going on?" he asks innocently.
"Nothing much," Kate answers him. "I'll be right in, sweet meat. Go in and wait for me."
Elliot's eyes hone in on me. "If this has anything to do with my brother, he just called my parents and told them he won't be able to make it tonight."
Kate caresses his cheek. "Perfect. C'mon, Ana. Dinner is about to be served."
I make a quick swipe at my drippy eyes, take a deep breath, and follow behind Kate and Elliot, leaving a confused Hans in my wake. He catches up quickly and we find our table. Elliot is seated with us and the rest of his family is at their own table across the big room. The restaurant has arranged the seating to circle around an open center to allow for dancing after dinner and the auction so the Greys are at the opposite side of the room. I try not to look but my eyes are drawn there and I spot his parents, his sister Mia, and a younger boy. That must be Zander, I realize and wish I could meet him. Right behind that thought I realize that it would be too awkward to have a conversation with any of the Greys… Elliot is the exception, of course, but only because I cannot avoid him. He and I have come to an uneasy truce in that we stick to very general topics whenever we're forced into each other's company. Therefore, Elliot has no idea that my escort for tonight is none other than my husband. That is, until Hans proudly tells him.
We'd just been served the fruit and salad portion of the meal when Hans asked Kate how she and Elliot met.
"Ana was dating my brother," Elliot replies for Kate. "They were at my parents' house when I came in and saw the most beautiful woman on earth, well, the two most beautiful women, I should say…" he adds diplomatically and then shrugs. "One look is all it took." He smiles at Kate.
Hans is staring at Elliot and not in a friendly way. "So your brother was dating my wife?"
"Your what?"
"Wife. Didn't Ana ever tell you? We've been married for four years now."
I guess Elliot wasn't paying attention before when I introduced them—too busy eye-fucking Kate, no doubt. Speaking of eyes, if they could actually pop out of heads, Elliot's would be rolling on the floor right about now. His mouth drops open and his eyes swivel from Hans to me to Kate as if seeking confirmation. Kate jumps in to explain.
"It wasn't a real marriage, Elliot, and Ana thought it was annulled long ago."
"It was a real marriage for me, Kate," Hans says solemnly, squeezing my hand. Right now I could use a big rock to crawl under. I can sense that Hans is getting pissed—after all, he was sort of blindsided tonight with the ghost of my recent past—and Elliot looks annoyed as well. Almost instantly the two men become adversarial and it's like watching birds puff out their feathers to look more menacing when confronted with another alpha.
The waiters bring out the main course and all of us turn our attention to eating, only occasionally making an inane comment. As soon as the plates are cleared and desserts are being brought out, the dance floor opens as the organizers arrange to begin the auction.
As I sit wondering how soon I can gracefully make my exit tonight, someone taps me on the shoulder. I look up to see Carrick Grey smiling down at me. "Ana? May I have this dance?"
"Um…" I stammer, wondering how to get out of it but there's no way I can so I miserably give him my hand and he gently pulls me to my feet. Before I look away I see a scowl on Hans' face and he leans in to say something to Kate, no doubt to ask with whom I'm dancing. The small five-piece band is playing standards as we step out onto the dance floor. I'm not a great dancer and I sincerely hope Mr. Grey is a strong lead.
He is, thank goodness, and as we move around the floor with the other intrepid couples, I actually begin to enjoy myself. That is, until he begins to talk about his son.
"I know I'm probably overstepping my boundaries here but I wonder if you might tell me what happened between you and Christian?"
"What do you mean? We just stopped seeing each other."
"Nothing happened to precipitate it?"
My face is on fire now. "Nothing really. It was just…"
"Just?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Grey. I'm not comfortable discussing this with you. I hope you'll forgive me."
"I realize it's a personal subject but I ask because I love my son and he's been miserable since you two parted. Did you know that?"
"I think you're mistaken, Mr. Grey. Christian and I parted some time ago. Perhaps he's upset about something else?"
"No, Ana. It's almost certainly about you."
"Mr. Grey, I ha—"
"Please, call me Carrick."
"Carrick. I haven't seen Christian in over six months."
"I know, Ana. He hasn't been himself for quite some time. It dates back to when you two broke up."
I just stare up at him. Carrick is as tall as Christian, or nearly as tall. Even with my five-inch heels, he's still four or five inches taller. "I don't know how to respond to that. Essentially, he walked away from me."
Carrick looks startled. "Really? I thought it was the other way around."
"Um, not really." My face can't get any hotter without the likely risk of spontaneous combustion and I look away.
"Did something happen that brought it about?"
I'm having a hard time dragging my eyes back to his face. "He was having some kind of anxiety about committing and then when I asked him about his childhood…"
"Did he tell you anything?"
"Just that his mother didn't love him. He wouldn't say more." I cast my eyes down to hide the tears that I feel gathering. "Just getting that much was like pulling teeth."
When I manage to look him in the eye again, I see Christian's father looks troubled but he doesn't say anything more. The song finally concludes and he escorts me back to my table. "I hope to see you again soon, Ana," he says as I sit down again next to Hans, who glowers at Mr. Grey and swings his arm around my shoulders in a proprietary display. Mr. Grey smiles uncomfortably and walks away.
"I was very jealous that you were dancing with your ex-boyfriend's papa, Ana."
"Hans," I glare at him, my exasperation clearly showing, "remember, please, that we're not really husband and wife. You have no reason or right to be jealous."
"But I am, Ana," he says simply and plants a kiss right on my lips, his hand holding my head in place.
I squeak in protest and try to pull back but before I can even push him away, someone does it for me and my eyes roll up to see who it is.
Christian.
Christian fucking Grey is standing there, holding Hans' arm, his eyes blazing with the hot fires of Hades.
Through gritted teeth he spits out, "Get your paws off her. Are you so blind that you cannot see she doesn't welcome your advances?"
Hans looks enraged—I've never seen him lose his cool before, but he does now and his face turns purple. I sneak a quick peek at Kate and Elliot, who sit there beside Kate's family, looking astonished at the little drama unfolding at our table. "Who the hell are you?" Hans finally manages to say.
Christian ignores him totally and turns to me, extending his hand. "Ana, may I speak with you privately, please?"
Adrenaline pumps furiously into my system: my palms are clammy, my heartbeat races insanely, and my legs are as unsteady as a drunk on a sailboat. I place my sweaty hand in his big, warm, masculine one and whisper excuse me to Hans, allowing Christian to tug me to my feet. Of all the thoughts sprinting through my head, the only one I can pin down coherently is that I'm with him again, my dark-haired beauty, and that trumps everything else. Everything else.