A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
"Ana, I've been wanting to talk to you.", Daniel says while pouring a cup of coffee in the break room. "I took your advice and told Audrey how I feel." I take a seat at the small round table in the corner of the room and wave for him to join me.
"I was wondering if that was the reason behind the goofy grins you've been giving each other. I take it she feels the same way?"
"Surprisingly, yes. It felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders just by telling her, but when she said that she likes me too, I was in shock. Although things could be tricky with us working together, we're going to give it a try. We're having dinner tomorrow night in fact." It seems like tomorrow night is going to be the night for taking chances. Once I told Christian that I was willing to take a chance, he asked me out for tomorrow night.
"I'm glad that you told her. Just think if you had kept mum."
"Thank goodness that I didn't and listened to you. I owe you big time.", he smiles. "If there's anything that you ever need, let me know."
"I appreciate that, but there's no need to repay me. I was simply being a friend." I push my chair back and stand up while he continues drinking his coffee. "And now this friend needs to get back to work. I'll see you later."
On the way back to my desk, I spot Kate looking at the daffodils on my desk. I can tell that she's dying to get confirmation on who sent them, but I'm going to make her wait a while longer.
"Are you still not going to tell me who sent those?"
"I told you that I don't know.", I smirk, going back to my work.
"But there was a card. The card had to have said something. Why don't you just tell me.", she pouts. "I already have an idea, but it would be better if you said a name.", she pouts.
"Fine, a name." She rolls her eyes and sticks her tongue out just as Olivia returns from a meeting. She stops by our desks and narrows her eyes at Kate. "Hi Olivia. I was just..um..finishing up my article on the upcoming art festival."
"While harassing Ana?", Olivia asks with a raised brow. "Kate, you're such a multitasker." I place a folder in front of my face to hide my laughter. "All right ladies, I'm going to my office where I'll be working on the set up for next week's article." She turns and begins walking towards her office, but stops and turns back to us. "Love the daffodils by the way."
After work, I head downstairs to our building's laundry room while Kate goes to the gym. I'm moving a load of towels from the washing machine to the dryer when my phone buzzes from my back pocket. Turning the dryer on, I see that it's Christian calling. I made the decision at work to finally give him my personal number since all of our previous calls have been from my work phone. If I'm going to try things, I owe it to him.
"Hello.", I answer.
"Anastasia, I hope that I'm not bothering you.", he says.
"Oh yes, you're interrupting me while I do my laundry. How dare you?" He's silent for a few second before finally laughing. "Yes, it was a joke, not the best though."
"It took me a minute to realize it. I was calling for two reasons. Tell me, are you washing any delicates. Panties perhaps?" My panties are instantly as damp as the clothes in the machine.
"Wouldn't you like to know?", I tease. "Maybe I don't wear panties. Have you thought about that?" It seems my new lease on life also includes the ability to be bolder and more flirtatious.
"Fuck.", he hisses.
"Is there a reason for your call Mr. Grey?"
"Why yes there is. I was calling to find out if you have a certain interest like going to the movies or taking long walks on the beach. I'm trying to get an idea on how to plan tomorrow night." He sounds nervous as I remind myself that he's new to the dating thing. "I don't want to start things off on the wrong foot."
"I'm not particular and will no doubt like whatever you plan."
"Ok. I'll think of something. This is nice.", he says as I sit down on a small bench. "Us talking like this. I'm glad that you finally gave me your cell number. I mean I could have gotten it on my own easily, but I wanted to get it straight from you. I wanted you to trust me enough to have it."
"It's a small step, but a step none the less. My laundry is almost finished so I'm going to say goodbye now."
"Ok. I'll see you tomorrow night."
"Yes you will.", I say, waiting to see if he hangs up first, but I can still hear him breathing on the other end. "You ca hang up now."
"Ladies first.", he chuckles. "On the count of three, we both hang up. 1..2..3." Neither of us give in. "Fine, I'll hang up first. Laters baby." Fuck!
"I was wondering where if you would still be doing laundry when I got back.", Kate smiles when I arrive back at the apartment. Even though she's been working out, she still looks like she stepped out of a magazine.
"How was the gym?" I place the basket of clean towels on the sofa and begin to fold them. She settles in the arm-chair across from me and takes a deep breath.
"It was tiring. I spent thirty minutes on the treadmill and then another thirty on the elliptical. By the time I was done, I could barely walk. Remind me again why I went."
"So you would have an excuse not to do laundry.", I laugh. "Now that you've exhausted yourself, what are you planning on doing for the rest of the night?"
"Nada, nothing. I don't know if I can even get out of this chair. That's how tired I am, but tomorrow will be a different story. The two of us are having dinner to celebrate your big article."
"About that, can we postpone it until another day. I kind of already have plans tomorrow night."
"Plans? I like the sound of that. Would those plans happen to include a guy?", she asks as I finish folding a towel. "You've got a date! Hot damn!" She finds her second wind and jumps from the sofa and begins dancing around in circles while waving her arms. "Ana's got a date. A d-a-t-e. Oh yeah!"
"That is exactly why I didn't want to tell you. You're acting like someone who's won the grand prize on a game show. It's just a date.", I insist.
"With the same guy who sent the daffodils? You might as well go ahead and tell me his name."
"Kate, I think you already know who sent them."
"Yes, but I'd like to hear it from you."
"Christian Grey. Happy? Before you start planning our wedding, I want to inform you that we're taking things slow, getting to know each other. I don't want to rush with this."
"I get it. I do. I'm just glad that you're taking a chance."
"Deep breath Ana. It's just a date.", I whisper to myself while standing in front of the floor length mirror in my bedroom. I turn to the right and then the left to make sure my outfit is the right choice for tonight. I texted Christian earlier and asked how I should dress, and he answered casual so I'm wearing a white tank, dark blue blazer, jeans, and black flats. I grab my purse and step out of my room as I hear a knock at the door. From her spot on the sofa, Kate places her magazine down and runs to the door.
"Um, hi. I'm here to pick up Ana.", Christian says nervously.
"Yes. She told me that you're taking her out tonight. Why don't you come in?" I step into the room and get my first glimpse of Christian whose dressed in a black long sleeve dress shirt and jeans. Before he greet me, Kate holds her hand up. "I'm going to warn you that I'm well trained in martial arts. It's not something that I tell many people since I don't want to come off as a show off or scare them, but I will not hesitate to use my skills on you if you hurt her. Are we clear?"
"Crystal.", he replies.
"Ok Kate, I think he gets the idea. Hi."
"Hi. You look gorgeous."
"Thank you. Why don't we go before she decides to show some of her moves?", I giggle.
"Don't be too late but have fun."
"Nice car.", I smile when we arrive at a black Audi R8 Spyder that's parked on the curb in front of my building.
"Why thank you." Christian opens the passenger door for me, but I remain standing on the concrete. "Have you changed your mind?"
"No. I've never my door opened for me before." He smiles with relief and goes to his side. "Where's your security tonight?"
"I didn't think I would need him, but I might have to have him run interference if Kate decides to kick my ass with her training."
"She was joking, but she means well. Kate's been there for me through a lot and has always had my back. I'm sure it's the same way with your friends." He moves his eyes briefly off the road and shakes his head.
"I don't have many friends.", he murmurs. I'm not sure how to respond to this. He continues driving in silence, glancing at me every few seconds. We soon come to a the entrance of the Pacific Science Center. "I didn't know what to do tonight, but I wanted you to feel relaxed with me so I'm hoping this is ok."
"It's great.", I answer truthfully. In the few times that I've been here, I've enjoyed myself.
"This is one of my favorite places in the city, but I rarely get a chance to come here." After he parks the car, he gets out and runs to my side to open the door. "Are you sure this is ok?"
"Christian, it's perfect. There's no need to be nervous." I wish I could take my own advice.
"I'm trying, but this is my first time on a date so I want everything to go smoothly." I surprise him by taking his hand in mine.
"If it's any consolation, this is my first "first" date in over three years. Come to think of it, it's my first date in forever. My ex was always making excuses about why he couldn't go out."
"He has to be the most idiotic man on the planet.", he sighs. "Shall we go?"
"Aren't they already closed for the day?", I ask as we begin walking, hand in hand.
"Anastasia, have you forgotten who you're with?"
"My mistake. You can call me Ana if you'd like." We arrive at the center's lighted arches which rise above a court of reflecting pools. The colors vary day to day, and tonight they're blue. "Beautiful."
"Indeed.", he says, looking at me instead of the display before us. "I arranged for them to be blue like your eyes. As I've said, I think and dream about you and those blue eyes."
"For a man who's new to this, you're doing good so far." The air around us is thick with electricity as I shift my body closer to his. I can see in his eyes that he wants to kiss me as much as I want him to, but he moves back.
"We should get inside.", he mutters.
When we step inside, the lights magically come on. I turn to Christian who's amused by my wide eyes. He points to the side of the room where a man dressed in a suit is standing with a small smile.
"That's George. He works here and is the one responsible for the lights coming on. I may be a man of many talents, but I don't know magic." George nods when we pass by him and head through the building. "I think it's time that we eat." Christian opens the door leading to the planetarium. Once we step inside, I see a table in the middle of the room.
"We're having dinner in here?"
"I thought it would be nice to eat under the stars and planets.", he replies while pulling my chair out for me. A few seconds later, George enters the room with a tray containing two covered plates and a bottle of white wine. "Do you like chicken marsala?"
"It's one of my all time favorite dishes. Mr. Grey gets another point on the board." The lights go off but are replaced by the glow of the sky above us. I take a bite of the chicken before admiring the constellations.
"Ok, I want to know more about you. What's your favorite color?"
"Purple. Yours?"
"Gray. I know it's kind of ironic.", he shrugs. "Favorite kind of music?"
"I don't really have a favorite kind. I listen to just about anything.", I reply.
"Same here. We have more in common than we thought. Oh, Superman or Spiderman?"
"Really? You're asking me this? Tsk tsk. The answer is neither. Everyone knows that Batman is the best." He almost gets choked on his wine at my answer. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine. In regards to the superhero question, my choice is Batman as well."
We spend the rest of dinner talking and getting to know each other more. It feels nice to ease my guard for once and not worry about the past. Christian isn't Bryant. He's a man who, like me, wants a new beginning.
"This has been an incredible night.", I say after we finish eating. I point up to the revolving stars above and smile. "I've had a really great time. I know that I wasn't the nicest person to you at first, and I'm sorry."
"There's no need to apologize.", he assures me. "You were protecting yourself." He stands up and extends his hand to me. "I've got one more thing to show you." I take his hand and follow him out of the room and then through the exit sign. When we get outside, I see five towering flower sculptures that are lit.
"This wasn't here the last time I visited."
"It's a new exhibit called Sonic Bloom. All of it is done by solar power. The sun shines through the petals during the day and makes them glow while they light up at night. My fondness for solar power drew me to this."
"Wow. I love this."
"Ok, I'm going to sound cheesy when I say this, but what you are to me is similar to the way the solar power is to these flowers. Since meeting you, I've smiled and laughed more than I can remember. You make me glow." For the second time tonight, I shift closer to him and hope that he doesn't back away again. "I wanted to kiss you earlier, but with this being our first date, I didn't want to push my luck." My hands move to the side of his face as I stand on my toes.
"Why don't we hit rewind and title our non-date a date? That would make this our second date." His mouth lowers towards mine.
"All right.", he breathes. "This is our second date so I'm going to kiss you now."
"You better.", I demand as our lips collide together.