"Really? You have to go again?" the corners of Ana's mouth turn down revealing her disappointment. Kate can only hear Ana's part of the exchange but it's obvious whatever she is talking about on the phone with Blake isn't making her happy. Kate feels awful for her friend. She can tell that Ana and Blake like each other but his career as a sports writer has him traveling more than he is home. It's complicated to date someone who isn't there. Ana absentmindedly walks into her bedroom while she's talking on the phone so Kate can't hear the rest. She doesn't have to hear anymore, nevertheless, the little bit she did hear is enough for her to start making a pot of tea for Ana. At this point, Kate would do virtually anything to cheer up her dear friend.

A few minutes later, Ana walks out of her bedroom and through the living room. It looks as if she is on the verge of tears. "Oh, Ana…" Kate doesn't know what to say to comfort her friend, but she wishes she does.

Ana sighs wistfully. "Kate, I think I genuinely like him but I never get to see him and I feel guilty for making him feel responsible." Ana places her head in her hands.

"Ana, you need to have some fun. We're all going out on Christian's boat today. It's supposed to be really nice. You should come with us." Kate offers her friend.

"Yeah, Christian's boat? I don't think that's an appropriate plan and I highly doubt I'd be welcome." she responds to Kate haughtily, her voice raising in pitch.

"I don't even think he'll be there. Mia mentioned something about him going out of town for work. Come on! It'll be fun and it's a glorious day. And, you could benefit from some sun." Kate teases Ana.

Ana looks down at her porcelain-colored arms, "What's wrong with being pale?"

Kate shrugs, "Nothing, but you haven't seen the sun in so long you probably have a vitamin D deficiency."

"Oh my God! OK, I'll go but if Christian is there, I'm going to be pissed." Ana quickly gets up from the stool where she was sitting at their breakfast bar. "Let me get ready."

Kate doesn't answer, she just smiles, delighted about her triumph. Ana can be really stubborn sometimes, so Kate has to be a little obnoxious and pushy to make Ana change her mind.

A few minutes later, Ana walks out of her bedroom wearing a charming white eyelet lace cover-up sundress. Her hair us up in a messy bun, she has on her Havaianas slim black mandala flip flops, and her sunglasses in her hand. Kate is similarly dressed and ready to go. "Ready?" She asks Ana.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Ana wryly responds.

Kate pulls into the parking spot at the marina and Ana thinks to herself that it is an ideal day for being on a boat in the sun, the sun is shining bright, it's warm with low humidity, and there is a refreshing breeze.

It's a brief stroll to the boat. When they eventually reach it, Ana is surprised. "Kate you claimed it was a boat." Ana says in disbelief.

"Ana, it is a boat." Kate looks at her dumbfounded.

"No, it's more like a yacht. Like it should be in a rap video or something."

"Don't be so dramatic. Come on." Kate makes her way up to the boat with Ana following behind her.

As soon as they get to the deck where everyone is relaxing and chatting on the huge u-shaped sofa, Ana realizes that she's been duped somehow. Sitting there looking completely incredible, like a beautiful Greek god, is Christian. She can't help but gawk at him. He doesn't see her at first but quickly his eyes find hers and he gets a slow seductive grin on his face. Her heart flutters and her legs can't move.

"Ana! Hi! I'm so pleased you could join us." Mia gets up and walks over to Ana giving her a welcoming hug.

Ana hugs her back, "Hi Mia. Thanks for including me. It's great to see you too." Mia walks back and sits next to Ryan. Ana walks over to where Kate is sitting and sits next to her.

"I thought you claimed he wouldn't be here!" Ana whispers to her sharply. Her head is turned towards Kate's ear so no one else can overhear.

"I'm sorry! I didn't expect he'd be here." Kate avoids looking Ana in the eyes. It's her total giveaway when she's lying and she's always had trouble lying to Ana.

Elliot, who is sitting on the other side of Kate puts his arm around her shoulders, "Hey Ana. Nice to see you here." He sports a giant grin showing all of his pearly white teeth.

Ana pouts at him, "You don't have to be so smug either. You two are made for each other." she huffs and leans back on the sofa. For a little while, everything is cool and the six of them have an entertaining conversation.

But quickly and awkwardly, Kate, Elliot, Mia, and Ryan make an excuse to get up and move to another part of the boat leaving Ana and Christian alone with each other. In an attempt to break the uneasy silence Christian starts to talk to Ana. "So, I take it you didn't know I would be here either?"

"No. I'm sorry. This isn't my intention. I don't want you to assume I'm scheming or anything." Ana talks quickly trying to declare her innocence.

"No, I know. It's my interfering brother and sister who can't keep their noses out of my business." Ana gives him a modest laugh.

"What did we do to have them in our lives, huh?"

"Hey, you picked Kate. I had no choice in my siblings."

Laughing, Ana replies, "Touche."

"So, how have you been?" Christian cautiously asks Ana.

"Um, OK I suppose."

"So, you honestly like that guy you're seeing?" he figures he might as well address the proverbial elephant in the room.

Ana looks at him, "Yeah. it's just that… never mind." Ana decided it wouldn't be an appropriate idea to be so foretelling with Christian considering their rocky past.

He inches closer to her, his face has an expression of legitimate concern and interest for her making Ana feel like she can open up to him. "It's just that he's constantly working. I barely get to see him so I feel like we're stuck in this stage where we still don't truly know each other."

"I'm sorry to hear that." He responds, almost too hastily.

"Are you?" Immediately she regrets asking that. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that." Ana swiftly apologizes for her faux pas.

"No, it's OK. I am sorry. I realize you like him and I know it doesn't seem like it but I don't like seeing you're not happy."

"Um, so, can I ask you a question?" Ana figures if he is being so forthcoming she might as well get the answer she needs.

"Sure, yeah."

"And you'll answer honestly?"

"Why wouldn't I? Just ask the question."

Ana takes a deep breath to ready herself. "Why didn't you try calling me? I mean, not that it makes a difference now, I just want to know, I suppose. You know, closure."

"Well, the short answer is that I'm a fucking moron. I was telling an acquaintance of mine about you and she stated she was concerned you were only dating me for my money so I should wait for you to contact me to see if it's true. I didn't notice she blocked your number. I genuinely didn't. I'm sorry I hurt you."

"Why would your friend block my info if you told her you liked me? I don't understand."

"I don't know how to explain it. Elena and I have a complicated relationship, well had, I suppose. She knew me better than anyone and I have never been in a typical relationship before. I trusted her."

"I still don't get it." Ana shakes her head struggling to make sense of what Christian is telling her.

"Look, if I tell you. You have to promise me you won't tell anybody. I mean it. No one knows about this." Christian's eyes are frigid and intense showing his seriousness.

"Ohhh… kay…" Ana responds unsure if she should be terrified of what he could reveal to her.

Christian sighs and runs his hand through his hair trying to steel himself to tell Ana what he's never told anyone except for Dr. Flynn. "Elena is my mother's best friend. When I was a teenager I had a long affair with her."

Ana gasps in shock at the news.

"That's not all. Elena was into different things. It wasn't just regular sex. She was a Domme, and I was her submissive." Christian looks in her eyes trying to gauge her reaction.

"Submissive? Like BDSM?"

"Yes, exactly."

"She abused you?" Ana asks him with a look of worry on her face.

Christian's eyebrows come together closer and lower. "No. I chose what I did with her. I liked it. I liked it so much that I became a Dom myself."

"So, you do what she did?" Christian nods in affirmation. "You have a submissive?"

"I did. But I don't have one now." He confesses. He's gone this far, he might as well tell the whole truth.

"Where did I fall into this? Did you expect me to do what you do?" Ana is having trouble putting her thoughts into words. She didn't think his confession would be this serious. In a million years she would have never guessed this.

"No. From the beginning I knew you would be different. Look, I know I fucked things up between us. And maybe it's for the best. I'm not the relationship type. I wouldn't want to hurt you or change how you are."

"Oh." Ana isn't sure what else to say at his confession. Thoughts are running through her mind a million miles a minute. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I feel like I owe it to you and I want you to trust me." He answers her plainly.

"Ana! Come and lay out in the sun with us!" Kate calls to Ana, effectively saving her from the uncomfortable conversation.

She gets up and turns to Christian, still unsure of what to say to him. "Go." he urges. "Go have fun. We can talk later if you want to." Ana nods at him and walks to Kate, taking the glass of wine she's offered.