The late afternoon sun poured through the windows, golden light dancing across the sleek surfaces of Reese's kitchen. It was quiet except for the soft hum of the dishwasher and the rhythmic tapping of Loki's tail against the couch arm as he stretched, utterly indifferent to her inner turmoil. Reese stood barefoot at the sink, staring blankly at the water running over her hands as she rinsed a wineglass from the night before.
Her mind, however, was anything but calm. Christian Grey. His name lingered in her thoughts like a song she couldn't shake, and his face flashed vividly every time she closed her eyes. She hated how easily her body remembered him—the searing intensity of his gaze, the way his voice wrapped around her, smooth and commanding. More than that, she hated how a small, traitorous part of her missed the way he appraised her, like she was the only thing worth his attention.
Her jaw tightened as she grabbed a towel and dried her hands, glancing at her phone on the counter. It sat there, innocuous and still, yet it seemed to mock her indecision.
"Just text him," she muttered to herself, her reflection in the stainless-steel fridge offering no solace. "It's business. That's all it is."
She had rehearsed the message so many times it should have been effortless: professional, polite, detached. But every time her fingers hovered over the keyboard, a knot formed in her stomach. It felt too personal, like texting him wasn't just opening a line of communication but reopening a door she wasn't sure she could close again.
Setting the phone back down, Reese let out an audible groan and grabbed a mug from the cabinet. She needed to escape her own spiraling thoughts.
Her self-care arsenal was a well-rehearsed ritual for moments like these. She brewed a cup of chamomile tea, its floral scent curling into the air and already taking the edge off her fraying nerves. With the mug in hand, Reese retreated to her bedroom, swapping her tailored slacks and blouse for a satin robe. The smooth fabric against her skin was a small comfort as she headed to the bathroom, determined to quiet her mind.
The clawfoot tub in the center of the room gleamed under the soft pendant lights. Reese turned the faucet, letting the steaming water cascade as she added a generous pour of lavender bubble bath. The fragrance filled the space, soothing and nostalgic, as she dimmed the lights and lit a few candles.
Sliding into the warm water, Reese exhaled deeply, her body slowly relaxing. She let her head rest against the tub's edge, the tension in her shoulders melting with every passing second. For a brief, precious moment, it was just her and the water—a cocoon of quiet where the day's weight dissolved.
But peace was fleeting.
Her thoughts inevitably returned to Christian. The memory of her writhing body beneath is strong build. That night had been electric, overwhelming. But it wasn't just about the intensity of their connection. The fallout had been equally vivid: Ana's sly comments to her and piercing stare that ripped through her. Reese could still feel the sting of it all.
Her phone sat on the vanity within reach, an unwelcome presence that drew her attention. She cursed herself for bringing it into the bathroom.
"I can't keep doing this," she muttered, running her fingers through her damp curls.
Instead of texting Christian, she picked up her phone and opened her browser. If she wasn't ready to face him directly, she could at least learn what he'd been up to since Melrose.
She typed his name into the search bar, her fingers moving with a mix of curiosity and trepidation. The results flooded in immediately: headlines detailing his business deals, polished photos from the masquerade event that linked to speculative pieces about his personal life. She scrolled past the familiar corporate fluff until her eyes snagged on something more salacious.
"Christian Grey's High-Stakes Divorce: The Aftermath."
"Inside the Scandal: What Ended the Marriage of LA's Most Mysterious CEO."
Reese hesitated before clicking on the first article. She already knew the broad strokes of his divorce. But reading about it now, seeing it dissected in cold, detached paragraphs, was different.
The piece painted a picture of a fractured marriage. No infidelity, but plenty of whispers about emotional unavailability. There were hints of reconciliation buried in the speculation, though nothing definitive. Reese couldn't help but wonder—had their connection been real, or was she just collateral damage in his attempts to move on?
Her stomach twisted. What was she even hoping to find? Proof that his love for Ana was rekindled? Or reassurance that it wasn't? Neither answer felt satisfying.
With a sigh, she set the phone aside and sank deeper into the bath. Her thoughts drifted to the Mediterranean villa. Christian might be the perfect buyer—or at least a powerful connection, as he had been when he procured Mr. Peterson for the Melrose sale. But bringing him back into her professional orbit felt reckless. Especially now, when things with Collin were moving forward.
Collin. The thought of him should have steadied her, but instead, it added another layer of complication.
The water began to cool, pulling her out of her reverie. Reese climbed out of the tub, wrapping herself in a plush towel. As she moved into the bedroom, Loki stirred from his perch, his green eyes blinking at her with lazy disinterest.
"Alright, Loki," she said, her voice firmer now, as though saying it aloud would make it true. "Enough stalling."
She sat on the edge of her bed, picked up her phone, and opened her old text thread with Christian. The familiar unsaved number at top of the screen sent a pang of unease through her, but she pushed it down. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, the cursor blinking in challenge.
Finally, she typed:
5:23 PM Reese:Mr. Grey, I hope this message finds you well. I have a listing that I feel will pique your interest and wanted to know if you would be able to create some space to see it. Please let me know at your earliest convenience when you would be available. Best regards.
She stared at the message for a moment before hitting send. The weight in her chest lifted slightly as the message disappeared into the ether.
Reese set the phone down and leaned back against the headboard, her heart thumping in her ears. She didn't know if this would bring resolution or chaos.
"Here we go," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the silence.