“This one.” It’s a huge basket of white and blush roses. Ana will love it. “And can you get me in to see this house? I’ll e-mail you the link. I’d love to do an evening around sunset as soon as possible.”
“Sure. What would you like to say on the card?”
“Put the florist through to me when you’ve ordered the flowers, and I’ll tell her directly.”
“Very good, Mr. Grey.” Andrea exits.
Three minutes later she puts through the florist, who cheerily asks me to dictate a message for the card. “Congratulations, Miss Steele. And all on your own! No help from your overfriendly, neighborhood, megalomaniac CEO. Love, Christian.”
“Got that. Thank you, sir.”
“Thank you.”
I go back to looking at houses online, and I know that I’m distracting myself from the anxiety I feel about Ana’s appointment with Flynn later today. Displacing. That’s what Flynn would call it. But my happiness hangs in the balance.
And houses are distracting.
What will Flynn say?
After half an hour of looking at houses and not doing any work, I give in and call Flynn.
“You’ve caught me between patients. Is it urgent?” he says.
“I was calling to find out about Leila.”
“She had another comfortable night. I hope to see her later this afternoon. And I’m seeing you, too, yes?”
“Yes. With Ana.”
There’s a moment of silence between us, and I know this is one of John’s tricks. He doesn’t speak, hoping I will fill in the ensuing silence.
“Christian, what is it?”
“This evening. Ana.”
“Yes.”
“What will you say?”
“To Ana? I don’t know what she’s going to ask me. But whatever she asks, I’ll give her the truth.”
“That’s what I’m worried about.”
He sighs. “I have a different perception of you than you have of yourself, Christian.”
“I’m not sure whether to be reassured or not.”
“I’ll see you this evening,” he responds.
LATER THAT AFTERNOON I’M back from my meeting with Fred and Barney and I’m about to click on another real-estate agent’s website when I notice an e-mail from Ana. I haven’t heard from her all day. She must be busy.
* * *
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Megalomaniac…
Date: June 16 2011 15:43
To: Christian Grey
…is my favorite type of maniac. Thank you for the beautiful flowers. They’ve arrived in a huge wicker basket that makes me think of picnics and blankets.
x
She’s using her phone. Finally!
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Fresh Air
Date: June 16 2011 15:55
To: Anastasia Steele
Maniac, eh? Dr. Flynn may have something to say about that.
You want to go on a picnic?
We could have fun in the great outdoors, Anastasia…
How is your day going, baby?
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
* * *
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Hectic
Date: June 16 2011 16:00
To: Christian Grey
The day has flown by. I have hardly had a moment to myself to think about anything other than work. I think I can do this! I’ll tell you more when I’m home.
Outdoors sounds…interesting.
Love you.
A x
P.S.: Don’t worry about Dr. Flynn.
How does she know that I’m fretting about him?
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: I’ll try…
Date: June 16 2011 16:09
To: Anastasia Steele
…not to worry.
Laters, baby. x
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
In the gym at Escala, Bastille is on a roll, but I get a couple of kicks in and knock him on his ass.
“Something is eating you, Grey. Same girl?” he sneers, as he springs off the floor.
“None of your goddamn business, Bastille.”
We circle each other, looking for an opportunity to take each other down.
“Ah! I love that you have a woman in your life giving you a hard time. When do I get to meet her?”
“I’m not sure that’s going to happen.”
“Keep your left up, Grey. You’re vulnerable.”
He comes at me with a front kick, but I feint and skip left, avoiding him.
“Good move, Grey.”
AFTER MY SHOWER, I get a text from Andrea.
ANDREA PARKER
Realtor can see you this evening.
8:30 p.m.
Is that okay?
Her name is Olga Kelly.
Great!
Thanks.
Please text me the address.
I WONDER WHAT ANA will make of the house. Andrea sends me the address and the access code to the front gates. I memorize the code and find the house on Google Maps. While I’m working out a route from Flynn’s place to the house, my phone rings. It’s Ros. I stare out of the balcony window as she gives me some good news.
“Fred has come back to me. Kavanagh is a go,” she says.
“Ros, that’s great.”
“He has a few technical issues that he wants his people to discuss with our people. He’d like a meeting tomorrow morning. Breakfast. I’ve told Andrea.”
“Tell Barney and we’ll go from there,” I respond, and I turn away from the view of Seattle and the Sound to find Ana watching me.
“Will do. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Good-bye.” I hang up and stride over to meet my girl, who looks sweet and shy as she stands on the threshold of the living room. “Good evening, Miss Steele.” I kiss her and hold her close. “Congratulations on your promotion.”
“You’ve showered.”
“I’ve just had a workout with Claude.”
“Oh.”
“Managed to knock him on his ass twice.” It’s a memory to be savored.
“That doesn’t happen often?”
“No. Very satisfying when it does. Hungry?”
She shakes her head and seems worried.
“What?” I ask.
“I’m nervous. About Dr. Flynn.”
“Me, too. How was your day?” I release her.
“Great. Busy. I couldn’t believe it when Elizabeth, our HR person, asked me to fill in. I had to go to the senior editors’ lunch meeting and I managed to get two of the manuscripts I was championing considered.”
She doesn’t stop. She’s excited. Her eyes are shining; she’s passionate about what she’s been doing. It’s a pleasure to behold.
“Oh—there’s one more thing I should tell you. I was supposed to have lunch with Mia.”