“Great. Thanks, Andrea.”
THE MEETING GOES WELL. Kavanagh looks refreshed, no doubt from his recent vacation in Barbados, where he met my brother for the first time. He says he likes him. Considering Elliot’s fucking his daughter, that’s a good thing.
When they left, Kavanagh and his people seemed satisfied with our conversation. Now all that remains is to haggle over the price of the contract. Ros will have to take the lead on that with cost projections from Fred’s division.
Andrea has laid out the usual breakfast spread; I grab a croissant and head back to my office with Ros. “What time do you want to leave?” Ros asks me.
“Our driver will pick us up at ten.”
“I’ll see you in the foyer downstairs,” Ros confirms. “I’m excited. I’ve never been in a helicopter.”
Her grin is infectious.
“I found a house yesterday and I want to buy it. Will you handle the details?”
“As your lawyer, sure, of course I will.”
“Thanks. I owe you.”
“You will.” She laughs. “See you downstairs.”
I stand alone inside my office, feeling elated. I’m buying a house. The Kavanagh contract will be a great boost to the company. And I had a wonderful evening with my girl. At my desk, I send her an e-mail.
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Surfaces
Date: June 17 2011 08:59
To: Anastasia Steele
I calculate that there are at least 30 surfaces to go. I am looking forward to each and every one of them. Then there’s the floors, the walls—and let’s not forget the balcony.
After that there’s my office…
Miss you. x
Christian Grey
Priapic CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
I take a look around my office. Yes, there’s a lot of potential here: the sofa, the desk. Andrea knocks on the door and enters with my coffee. I marshal my wayward thoughts, and my body.
She places the coffee on my desk. “More coffee.”
“Thank you. Can you get the realtor for the house I saw yesterday on the line?”
“Sure thing, sir.”
My discussion with Olga Kelly is brief. We agree on a price to take back to the seller, and I give her Ros’s details so we can move quickly with inspections if the offer is accepted.
I check my e-mail. And I’m pleased to see a response from Ana to my earlier missive.
* * *
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Romance?
Date: June 17 2011 09:03
To: Christian Grey
Mr. Grey
You have a one-track mind.
I missed you at breakfast.
But Mrs. Jones was very accommodating.
A x
Accommodating?
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Intrigued
Date: June 17 2011 09:07
To: Anastasia Steele
What was Mrs. Jones accommodating about?
What are you up to, Miss Steele?
Christian Grey
Curious CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
* * *
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Tapping Nose
Date: June 17 2011 09:10
To: Christian Grey
Wait and see—it’s a surprise.
I need to work…let me be.
Love you.
A x
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Frustrated
Date: June 17 2011 09:12
To: Anastasia Steele
I hate it when you keep things from me.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
* * *
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Indulging you
Date: June 17 2011 09:14
To: Christian Grey
It’s for your birthday.
Another surprise.
Don’t be so petulant.
A x
Another surprise? When I pat down my jacket pocket, I’m reassured by the presence of the box that Ana’s given me.
She’s spoiling me.
ROS AND I ARE in the car on the way to Boeing Field. My phone flashes. It’s a text from Elliot.
ELLIOT
Hey, asshole. Bar. This evening.
Kate’s getting in touch with Ana.
You’d better be there.
Where are you?
ELLIOT
Layover Atlanta
Missed me?
No.
ELLIOT
Yeah you have. Well I’m back and
you’re getting your beer on tonight Bro.
It’s been a while since I went drinking with my brother and at least I won’t be alone with Ana and her photographer friend.
If you insist.
Safe travels.
ELLIOT
Laters dude.
Our flight to Portland is uneventful, though it’s a revelation how giddy Ros can be. She’s like a kid in a candy store during the flight. Fidgeting. Pointing. Nonstop commentary on everything she sees. It’s a side of Ros I never knew existed. Where’s the cool, collected lawyer I know? I’m reminded how quietly appreciative Ana was when I first took her up in Charlie Tango.
When we land, I pick up a voice mail from the realtor. The seller has accepted my offer. They must want a quick sale.
“What?” asks Ros.
“I’ve just bought that house.”
“Congratulations.”
AFTER A LENGTHY MEETING with the president and vice president of economic development at WSU in Vancouver, Ros and I are in conversation with Professor Gravett and her postgraduate team. The professor is in full flow. “We’ve been able to isolate the DNA of the microbe that’s responsible for nitrogen fixation.”
“What does that mean, exactly?” I ask.
“In layman’s terms, Mr. Grey, nitrogen fixation is essential for soil diversity, and as you know, diverse soils recover from shocks like drought far more quickly. We can now study how to activate the DNA in the microbes that live in the soil in the sub-Saharan region. In a nutshell, we’ll be able to get the soil to hold its nutrients for far longer, making it more productive per hectare.”
“Our results will be published in the Soil Science Society of America Journal in a couple of months. We’re sure to double our funding once the article comes out,” Professor Choudury says. “And we’ll need to get your input on potential funding sources that align with your philanthropic objectives.”
“Of course,” I say, offering my support. “As you know, I think your work here should be shared broadly to benefit as many people as possible.”
“We’ve kept that goal front and center in all that we’re doing.”