There’s little traffic tonight, and the R8 roars along the 520 bridge. About halfway across, Ana turns to me. “There was an additional fifty thousand dollars in my bank account this afternoon.”
“And?”
“You don’t—”
“Ana, you’re going to be my wife. Please. Let’s not fight about this.”
She takes a deep breath and is silent for a while as we cruise just above the pink and dusky waters of Lake Washington. “Okay,” she says. “Thank you.”
“You’re most welcome.”
I breathe a sigh of relief.
See, that wasn’t so hard, was it Ana?
On Monday, I’ll take care of your student loans.
“READY TO FACE MY family?” I switch off the R8 ignition. We’re parked in my parents’ driveway.
“Yes. Are you going to tell them?”
“Of course. I’m looking forward to seeing their reactions.” I’m excited. I step out of the car and open her door. It’s a little cool this evening and she pulls her wrap around her shoulders. I take her hand and we head to the front door. The driveway is choked with cars, including Elliot’s truck. It’s a bigger party than I had anticipated.
Carrick opens the front door before I can knock.
“Christian, hello. Happy birthday, son.” He takes my hand and engulfs me in a surprise hug.
This never happens. “Um…thanks, Dad.”
“Ana, how lovely to see you again.” He gives Ana a quick affectionate embrace and we follow him into the house. There’s a loud clatter of heels, and I expect to see Mia running down the hallway, but it’s Katherine Kavanagh. She looks mad.
“You two! I want to talk to you,” she gripes.
Ana gives me a blank look and I shrug. I have no idea what Kavanagh’s beef is but we follow her into the empty dining room. She shuts the door and turns on Ana. “What the fuck is this?” she hisses and waves a piece of paper at her. Ana takes it from her and reads it. Almost immediately she blanches and her startled eyes meet mine.
What the hell?
Ana steps between me and Katherine.
“What is it?” I ask, feeling anxious.
Ana ignores me and addresses Kavanagh. “Kate! This has nothing to do with you.” Katherine is surprised by her reaction.
What the fuck are they talking about?
“Ana, what is it?”
“Christian, would you just go, please?”
“No. Show me.” I hold out my hand and reluctantly she passes the piece of paper to me.
It’s her e-mail response to the contract.
Shit.
“What’s he done to you?” Katherine asks, ignoring me.
“That’s none of your business, Kate.” Ana sounds exasperated.
“Where did you get this?” I ask.
Kavanagh blushes. “That’s irrelevant.” But I stare at her and she continues. “It was in the pocket of a jacket, which I assume is yours, that I found on the back of Ana’s bedroom door.” She scowls at me, ready for battle.
“Have you told anyone?” I ask.
“No! Of course not,” she snaps, and has the gall to look offended.
Good. I walk over to the fireplace and taking a lighter from the small porcelain bowl on the mantelpiece I set fire to the corner of the printout and let it float, burning, into the grate. Both women are silent, watching me.
Once it’s reduced to ashes, I turn my attention back to them.
“Not even Elliot?” Ana asks.
“No one,” Katherine says, and she sounds emphatic. She looks a little puzzled and maybe hurt. “I just want to know you’re okay, Ana,” she says, concerned.
Unseen by them both, I roll my eyes.
“I’m fine, Kate. More than fine. Please, Christian and I are good, really good—this is old news. Please ignore it,” Ana pleads with her.
“Ignore it?” she says. “How can I ignore that? What’s he done to you?”
“He hasn’t done anything to me, Kate. Honestly—I’m good.”
“Really?” she asks.
For fuck’s sake.
I wrap my arm around Ana and stare at Katherine, trying and probably failing to keep the animosity out of my expression. “Ana has consented to be my wife, Katherine.”
“Wife!” she exclaims, her eyes widening in disbelief.
“We’re getting married. We’re going to announce our engagement this evening,” I inform her.
“Oh!” Katherine stares at Ana, stunned. “I leave you alone for sixteen days, and this happens? It’s very sudden. So yesterday, when I said—” She stops. “Where does that e-mail fit into all this?”
“It doesn’t, Kate. Forget it—please. I love him and he loves me. Don’t do this. Don’t ruin his party and our night,” Ana begs.
Katherine’s eyes fill with tears.
Shit. She’s going to cry.
“No. Of course I won’t. You’re okay?”
“I’ve never been happier,” Ana whispers, and my heart quickens.
Katherine grabs her hand, even though I still have my arm wrapped around Ana.
“You really are okay?” she asks, her voice full of hope.
“Yes.” Ana sounds happier and she shrugs out of my hold to hug her.
“Oh, Ana—I was so worried when I read this. I didn’t know what to think. Will you explain it to me?” she asks.
“One day, not now.”
“Good. I won’t tell anyone. I love you so much, Ana, like my own sister. I just thought—” She shakes her head. “I didn’t know what to think. I’m sorry. If you’re happy, then I’m happy.” Katherine looks at me. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to intrude.”
I give her a nod. Maybe she does care about Ana, but how Elliot puts up with her I’ll never know.
“I really am sorry. You’re right, it’s none of my business,” she whispers to Ana. There’s a knock that startles us all, and my mom pokes her head around the door.
“Everything okay, darling?” Mom asks, looking directly at me.
“Everything’s fine, Mrs. Grey,” Katherine offers.
“Fine, Mom,” I respond.
She expresses her relief as she enters the room. “Then you won’t mind if I give my son a birthday hug.” She gives us all a broad smile and walks into my waiting arms. I hold her close. “Happy birthday, darling,” she says. “I’m so glad you’re still with us.”
“Mom, I’m fine.” I look into her warm hazel eyes and they’re shining with maternal love.
“I’m so happy for you,” she says, and she holds her palm against my cheek.
Mom. I love you.
She steps out of my embrace. “Well, kids, if you’ve all finished your tête-à-tête, there’s a throng of people here to check that you really are in one piece, Christian, and to wish you a happy birthday.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Mom looks from Katherine to Ana, satisfied, I think, that nothing is amiss. She winks at Ana as she holds open the door for all of us. Ana takes my hand.
“Christian, I really do apologize,” Katherine says.