Fifty Shades Darker (book 5)

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"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.

Ax

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."

"You never mentioned that."

"I know, I forgot. I couldn't make it because of the meeting, and Ethan took her out to lunch instead."

The beach bum, with my sister. I'm not sure how I feel about that. "I see. Stop biting your lip."

"I'm going to freshen up," she says quickly, before I can ask her any more about Kavanagh and my baby sister.

I've never really thought about my sister dating. There was that guy at the ball, but she didn't seem particularly interested in him.

"I USUALLY RUN HERE from home," I mention, as I park the Saab. "This is a great car."

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