“I’ll e-mail you.”
“From your BlackBerry,” I emphasize.
“Yes, Sir.”
“Laters, baby.”
“Bye.”
I glance up and see the elevator is climbing to the executive floor. The mayor is on his way.
“Hang up,” she says, and I hear the smile in her voice.
“I wish you’d never gone to work this morning.”
“Me, too. But I am busy. Hang up.”
“You hang up.” I grin.
“We’ve been here before,” she says in that teasing tone she has.
“You’re biting your lip.”
She inhales, quickly.
“You see, you think I don’t know you, Anastasia. But I know you better than you think.”
“Christian, I’ll talk to you later. Right now, I really wish I hadn’t left this morning, too.”
“I’ll wait for your e-mail, Miss Steele.”
“Good day, Mr. Grey.”
She hangs up as the elevator doors open.
BY 3:45 I’M BACK in my office. The mayor’s visit was a success and a PR windfall for GEH. Andrea buzzes me.
“Yes?”
“I have Mia Grey on the line for you.”
“Put her through.”
“Christian?”
“Hi.”
“We’re having a party for your birthday on Saturday and I want to invite Anastasia.”
“Whatever happened to ‘Hello? How are you?’ ”
Mia makes a dismissive noise. “Spare me one of your lectures, big brother.”
“I’m busy on Saturday.”
“Cancel it. It’s happening.”
“Mia!”
“No ifs or buts. What’s Ana’s number?”
I sigh and stay silent.
“Christian!” she shouts down the phone.
Jesus. “I’ll text it to you.”
“No bailing. You’ll disappoint Mom and Dad and me and Elliot!”
I sigh. “Whatever, Mia.”
“Great! See you then. Bye.” She hangs up and I stare at the phone with frustrated amusement. My sister is a pain in the ass. I hate birthdays. Well, my birthday. Reluctantly, I text Mia Ana’s number, knowing that I’m unleashing the force that is my little sister on an unsuspecting victim.
I go back to reading a report.
When I finish, I check my e-mail and there’s one from Ana.
* * *
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Antediluvian
Date: June 15 2011 16:11
To: Christian Grey
Dear Mr. Grey
When, exactly, were you going to tell me?
What shall I get my old man for his birthday?
Perhaps some new batteries for his hearing aid?
A x
Anastasia Steele
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Editor, SIP
Mia is as good as her word. She hasn’t wasted any time. I have some fun with my response.
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Prehistoric
Date: June 15 2011 16:20
To: Anastasia Steele
Don’t mock the elderly.
Glad you are alive and kicking.
And that Mia has been in touch.
Batteries are always useful.
I don’t like celebrating my birthday.
x
Christian Grey
Deaf as a Post CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
* * *
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Hmmm.
Date: June 15 2011 16:24
To: Christian Grey
Dear Mr. Grey
I can imagine you pouting as you wrote that last sentence.
That does things to me.
A xox
Anastasia Steele
Assistant to Jack Hyde, Editor, SIP
Her reply makes me laugh out loud, but what do I have to do to make her use her phone?
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Rolling Eyes
Date: June 15 2011 16:29
To: Anastasia Steele
Miss Steele
WILL YOU USE YOUR BLACKBERRY!!!
x
Christian Grey
Twitchy Palmed CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
I await her answer. It does not disappoint.
* * *
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Inspiration
Date: June 15 2011 16:33
To: Christian Grey
Dear Mr. Grey
Ah…your twitchy palms can’t stay still for long, can they?
I wonder what Dr. Flynn would say about that?
But now I know what to give you for your birthday—and I hope it makes me sore…
;)
A x
Finally, she’s using her phone. And she wants to be sore. My mind goes into overdrive imagining the possibilities this presents.
I shift in my seat as I type my response.
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Angina
Date: June 15 2011 16:38
To: Anastasia Steele
Miss Steele
I don’t think my heart could stand the strain of another e-mail like that, or my pants for that matter.
Behave.
x
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
* * *
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Trying
Date: June 15 2011 16:42
To: Christian Grey
Christian
I am trying to work for my very trying boss.
Please stop bothering me and being trying yourself.
Your last e-mail nearly made me combust.
x
P.S.: Can you pick me up at 6:30?
* * *
From: Christian Grey
Subject: I’ll Be There
Date: June 15 2011 16:47
To: Anastasia Steele
Nothing would give me greater pleasure.
Actually, I can think of any number of things that would give me greater pleasure, and they all involve you.
x
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
TAYLOR AND I PULL up outside her office at 6:27. I should only have a few minutes to wait.
I wonder if she’s had any thoughts about my proposal. Of course, she needs to talk to Flynn first. Perhaps he’ll tell her not to be a fool. The thought depresses me. I wonder if our days are numbered. But she knows the worst and she’s still here. I think there’s room for hope. I check my watch—6:38—and stare at the door of her office building.
Where is she?
Suddenly she’s in the street, the door swinging behind her. But she doesn’t head toward the car.
What gives?
She stops, looks around, and slowly sinks to the ground.
Fuck.
I open the car door and notice out of the corner of my eye that Taylor is doing the same.