"I've been worried about you."
"Worried, why?"
"Because you went home in that deathtrap you call a car."
"WhatIt's not a deathtrap. It's fine. Jose regularly services it for me."
"Jose, the photographer?" Christian's eyes narrow, his face frosting. Oh Crap.
"Yes, the Beetle used to belong to his mother."
"Yes, and probably her mother and her mother before her. It's not safe."
"I've been driving it for over three years. I'm sorry you were worried. Why didn't you call?" Jeez, he's completely over-reacting.
He takes a deep breath.
"Anastasia, I need an answer from you. This waiting around is driving me crazy."
"Christian, I... look, I've left my stepdad on his own."
"Tomorrow. I want an answer by tomorrow."
"Okay. Tomorrow, I'll tell you then." I blink at him.
He steps back, regarding me coolly, and his shoulders relax.
"Are you staying for drinks?" he asks.
"I don't know what Ray wants to do."
"Your stepfatherI'd like to meet him."
Oh no... why?
"I'm not sure that's a good idea."
Christian unlocks the door, his mouth in a grim line.
"Are you ashamed of me?"
"No!" It's my turn to sound exasperated. "Introduce you to my dad as what'This is the man who deflowered me and wants us to start a BDSM relationship'. You're not wearing running shoes."
Christian glares down at me, and then his lips twitch up in a smile. And in spite of the fact I'm mad at him, my face is unwillingly pulled into an answering grin.
"Just so you know, I can run quite fast. Just tell him I'm your friend, Anastasia."
He opens the door, and I head out. My mind is whirling. The Chancellor, the three Vice Chancellors, four professors, and Kate stare at me as I walk hastily past them. Holy crap. Leaving Christian with the faculty I go in search of Ray.
Tell him I'm your friend. Friend with benefits, my subconscious scowls. I know, I know. I shake the unpleasant thought away. How will I introduce him to RayThe hall is still at least half full, and Ray has not moved from his spot. He sees me, waves, and makes his way down.
"Hey, Annie. Congratulations." He puts his arm around me.
"Would you like to come and have a drink in the marquee?"
"Sure. It's your day. Lead the way."
"We don't have to if you don't want to." Please say no...
"Annie, I've just sat for two and half hours listening to all kinds of jabbering. I need a drink."
I put my arm through his, and we stroll out with the throng into the warmth of the early afternoon. We pass the line for the official photographer.
"Oh, that reminds me." Ray drags a digital camera out of his pocket. "One for the album, Annie." I roll my eyes at him as he snaps a picture of me.
"Can I take the cap and gown off nowI feel kind of dorky."
You look kinda dorky... my subconscious is at her snarky best. So are you going to introduce Ray to the man you're f**king She is glaring at me over her wing-shaped spec-tacles. He'd be so proud. God, I hate her sometimes.
The marquee is immense, and crowded - students, parents, teachers, and friends, all chattering happily. Ray hands me a glass of champagne or cheap fizzy wine, I suspect. It's not chilled, and it tastes sweet. My thoughts turn to Christian... he won't like this.
"Ana!" I turn, and Ethan Kavanagh scoops me into his arms. He twirls me around, without spilling my wine, some feat.
"Congratulations!" He beams down at me, green eyes twinkling.
What a surprise. His dirty blonde hair tousled and sexy-looking. He's as beautiful as Kate. The family resemblance is striking.
"Wow - Ethan! How lovely to see you. Dad, this is Ethan, Kate's brother. Ethan, this is my dad, Ray Steele." They shake hands, my dad coolly assessing Mr. Kavanagh.
"When did you get back from Europe?" I ask.
"I've been back for a week, but I wanted to surprise my little sister," he says conspiratorially.
"That's so sweet." I grin up at him.
"She is Valedictorian, couldn't miss that." He looks immensely proud of his sister.
"She gave a great speech."
"That she did," Ray agrees.
Ethan has his arm around my waist when I look up into the frosty gray eyes of Christian Grey. Kate is beside him.
"Hello, Ray," Kate kisses Ray on both cheeks, making him blush. "Have you met Ana's boyfriendChristian Grey."
Holy shit... Kate! Fuck! All the blood drains from my face.
"Mr. Steele, it's a pleasure to meet you." Christian says smoothly, warmly, completely unflustered by Kate's introduction. He holds out his hand, which, all credit to Ray, Ray takes, not showing a hint of the drop-dead surprise he's just had thrust upon him.
Thank you very much, Katherine Kavanagh, I fume. I think my subconscious has fainted.
"Mr. Grey," Ray murmurs, his expression indecipherable except perhaps for the slight widening of his big brown eyes. They slide over my face with a when-were-you-going-togive-me-this-news look. I bite my lip.
"And this is my brother, Ethan Kavanagh." says Kate to Christian.
Christian turns his arctic glare on Ethan, who still has one arm around me.
"Mr. Kavanagh."
They shake hands. Christian holds his hand out to me.
"Ana, baby," he murmurs, and I nearly expire at the endearment.
I walk out of Ethan's grasp, while Christian smiles icily at him, and I take my place at his side. Kate grins at me. She knows exactly what she's doing, the vixen!