Chapter 63


    I open my eyes, startled by an image from my dream that I can’t quite grasp.


    What was I dreaming about?


    The sun is higher in the sky, announcing that it’s a more eptable time to rise. I shake my head to


    rouse myself, and then I remember—today, I make Ana mine.


    Today, at 12 p.m.


    Yes!


    And then I get to spend three weeks with her in Europe. I can’t wait to show Ana all the sights. As I lie


    in bed feeling excited about what I have nned, I have an idea.


    Hmm… I’m going to pack a few toys from the yroom to add to the fun.


    Yes.


    I bound out of bed, grab a T-shirt, and head toward the kitchen. From the corridor I hear voices. Ray is


    sitting at the kitchen counter, tucking into bacon, eggs, hash browns, and sausages. He’s chatting with


    Mrs. Jones. Unlike me, he’s dressed, in his wedding shirt and tuxedo pants. “Good morning,” I greet


    him.


    “Good morning, Christian. How are you feeling?”


    “Good.”


    “Morning, Mr. Grey,” Gail gushes. “Coffee?”


    “Please.”


    “It’s a mighty fine ce you have here,” Ray says, motioning to the ceiling with his knife.


    “Thank you.”


    “Ana tells me you’ve bought a house.”


    “Yes. It’s up the coast.”


    Ray nods. “She says you have a ce in Aspen and New York, too.”


    “Um…yes. You know, property. Um. It’s about diversifying my portfolio.”


    He nods, but gives nothing away. “A lot of ces for one person to mind.”


    “Well, after today, there’ll be two of us minding them.”


    His eyebrows rise high into his forehead, and a slow smile that is either admiration or incredulity


    spreads across his face. I hope it’s admiration. “I guess you’re right,” he says.


    I want to move the conversation off this topic. “Did you sleep well?”


    “I did. That room is probably one of the fanciest I’ve ever stayed in. And that is some view.”


    “I’m d you werefortable.”


    “Here you are, Mr. Grey.” Mrs. Jones ces a ck coffee on the counter in front of me.


    “Thank you, Gail.”


    “What would you like for breakfast?”


    “What Ray’s having.”


    She smiles. “Coming right up, sir.”


    I slide onto the stool beside Ray and ask him if he’s been fishing recently. His eyes light up.


    Even I have to admit that Elliot looks good in a tux. We’re in the back of the Q7, and nearing our


    parents’ ce in Bellevue. “How are you feeling?” he asks.


    “I wish people would stop asking me that.”


    “You? Nervous? You’re the coolest dude I know. What gives? Is it because you’re saddling yourself to


    the same woman for the rest of your life? I’d be nervous, too.”


    I roll my eyes. “Your promiscuity knows no bounds, Elliot. One of these days someone is going to turn


    your world upside down. I didn’t know it would happen to me. And yet here we are.”


    His eyes cloud, and he looks out of the window as we pull up to our parents’ house. There are a


    number of cars queuing for the valet service, and guests in their wedding finery are following the pale


    pink carpet to the rear of the house. As Taylor steers us into the driveway, two guys in dark suits, with


    discreet earpieces and regtion aviators, step forward and open our doors. They’re the additional


    security.


    “Ready?” asks Elliot with a quick, reassuring nce at me. “If you want to back out, there’s still time.”


    “Fuck off.”


    He grins and climbs out of the car.


    I take a deep breath.


    This is it.


    Showtime, Grey.


    My phone buzzes and I nce at it.


    Fuck. My scalp tingles. It’s a text from Elena.


    ELENA


    You’re making a big mistake.


    I know you. But I’ll be here


    for you when your life falls apart.


    And it will. I’ll be here because


    in spite of what I said I love you.


    I’ll always love you.


    What the evesting fuck is this?


    “Christian,” Elliot distracts me. “Are youing?” He’s waiting.


    “Yes,” I snap. I quickly delete the text and climb out of the car.


    Fuck her.


    “You okay?” Elliot frowns when I join him.


    “Yes. Let’s do this.” I storm ahead, trying to bring my burst of anger under control. How dare Elena try


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    to derail me on my wedding day! I ignore the young woman who’s standing on the path, all smiles.


    She’s carrying a clipboard, but I charge past her, leaving Elliot to check in with her, as I head through


    the front door. Grace is in the hall.


    “Darling, you’re here.”


    “Mother.”


    “You look so handsome, Christian.” She puts her arms around me, gives me a swift, restrained hug,


    and inclines her head toward me, offering a cheek.


    “Mom,” I whisper, and she steps back, concern shing in her eyes.


    “Are you okay?”


    I nod, not trusting myself to speak.


    “Ana is upstairs—you can’t see her until the wedding. She slept in your roomst night. Come with me.”


    She takes my hand and leads me down the hallway into the den.


    “Is it nerves, darling? I’d hug you properly, but I don’t want to get makeup on your suit,” Grace says.


    “The aesthetician put it on with a trowel. It will take months to get it off.”


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