Chapter 99


    "Are you ready for this?" Christian asks as Taylor pulls up outside the impressive front door.


    I nod, and he gives my hand another reassuring squeeze.


    "First for me too," he whispers, then smiles wickedly. "Bet you wish you were wearing your underwear


    right now," he teases.


    I flush. I''d forgotten my missing panties. Fortunately, Taylor has climbed out of the car and is opening


    my door so he can''t hear our exchange. I scowl at Christian who grins broadly as I turn and climb out of


    the car.


    Dr. Grace Trevelyan-Grey is on the doorstep waiting for us. She looks elegantly sophisticated in a pale


    blue silk dress; behind her stands Mr. Grey, I presume, tall, blond, and as handsome in his own way as


    Christian.


    "Anastasia, you''ve met my mother, Grace. This is my dad, Carrick."


    "Mr. Grey, what a pleasure to meet you." I smile and shake his outstretched hand.


    "The pleasure is all mine, Anastasia."


    "Please call me, Ana."


    His blue eyes are soft and gentle.


    "Ana, how lovely to see you again." Grace wraps me in a warm hug. "Come in, my dear."


    "Is she here?" I hear a screech from within the house. I nce nervously at Christian.


    "That would be Mia, my little sister," he says almost irritably, but not quite.


    There''s an undercurrent of affection in his words, the way his voice grows softer and his eyes crinkle as


    he mentions her name. Christian obviously adores her. It''s a revtion.


    And shees barreling down the hall, raven haired, tall, and curvaceous. She''s about my age.


    "Anastasia! I''ve heard so much about you." She hugs me hard.


    Holy Cow. I can''t help but smile at her boundless enthusiasm.


    "Ana, please," I murmur as she drags me into therge vestibule. It''s all dark wood floors and antique


    rugs with a sweeping staircase to the second floor.


    "He''s never brought a girl home before," says Mia, dark eyes bright with excitement.


    I glimpse Christian rolling his eyes, and I raise an eyebrow at him. He narrows his eyes at me.


    "Mia, calm down," Grace admonishes softly. "Hello, darling," she says as she kisses Christian on both


    cheeks. He smiles down at her warmly, and then shakes hands with his father.


    We all turn and head into the living room. Mia has not let go of my hand. The room is spacious,


    tastefully furnished in creams, browns, and pale blue,fortable, understated, and very stylish. Kate


    and Elliot are cuddled together on a couch, clutching champagne flutes. Kate bounces up to embrace


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    me, and Mia finally releases my hand.


    "Hi, Ana!" She beams. "Christian." She nods curtly to him.


    "Kate." He is equally formal with her.


    I frown at their exchange. Elliot grasps me in an all-embracing hug. What is this, hug Ana weekThis


    dazzling disy of affection - I''m just not used to it. Christian stands at my side, wrapping his arm


    around me. cing his hand on my hip, he spreads out his fingers and pulls me close. Everyone is


    staring at us. It''s unnerving.


    "Drinks?" Mr. Grey seems to recover himself. "Proso?"


    "Please," Christian and I speak in unison.


    Oh... this is beyond weird. Mia ps her hands.


    "You''re even saying the same things. I''ll get them." She scoots out of the room.


    I flush scarlet, and seeing Kate sitting with Elliot, it urs to me suddenly that the only reason Christian


    invited me is because Kate is here. Elliot probably freely and happily asked Kate to meet his parents.


    Christian was trapped - knowing that I would have found out via Kate. I frown at the thought. He''s been


    forced into the invitation. The realization is bleak and depressing. My subconscious nods sagely, a


    you''ve-finally-worked-it-out-stupid look on her face.


    "Dinner''s almost ready," Grace says as she follows Mia out of the room.


    Christian frowns as he gazes at me.


    "Sit," hemands, pointing to the plush couch, and I do as I''m told, carefully crossing my legs. He


    sits down beside me but doesn''t touch me.


    "We were just talking about vacations, Ana," Mr. Grey says kindly. "Elliot has decided to follow Kate


    and her family to Barbados for a week."


    I nce at Kate, and she grins, her eyes bright and wide. She''s delighted. Katherine Kavanagh, show


    some dignity!


    "Are you taking a break now you''ve finished your degree?" Mr. Grey asks.


    "I''m thinking about going to Georgia for a few days," I reply.


    Christian gapes at me, blinking a couple of times, his expression unreadable. Oh shit.


    I haven''t mentioned this to him.


    "Georgia?" he murmurs.


    "My mother lives there, and I haven''t seen her for a while."


    "When were you thinking of going?" His voice is low.


    "Tomorrow,te evening."


    Mia saunters back into the living room and hands us champagne flutes filled with pale pink Proso.


    "Your good health!" Mr. Grey raises his ss. An appropriate toast from a doctor''s husband, it makes


    me smile.


    "For how long?" Christian asks, his voice deceptively soft.


    Holy crap... he''s angry.


    "I don''t know yet. It will depend how my interviews go tomorrow."


    His jaw clenches, and Kate gets that interfering look on her face. She smiles over-sweetly.


    "Ana deserves a break," she says pointedly at Christian. Why is she so antagonistic towards himWhat


    is her problem?


    "You have interviews?" Mr. Grey asks.


    "Yes, for internships at two publishers, tomorrow."


    "I wish you the best of luck."


    "Dinner is on the table," Grace announces.


    We all stand. Kate and Elliot follow Mr. Grey and Mia out of the room. I go to follow, but Christian


    clutches my elbow, bringing me to an abrupt halt.


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