I nod gleefully, and she squeals and hugs me in the middle of Publix supermarket.

“Congratulations, darling! We have to buy some champagne!” She’s clapping her

hands and jumping up and down. Is she forty-two or twelve?

I glance down at my phone and frown, there’s a missed call from Christian. He never

phones me. I call him straight back.

“Anastasia,” he answers immediately.

“Hi,” I murmur shyly.

“I have to return to Seattle. Something’s come up. I am on my way to Hilton Head

now. Please apologize to your mother – I can’t make dinner.” He sounds very businesslike.

“Nothing serious, I hope?”

“I have a situation which I have to deal with. I’ll see you Friday. I’ll send Taylor to

collect you from the airport if I can’t come myself.” He sounds cold. Angry even. But for

the first time, I don’t immediately think it’s me.

“Okay. I hope you sort out your situation. Have a safe flight.”

“You too, baby,” he breathes, and with those words, my Christian is back briefly. Then

he hangs up.

Oh no. The last ‘situation’ he had was my virginity . Jeez, I hope it’s nothing like that.

I gaze at my mom. Her earlier jubilation has metamorphosed into concern.

“It’s Christian, he’s had to go back to Seattle. He apologizes.”

“Oh! That’s a shame, darling. We can still have our barbecue, and now we have some-

thing to celebrate – your new job! You have to tell me all about it.”

It’s late afternoon, and Mom and I are lying beside the pool. My mother has relaxed to the

point where she is literally horizontal now that Mr. Megabucks is not coming to dinner. As

I lie in the sun, endeavoring to lose the pale, I think about yesterday evening and breakfast

today. I think about Christian, and my ridiculous grin refuses to subside. It keeps creeping

across my face, unbidden and disconcerting, as I recall our various conversations and what

we did… what he did.

There seems to be tidal shift in Christian’s attitude. He denies it but – he admits he’s

trying for more. What could have changed? What has altered since he sent his long email

and when I saw him yesterday? What has he done? I sit up suddenly, almost spilling my

Dr. Pepper. He had dinner with… her. Elena.

Holy Fuck!

My scalp prickles at the realization. Did she say something to him? Oh… to have been

a fly on the wall during their dinner. I could have landed in her soup or on her wine glass

and choked her.

“What is it, Ana, honey?” Mom asks, startled from her torpor.

“I’m just having a moment, Mom. What time is it?”

“About 6:30 p.m., darling.”

Hmm… he won’t have landed yet. Can I ask him? Should I ask him? Or perhaps she

has nothing to do with it. I fervently hope so. What did I say in my sleep? Crap… some

unguarded remark while dreaming about him, I bet? Whatever it is, or was, I hope the sea

of change is coming from within him and not because of her.

I am sweltering in this damned heat. I need another dip in the pool.

As I get ready for bed, I switch on my computer. I have heard nothing from Christian.

Not even a word that he’s arrived safely.

From:Anastasia Steele

Subject:Safe Arrival?

Date:June 2 2011 22:32 EST

To:Christian Grey

Dear Sir

Please let me know that you have arrived safely. I am starting to worry. Thinking of you.

Your Ana. x

Three minutes later, I hear the ping from my email in-box.

From:Christian Grey

Subject:Sorry

Date:June 2 2011 19:36

To:Anastasia Steele

Dear Miss Steele

I have arrived safely, and please accept my apologies for not letting you know. I don’t

want to cause you any worry, it’s heart warming to know that you care for me. I am think-

ing of you too and as ever looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

I sigh, Christian is back to formality.

From:Anastasia Steele

Subject:The Situation

Date:June 2 2011 22:40 EST

To:Christian Grey

Dear Mr. Grey

I think it is very evident that I care for you deeply. How could you doubt that?

I hope your ‘situation’ is in hand.

Your Ana x

PS: Are you going to tell me what I said in my sleep?

From:Christian Grey

Subject:Pleading the Fifth

Date:June 2 2011 19:45

To:Anastasia Steele

Dear Miss Steele

I like very much that you care for me. The ‘situation’ here is not yet resolved.

With regard to your PS: The answer is - No.

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

From:Anastasia Steele

Subject:Pleading Insanity

Date:June 2 2011 22:48 EST

To:Christian Grey

I hope it was amusing. But you should know I cannot accept any responsibility for what

comes out of my mouth when I am unconscious. In fact – you probably misheard me.

A man of your advanced years is surely a little deaf.

From:Christian Grey

Subject:Pleading Guilty

Date:June 2 2011 19:52

To:Anastasia Steele

Dear Miss Steele

Sorry, could you speak up? I can’t hear you.

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

From:Anastasia Steele

Subject:Pleading Insanity Again

Date:June 2 2011 22:54 EST

To:Christian Grey

You are driving me crazy.

From:Christian Grey

Subject:I hope so…

Date:June 2 2011 19:59

To:Anastasia Steele

Dear Miss Steele

I intend to do exactly that on Friday evening. Looking forward to it

;)

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

From:Anastasia Steele

Subject:Grrrrrr

Date:June 2 2011 23:02 EST

To:Christian Grey

I am officially pissed at you.

Goodnight.

Miss A. R. Steele

From:Christian Grey

Subject:Wild Cat

Date:June 2 2011 20:05

To:Anastasia Steele

Are you growling at me Miss Steele?

I possess a cat of my own for growlers.

Christian Grey

CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.

Cat of his own? I’ve never seen a cat in his apartment. No, I am not going to answer him.

Oh, he can be so exasperating sometimes. Fifty shades of exasperating. I clamber into bed

and lie glaring at the ceiling as my eyes adjust to the dark. I hear another ping from my

computer. I am not going to look. No definitely not. No, I am not going to look. Gah!

Like the fool I am, I cannot resist the lure of Christian Grey’s words.

From:Christian Grey