Total pages in book: 262
Estimated words: 268603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1343(@200wpm)___ 1074(@250wpm)___ 895(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 268603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1343(@200wpm)___ 1074(@250wpm)___ 895(@300wpm)
“Harassing you?” I amble over to her, trying to hide my amusement.
She half smiles. “Yes. Harassing me.”
“You were flustered, if I recall. And that young boy was all over you. What was his name?”
“Paul.”
“One of your many admirers.”
She rolls her eyes, and I cannot help my smile. I plant a quick kiss on her lips. “There’s my girl.” I knew she couldn’t be far away. “Get dressed. I don’t want you getting cold again.”
Ana is not seduced by the food I ordered. She eats two fries and half a crab cake, but that’s all. Sighing in disappointment, I watch her leave the table and head back into the bedroom. I know I can’t force her to eat, but it worries me when she doesn’t. While I debate what to do, I text José to invite him and his father to Ana’s surprise birthday dinner if—and it’s a big if—it goes ahead tomorrow and if José Senior is up for it, too.
At my laptop I check e-mails. There’s one from Carrick.
From: Grey, Carrick
Subject: Drunk Driver. Astoria PD.
Date: September 9 2011 17:42
To: Christian Grey.
Will do. Your mother should be in Portland now.
Dad.
Carrick Grey, Partner
Grey, Krueger, Davis, and Holt LLP
This is good news. My mom should be with Ray by the time we’re back at the hospital.
When Ana returns to the living room, she’s wearing a light blue hooded sweatshirt, chucks, and jeans. “Ready,” she murmurs. Maybe it’s because she’s sad and anxious, and her face is pale, but she looks younger.
But then, she’s still only twenty-one.
“You look so young—and to think you’ll be a whole year older tomorrow,” I murmur.
Her sad smile tears me in two. “I don’t feel much like celebrating. Can we go see Ray now?”
“Sure. I wish you’d eat something. You barely touched your food.”
“Christian, please. I’m just not hungry. Maybe after we’ve seen Ray. I want to wish him good night.”
José is leaving the ICU as we arrive. “Ana, Christian, hi.”
“Where’s your dad?” Ana asks.
“He was too tired to come back. He was in a car accident this morning.”
I think that’s José’s idea of a joke as he forces a grin.
“And his painkillers have kicked in,” he continues. “He was out for the count. I had to fight to get in to see Ray, since I’m not next of kin.”
“And?” Ana’s voice cracks with anxiety.
“He’s good, Ana. Same, but all good.”
She nods, relieved, I think.
“See you tomorrow, birthday girl.”
Hell. Don’t blow the surprise!
“Sure. We’ll be here,” Ana responds.
José glances at me, then pulls her into a brief hug, closing his eyes as he holds her. “Mañana,” he whispers.
Dude. Are you still holding a torch for my wife?
He releases her, and we wish him good night, watching him walk down the corridor toward the elevators.
I sigh. “He’s still nuts about you.”
“No, he’s not. And even if he is…” She shrugs. She doesn’t care. “Well done,” she says.
What?
“For not frothing at the mouth,” she clarifies, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Even now, she’s making fun of me. “I’ve never frothed!” I try to sound offended, but her lips twitch in a slight smile, which was my intention. “Let’s see your dad. I have a surprise for you.”
“Surprise?”
“Come.” I take her hand.
My mother is standing at the end of Ray’s bed, her head bowed, as she listens to Dr. Crowe and a woman dressed in scrubs. Grace perks up when she sees us.
“Christian.” She kisses my cheek, then hugs my wife. “Ana. How are you holding up?”
“I’m fine. It’s my father I’m worried about.”
“He’s in good hands. Dr. Sluder is an expert in her field. We trained together at Yale.”
“Mrs. Grey.” Dr. Sluder shakes Ana’s hand. She has a soft southern accent, her words sounding like a lullaby. “As the lead physician for your father, I’m pleased to tell you that all is on track. His vital signs are stable and strong. We have every faith that he’ll make a complete recovery. The brain swelling has stopped and shows signs of decreasing. This is very encouraging after such a short time.”
“That’s good news,” Ana says, a little color returning to her cheeks.
“It is, Mrs. Grey. We’re taking real good care of him. Great to see you again, Grace.”
“Likewise, Lorraina.”
“Dr. Crowe, let’s leave these good people to visit with Mr. Steele.” Crowe follows Dr. Sluder out of the ward.
Ana looks down at Ray, who is still sleeping peacefully. Grace takes her hand. “Ana, sweetheart, sit with him. Talk to him. It’s all good. I’ll visit with Christian in the waiting room.”
“How’s she doing?” Grace asks.
“It’s hard to tell. She’s bearing up, but I know she’s extremely anxious. She’s normally so strong.”
“It must be a shock to her, darling. Thank heavens you’re here with her.”
“Thank you for coming, Mom. What you said was really reassuring, and I’m sure it made a huge difference to Ana.”