When we left Ana, she was off to call Kate about Christian agreeing to do a photoshoot. Kate is excited, of course, and inquires as to why Christian was at Ana's tiny hardware store job to begin with.
"'I think that is one huge coincidence, Ana. You don't think he was there to see you?' My heart lurches at the prospect, but it's a short-lived joy. The dull, disappointing reality is that he was here on business." -- except he totally wasn't. and if he was, he came to see you first. because he's fucking crazy.
When Kate asks Ana where they should do the photoshoot, Ana suggests contacting Christian and asking.
"Kate gasps.
'The richest, most elusive, most enigmatic bachelor in Washington State just gave you his cell phone number?'" -- Come on, ELJ. Washington isn't a terrible romcom starring Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes. We have no elusive and enigmatic bachelors. And if we do, in your weird book world, Christian isn't "the most," he's the only.
Kate is insistent that Christian like likes Ana, and Ana gives herself a moment to consider it.
"'Kate, he's just trying to be nice.' But even as I say the words, I know they're not true - Christian Grey doesn't do nice. He does polite, maybe. And a small, quiet voice whispers, Perhaps Kate is right. My scalp prickles at the idea that maybe, just maybe, he might like me. I hug myself with quiet glee, rocking from side to side, entertaining the possibility that he might like me." -- ohhhhkay.
Kate tells Ana that she has to call both Jose and Christian to talk about the photoshoot, even though it's Kate's article and she really should be doing the legwork here. As Ana is hanging up with Jose, her coworker casually asks her on a date, which is I guess a thing that happens quite a lot, even though she always says no. Back at Ana's apartment, Kate gets Jose to agree to doing the photoshoot, and it's time for Ana to call Christian.
"He answers on the second ring. His tone is clipped, calm, and cold.
'Grey.'
'Er . . . Mr. Grey? It's Anastasia Steele.' I don't recognize my own voice, I'm so nervous. There's a brief pause. Inside I'm quaking.
. . . . .
'Um - we'd like to go ahead with the photo shoot for the article.' Breathe, Ana, breathe. My lungs drag in a hasty breath. 'Tomorrow, if that's okay. Where would be convenient for you, sir?'
I can almost hear his sphinxlike smile through the phone." -- I mean, we all know that calling him 'sir' was your first mistake. But. Sphinxlike? You can hear that? Does it sound like this?
They agree on a time and hang up. Kate immediately jumps all over Ana for blushing and "being affected" by Christian and Ana gets mad but makes dinner for Kate anyway. Then, it's time for bed.
"I am restless that night, tossing and turning, dreaming of smoky gray eyes, coveralls, long legs, long fingers, and dark, dark unexplored places." -- Slenderman. You're dreaming of Slenderman.
It's time for the photo shoot. Ana helps Kate and Jose set up, and at 9:30, Christian arrives.
"Holy crap! He's wearing a white shirt, open at the collar, and gray flannel pants that hang from his hips. His unruly hair is still damp from a shower. My mouth goes dry looking at him . . . he's so freaking hot." -- he showed up to your fucking photo shoot in his pajamas. tell him to get bent and go date your coworker. he's cute, and I bet he'll never ask to beat you.
After pleasantries are exchanged and Jose and Christian size each other up to see who gets to court Ana, the photo shoot begins. It takes about 20 minutes, and Christian and Ana lock eyes twice. It's very intense. He then asks her into the hallway and requests that she have coffee with him.
"My heart slams into my mouth. A date? Christian Grey is asking me on a date. He's asking you if you want a coffee. Maybe he thinks you haven't woken up yet, my subconscious whines at me in a sneering mood again." -- this happens often?
Ana runs into the room to switch cars with Kate, and Kate warns her about Christian.
"'Ana, there's something about him.' Her tone is full of warning. 'He's gorgeous, I agree, but I think he's dangerous. Especially for someone like you.'
'What do you mean, someone like me?' I demand, affronted.
'An innocent like you, Ana. You know what I mean,' she says a little irritated." -- they're having coffee, Kate. he's not sacrificing her to an almighty being. I mean. I guess he might. but would that really be such a bad thing?
So, they leave for coffee. They take the elevator down, and Christian grabs Ana's hand. She reminisces briefly that no one has ever held her hand before (which I find terribly sad), and they walk to the coffee house. Ana requests English Breakfast tea, because she doesn't like coffee.
"'Anything to eat?'
'No thank you.' I shake my head, and heads to the counter.
I surreptitiously gaze at him from beneath my lashes as he stands in line waiting to be served. I could watch him all day . . . he's tall, broad shouldered, and slim, and the way those pants hang from his hips . . . Oh my."
You'll never read those words the same way again.
She continues oogling Christian, considering what it might be like to run her hands through his hair, when he's back at the table, asking her about Jose. He's curious to know if either Jose or Paul is her boyfriend, and she says no each time she's asked. She blushes a lot, which I'm convinced is a medical condition at this point, as Christian tells her that she's a mystery to him. He can never figure out what she's thinking. Truthfully, this would be more concerning if he were a mind-reading vampire and hers was the only mind he couldn't read, but as he's just a regular dude, this is pretty standard and I'm not sure why we're mentioning it. The conversation drags on for ages, Christian asks about Ana's parents, and she wonders why he would want to know something so terribly boring. Eventually, Christian sort of accidentally asks Ana if she'd like to go to Paris with him.
"'Would you like to go?'
'To Paris?' I squeak. This has thrown me - wouldn't want to go to Paris? 'Of course,' I concede. 'But it's England that I'd really like to visit.'
He cocks his head to one side, running his index finger across his lower lip . . . oh my.
'Because?'
I blink rapidly. Concentrate, Steele."
They leave the coffee place and Ana asks if Christian has a girlfriend. He doesn't because he doesn't "do the girlfriend thing." She attempts to get her thoughts in order and instead goes sprawling head-first into the street.
"It all happens so fast - one minute I'm falling, the next I'm in his arms and he's holding me tightly against his chest. I inhale his clean, wholesome scent. He smells of freshly laundered linen and some expensive body wash. It's intoxicating. I inhale deeply.
. . . . .
He's staring into my eyes, and I hold his anxious, burning gaze for a moment, or maybe it's forever . . . but eventually, my attention is drawn to his beautiful mouth. And for the first time in twenty-one years, I want to be kissed. I want to feel his mouth on mine." -- YOU HAVEN'T WANTED TO BE KISSED IN THE ENTIRE TIME YOU'VE BEEN ALIVE? WHAT ABOUT BOY BANDS?? WE'RE THE SAME AGE, ANA. DON'T TELL ME YOU NEVER WANTED THIS.
I think Ana's subconscious makes its first anthropomorphic appearance in the next chapter, so get excited for that. Until then, I hope Nick Carter stays with you in your dreams.
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