Book 2 - Page 152 (2/2)
”One day, not now.”
”Good. I won't tell anyone. I love you so much, Ana, like my own sister. I just thought... I didn't know what to think. I'm sorry. If you're happy, then I'm happy.” She looks directly at Christian and repeats her apology. He nods at her, his eyes glacial, and his expression does not change. Oh s.h.i.+t, he's still mad.
”I really am sorry. You're right, it's none of my business,” she whispers to me.
There's a knock on the door that startles Kate and I apart. Grace pokes her head around.
”Everything okay, darling?” she asks Christian.
”Everything's fine, Mrs. Grey,” Kate says immediately.
”Fine, Mom,” Christian says.
”Good.” Grace enters. ”Then you won't mind if I give my son a birthday hug.” She beams at both of us. He hugs her tightly and thaws immediately.
”Happy birthday, darling,” she says softly, closing her eyes in his embrace. ”I'm so glad you're still with us.”
”Mom, I'm fine.” Christian smiles down at her. She pulls back, looks at him closely, and grins.
”I'm so happy for you,” she says and caresses his face.
He grins at her - his thousand megawatt smile.
She knows! When did he tell her?
”Well, kids, if you've all finished your tete-a-tete, there's a throng of people here to check that you really are in one piece, Christian, and to wish you a happy birthday.”
”I'll be right there.”
Grace glances anxiously at Kate and me and seems rea.s.sured by our smiles. She winks at me as she holds the door open for us. Christian holds out his hand to me and I take it.
”Christian, I really do apologize,” Kate says humbly. Humble Kate is something to behold. Christian nods at her, and we follow her out.
In the hallway, I gaze anxiously up at Christian. ”Does your mother know about us?”
”Yes.”
”Oh.” And to think our evening could have been derailed by the tenacious Miss Kavanagh. I shudder at the thought - the ramifications of Christian's lifestyle revealed to all.
Holy cow.
”Well, that was an interesting start to the evening.” I smile sweetly at him. He glances down at me - and it's back, his amused look. Thank heavens.
”As ever, Miss Steele, you have a gift for understatement.” He raises my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles as we walk into the living room to a sudden, spontaneous, and deafening round of applause.
<script>