Chapter 66 (1/2)

Shit.

Still no fucking answer!

At 10:00 precisely, there’s a knock on my door. It’s Taylor.

“Good morning,” I say, as he comes in.

“Mr. Grey.”

“How was yesterday?”

“Good, sir.” Taylor’s demeanor shifts, and his expression warms. He must be thinking of his daughter.

“Sophie?”

“She’s a doll, sir. And doing very well at school.”

“That’s great to hear.”

“The A3 will be in Portland later this afternoon.”

“Excellent. Let’s go.”

And though I’m loath to admit it, I’m anxious to see Miss Steele.

THE CHANCELLOR’S SECRETARY USHERS me into a small room adjacent to the WSU auditorium. She blushes, almost as much as a certain young woman I know intimately. There, in the greenroom, academics, administrative staff, and a few students are having pre-graduation coffee. Among them, to my surprise, is Katherine Kavanagh.

“Hi, Christian,” she says, strutting toward me with the confidence of the well-heeled. She’s in her graduation gown and appears cheerful enough; surely she’s seen Ana.

“Hi, Katherine. How are you?”

“You seem baffled to see me here,” she says, ignoring my greeting and sounding a little affronted. “I’m valedictorian. Didn’t Elliot tell you?”

“No, he didn’t.” We’re not in each other’s pockets, for Christ’s sake. “Congratulations,” I add as a courtesy.

“Thank you.” Her tone is clipped.

“Is Ana here?”

“Soon. She’s coming with her dad.”

“You saw her this morning?”