and I know that he did. He summons the waiter.
“Two bottles of the Cristal please. The 2002 if you ha一ve it.”
I smirk at him.
“What?” he asks.
“Because the 2002 is so much better than the 2003,” I tease. He laughs. “To
the discerning palate, Anastasia.”
“You ha一ve a very discerning palate, Mr. Grey, and singular tastes.” I smile.
“That I do, Mrs. Grey.” He leans in close. “You taste best,” he whispers, and
he kisses a certain spot behind my ear, sending little shivers down my spine.
I blush scarlet and fondly remember his earlier demonstration of the quite
literal shortcomings of my dress. Mia is the first up to hug Kate and Elliot,
and we all take turns congratulating the happy couple. I clutch Kate in a fierce
hug.
“See? He was just worried about his proposal,” I whisper.
“Oh, Ana.” She giggle-sobs.
“Kate, I am so happy for you. Congratulations.”
Christian is behind me. He shakes Elliot’s hand, then—surprising both Elliot
and me—pulls him into a hug. I can only just catch what he says.
“Way to go, Lelliot,” he murmurs. Elliot says nothing—for once stunned into
silence—then cautiously returns his brother’s hug. Lelliot?
“Thanks, Christian,” Elliot chokes out.
Christian gives Kate a brief, if awkward, almost arm’s-length hug. I know that
Christian’s attitude to Kate is tolerant, at best, and ambivalent most of the
time, so this is progress. Releasing her, he says so quietly only she and I can
hear, “I hope you are as happy in your marriage as I am in mine.”
“Thank you, Christian. I hope so, too,” she says graciously. The waiter has
returned with the champagne, which he proceeds to open with an
understated flourish.
Christian holds his champagne flute aloft.
“To Kate and my dear brother, Elliot—congratulations.”
We all sip, well, I glug. Hmmm—Cristal tastes so good, and I’m reminded of
the first time I drank it at Christian’s club and later, our eventful elevator
journey to the first floor.
276 | P a g e
E L JAMES
Christian frowns at me. “What are you thinking about
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