Brightness blinds my eyes, and I yank up my covers to shield them. I feel hands trying to pull them out of my grasp, and I groan. Kate appears in front of me, already all dressed and ready to take on the day. Meanwhile, I'm still dazed from sleeping and my hair's an mess.

"Get up!" she screams, and I shush her.

"You're going to make me go deaf." I raise up in my bed. She moves away, and goes into my closet, reaching for clothes. "What are you doing?"

"We're having a girl's day."

"Yay." I mutter.

"Way to sound super enthusiastic." Kate says sarcastically, tossing an outfit for me onto my bed.

"I am not wearing that."

"Yes, you are. It's cute, and I'm nice enough to let you borrow my black knee high boots."

"But, I hate wearing skirts. Can't I just wear a nice pair of jeans?" I raise my brow, chewing on my lip.

"Nope. Now, get moving!" Kate slaps my ass on the way out.

"Why do you get to wear jeans?" I yell from my bedroom, but hear no response.

I drag myself out of my bed, and place on the clothes Kate picked out. Which is a long sleeved white sweater with a tan, buttoned up skirt, and paired with her black boots. I keep my makeup natural, and leave my hair in long waves.

Kate is in the kitchen, making herself a coffee to go. I announced my presence as I drop my purse and phone on the table. She hands me the tea that she has made for me, and I take a small sip.

"So, how was your night last night?" Kate asks, and I shrug.

"Nothing special." I glance down at me, not wanting to look directly at my best friend.

"Then why did I find a certain man's handkerchief on the couch?"

"What?" I distinctly don't remember him leaving that behind.

"Don't be coy with me, Ana. Who did you have over?" I bite my lip, and sigh.

"Christian Grey." I whisper.

"Grey? Christian Grey?" Her eyes widen.

"No, Barney the Dinosaur." I roll my eyes. "Yes, him."

"You two seeing each other?"

"It's really complicated." I reach for the bread to make myself some toast, and Kate leans against the counter. Her eyes deeply observing me as she drinks her coffee.

"What are you not telling me?"

"He wants to date me, and I'm just not all about it. My father works for him, and plus, the man lives in Seattle. It just wouldn't work out." She raises her brow.

"I know what you're going." I feel taken back and glare at her.

"I'm not doing anything."

"You're making way too many excuses to date this guy." I shake my head.

"I am doing no such thing." Kate sets down her coffee, and places both of her hands onto my shoulder. She looks into my eyes, and I can't look away.

"Ana, not all guys are like Stefan." I close my eyes, and take a deep breath.

"This is not at all about him."

"You're lying straight to me, and to yourself. It's exactly about him, and if you keep comparing every guy to him, you're going to end up alone."

"Way to make me feel better, Kate." I murmur, turning away from her.

"I'm sorry, but it's true. It's been two years, Ana."

"I know, I know."

"I think you should consider dating Christian." I groan. She snaps her fingers in my face to pay attention to her. "You don't have to marry the guy. Just get to know him, and see where it goes."

"Well, I don't know if I want to. After, what happened last night."

"What happened?" I finish making my toast, and take a large bite.

"He left abruptly after a phone call."

"Did he answer it?" I shake my head.

"No, just saw the contact name and then said he had to go. Helped himself out and was gone."

"Maybe it was a work emergency, and he had to take care of it." Kate suggests, and I roll my eyes.

"I doubt it. He immediately acted cold and distant. It had to be something else, something personal."

"Well, you should call him."

"Not a chance. I'm not the type of girl to call a guy and plea for him to tell me why he left so suddenly." Kate shrugs.

"Or just text him that he left behind his handkerchief. Which makes me question who the hell still carries around an handkerchief these days?" I chuckle.

"Rich guys, apparently."

I finish the rest of my toast and my tea. Kate cleans up the mess I made, meanwhile I run into the bathroom to brush my teeth. I fix up my nude lipstick, and meet Kate back into the living room. She slides on her pink high heels and we're out the door.

We spend the early part of our girl's day getting our nails done, and doing some retail shopping. Until, I receive a call from my dear old father repeatedly asking me to go to his house to pick up sheet music he forgot on his way to the recording studio. Of course, I say if he asked Cal and Toby to help out, but replied that they're too busy.

So I find myself cutting Kate and I's day short, and on my way to drop off Ray's sheets. The ride to the studio doesn't take too long and I park next to some black Audi. I run inside, and try to find where Ray would be recording, but his loud voice helps me know where to go. I knock on the door, and I'm guessing his producer lets me in.

"Ana, Banana!" Ray yells, dropping his headphones down and coming to embrace me.

"Hi, Dad." I mumble into his cigarette stained shirt.

"Best daughter in the world to bring these to me." He messes with my hair, and I smile awkwardly.

"Don't tell, Cal." I whisper, crossing my arms.

"Wanna stick around and watch me, kiddo?"

"I actually have plans." Ray's face drops for a second, but then covers it up with a chuckle. "Maybe next time, Dad."

"Yeah, definitely!" I nod, and can't get out of there fast enough.

I glance around the place on my way out, and it has some character. Before I make it outside, I find Christian coming towards me from the opposite way. Shit! What do I do? I sprint towards the door, hoping to get out of here without speaking.

"Ana?" I shut my eyes and stand still, with my back to him. I bite the bullet, and turn around.

"Christian, hey!" He approaches me, slowly. Dressed in a businesslike suit with a nice gray tie, looking so incredibly hot.

"How are you?"

"I'm great, good!" I feel so uncomfortable in this situation. "And you?"

"Yeah, good. But, I want to apologize about last night."

"Oh, no need to." I wave my hand, trying to not make it a big deal.

"I was rude, and left you without a reason to my actions."

"It's fine! I get it." Christian slides his hands into his pockets, and sighs.

"I like you, and I would really like to spend more time with you." I bite my lip.

"Christian, we've talked about this." He nods.

"I know we did. But please, just give me a chance, Ana." I take a deep breath, thinking of Kate's words to me this morning. "Just get to know him, and see where it goes."

"Fine, one chance." He smiles, and I can't help but grin.

"Then, I'll pick you up at eight tonight." I shake my head.

"No, I get to choose where we go and what we do." I decide I want to do this under my terms, needing some kind of protection.

"Sounds good to me. What time should I pick you up?" Christian asks.

"Seven. And I'll be picking you up. See you later." I back away, and leave him probably completely confused. Now, I need to plan what we're exactly going to be doing for this date.