I’m warming more and more to Ethan. He’s passionate about his academic field and excited to be joining the postgraduate psychology program at Seattle U. “Man, you know a lot about this shit,” he says as we await dessert.

I chuckle. “I should. I’ve seen enough shrinks.”

He frowns as if he doesn’t quite believe me. “Really?”

You have no idea.

Elliot stands suddenly, his chair scraping across the floor, the noise ringing over the general level of chatter. We all turn to look at him. He’s gazing down at Kate, and she’s gazing up at him as if he’s grown an extra head. Elliot drops to one knee.

Oh, fuck.

Dude.

Here?

He takes her hand, and I think he has the attention of the entire restaurant. “My beautiful Kate, I love you. Your grace, your beauty, and your fiery spirit have no equal, and you have captured my heart. Spend your life with me. Marry me.”

There’s a collective intake of breath. Ana grabs my hand, and all eyes turn to Kavanagh, who just gapes at Elliot in shock. A tear trickles down her cheek and she splays her hand on her chest, as if she’s trying to contain her emotion. Finally, she smiles. “Yes,” she whispers.

The patrons in the place erupt with cheers, applause, catcalls. This is so Elliot—in a crowded restaurant, in front of everyone. The guy is fearless. My admiration for him grows exponentially. From his pocket he produces a ring box and opens it, showing her the ring inside. Kate throws her arms around him and they kiss.

I laugh as their audience goes wild. Elliot stands, takes a well-deserved bow, and sits down beside his fiancée with a ridiculous grin plastered on his face.

Ana is crying and squeezing my hand.

Shit.

I remember when I first asked her to marry me. She cried then, too. We were on the floor of the living room in Escala, and I had confessed my worst. I wonder what Ethan Kavanagh would make of that if he knew.

Don’t go there, Grey.

Elliot is sliding the ring onto Kate’s finger—which reminds me that I have lost the feeling in mine. I squeeze Ana’s hand, and she lets go, letting the blood rush back into my fingertips. Ana has the grace to look embarrassed. “Ow.” I mouth the word.

“Sorry. Did you know about this?” she whispers.

I give her my best sphinxlike smile and summon the waiter. “Two bottles of the Cristal, please. The 2002, if you have it.” He gives me a wide grin and rushes off.

Ana smirks.

“What?” I ask.

“Because the 2002 is so much better than the 2003,” she teases me.

I laugh. She’s right. But I don’t have to tell her that. “To the discerning palate, Anastasia.”

“You have a very discerning palate, Mr. Grey, and singular tastes.”

“That I do, Mrs. Grey.” I lean closer, catching a trace of her scent. “You taste best.” I kiss the pulse point beneath her ear.

Mia is up and hugging Kate and Elliot. Ana follows.

“Kate, I am so happy for you. Congratulations,” Ana says while she clutches Kate.

I hold out my hand to Elliot, he grins, and he looks so relieved and happy that I pull him into a hug, surprising us both. “Way to go, Lelliot.”

Elliot stills for a nanosecond, no doubt shocked by my sudden display of affection, then he embraces me. “Thanks, Christian,” he says, his voice cracking on my name.

I hug Kate, quickly. “I hope you are as happy in your marriage as I am in mine.”

“Thank you, Christian. I hope so, too,” she says sweetly.

She can be sweet!

Maybe she’s not as annoying as I thought she was.

The waiter opens the champagne and pours it into our flutes. Taking mine, I hold it up to the happy couple in a toast. “To Kate and my dear brother, Elliot—congratulations.”

“Kate and Elliot,” we all murmur.

Ana is smiling.

“What are you thinking about?” I ask.

“The first time I drank this champagne.”

I frown, filing through the myriad memories I have of Ana.

“We were at your club,” she says.

The elevator. I grin. Ana with no panties. “Oh, yes. I remember.” I wink at her.

“Elliot, have you set a date?” Mia pipes up.

Elliot shakes his head, his exasperation obvious. “I’ve only just asked Kate, so we’ll get back to you on that, ’kay?”

“Oh, make it a Christmas wedding. That would be so romantic, and you’d have no trouble remembering your anniversary.” Mia claps her hands.

“I’ll take that under advisement.” Elliot smirks at her.

“After the champagne, can we please go clubbing?” Mia turns and gives me her most pleading look.

“I think we should ask Elliot and Kate what they’d like to do.”

Elliot shrugs and Kate blushes. I think she wants to return home to the seclusion of their room.

I walk to the front of the line with our guests and we’re ushered into Zax, the nightclub that Mia has set her heart on attending. The music is already thumping through the small lobby. I don’t know how long I’m going to last here.

“Mr. Grey, welcome back,” the receptionist says. “Max will take your coat.” Her words are directed at Ana. A young man dressed in black appears at her side. I think he approves of my wife’s appearance—a little too much, for my liking.

“Nice coat,” he says, admiring Ana’s…physique.

I glare at the little prick. Back off, bud.

He hastily hands me a coat-check ticket.