"Delighted to meet the woman who has finally captured Christian"s heart." Rhian smiles kindly at me.
"Thank you," I mutter, embarra.s.sed again.
"That was one googly you bowled there, Christian," Dr. Flynn shakes his head in amused disbelief. Christian frowns at him.
"John - you and your cricket metaphors." Rhian rolls her eyes. "Congratulations to the pair of you and happy birthday, Christian. What a wonderful birthday present." She smiles broadly at me.
I had no idea Dr. Flynn would be here, or Elena. It"s a shock, and I rack my brains to see if I have anything to ask him, but a birthday party hardly seems the appropriate venue for a psychiatric consult.
For a few minutes, we make small talk. Rhian is a stay-at-home mom with two young boys. I deduce that she is the reason Dr. Flynn practices in the US.
"She"s good, Christian, responding well to treatment. Another couple of weeks and we can consider an out-patient program." Dr. Flynn"s and Christian"s voices are low, but I can"t help listening in, rather rudely tuning out Rhian.
"So it"s all play-dates and diapers at the moment..."
"That must take up your time." I flush, turning my attention back to Rhian, who laughs sweetly. I know Christian and Flynn are discussing Leila.
"Ask her something for me," Christian murmurs.
"So what do you do, Anastasia?"
"Ana, please. I work in publishing."
Christian and Dr. Flynn lower their voices further; it"s so frustrating. But they stop when we"re joined by the two women I didn"t recognize earlier - Ros and the bubbly blonde whom Christian introduces as her partner, Gwen.
Ros is charming, and I soon discover they live almost opposite Escala. She is full of praise for Christian"s piloting skills. It was her first time in Charlie Tango, and she says she wouldn"t hesitate to go again. She"s one of the few women I"ve met who isn"t dazzled by him... well, the reason is obvious.
Gwen is giggly with a wry sense of humor, and Christian seems extraordinarily at ease with both of them. He knows them well. They don"t discuss work, but I can tell that Ros is one smart woman who can easily keep up with him. She also has a great, throaty, too-many-cigarettes laugh.
Grace interrupts our leisurely conversation to inform everyone that dinner is being served buffet-style in the Grey kitchen. Slowly the guests make their way toward the back of the house.
Mia collars me in the hallway. In her pale pink, frothy babydoll dress and killer heels, she towers over me like a Christmas tree fairy. She"s holding two c.o.c.ktail gla.s.ses.
"Ana," she hisses conspiratorially. I glance up at Christian, who releases me with a best-of-luck-I-find-her-impossible-to-deal-with-too look, and I sneak into the dining room with her.
"Here," she says mischievously. "This is one of my dad"s special lemon martinis -
much nicer than champagne." She hands me a gla.s.s and watches anxiously while I take a tentative sip.
"Hmm... delicious. But strong." What does she want? Is she trying to get me drunk?
"Ana, I need some advice. And I can"t ask Lily - she"s so judgmental about everything." Mia rolls her eyes then grins at me. "She is so jealous of you. I think she was hoping one day that she and Christian might get together." Mia bursts out laughing at the absurdity, and I quail inside.
This is something I will have to contend with for a long time - other women wanting my man. I push the unwelcome thought out of my head and distract myself with the matter in hand. I take another sip of my martini.
"I"ll try and help. Fire away."
"As you know, Ethan and I met recently, thanks to you." She beams at me.
"Yes." Where the h.e.l.l is she going with this?
"Ana - he doesn"t want to date me." She pouts.
"Oh." I blink at her, stunned, and I think, Maybe he"s just not that into you.
"Look, that sounded all wrong. He doesn"t want to date because his sister is going out with my brother. You know - he thinks it"s all kind of incestuous. But I know he likes me.
What can I do?"
"Oh, I see," I mutter, trying to buy myself some time. What can I say? "Can you agree to be friends and give it some time? I mean you"ve only just met him."
She c.o.c.ks her eyebrow and I flush.
"Look, I know I"ve only really just met Christian but..." I scowl at her not sure what I want to say. "Mia, this is something you and Ethan have to work out together. I would try the friendship route."
Mia grins.
"You"ve learned that look from Christian."
I flush. "If you want advice, ask Kate. She may have some insight as to how her brother feels."
"You think?" Mia asks.
"Yes." I smile encouragingly.
"Cool. Thanks, Ana." She gives me another hug and scuttles excitedly - and impressively, given her high heels - to the door, no doubt off to bother Kate. I take another sip of my martini, and I"m about to follow her when I am stopped in my tracks.
Elena breezes into the room, her face taut, set in grim, angry determination. She closes the door quietly behind her and scowls at me.
Oh c.r.a.p.
"Ana," she sneers.
I summon all my self-possession, slightly fuzzy from two gla.s.ses of champagne and the lethal c.o.c.ktail I hold in my hand. I think the blood has drained from my face, but I marshal both my subconscious and my inner G.o.ddess in order to appear as calm and as unflappable as I can.
"Elena." My voice is small, but steady - despite my dry mouth. Why does this woman freak me out so much? And what does she want now?
"I would offer you my heartfelt congratulations, but I think that would be inappropriate." Her piercing cold blue eyes stare frostily into mine, filled with loathing.