Brothers

Chapter 24

Christians POV

"Okay sweetie now please behave for the sitter. No fighting with your sister while we're gone." Anastasia hugs Theodore goodbye.

"But what if she takes my toys again mommy." Theodore whines.

"Be good." Anastasia smiles giving him a quick kiss before walking out of the door.

We head to the car. I nod to my driver as he opens our door and we climb inside.

The nerves start getting to me as we get into the car. This is the first time Hardin and I see hanging out as brothers since we talked about everything.

"Hey. You alright? Anastasia asks, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"What if I say something and it makes him mad." Anastasia takes my hand in hers.

"You'll be fine. We're just going to have dinner." She smiles, settling my nerves.

I let out a deep breath. What do I even talk about? What if I say the wrong thing?

—

Hardin's POV

We pull up to the restaurant. A tall building, vines on the brick in the front. I hold the door open for Tessa as we enter the restaurant.

"Welcome to Altura. Will it just be the two of you this evening?" The hostess greets us at the door.

"We're meeting another couple here. Christian Grey." Tessa smiles at the lady.

She raises her eyebrow and smiles.

"Let me show you to your table." She smiles.

She escorts us to a booth nearby where Christian and Anastasia are waiting. They look up, Anastasia waves us to the table. They get out of their chairs and Anastasia greets Tessa with a warm hug. Christian looks at me and smiles.

"Hey Hardin." Christian says.

"What are you some sort of celebrity here." I joke.

"Basically. I bought out the restaurant last year as an investment."

I raise my eyebrow, shocked by his response.

"Oh shit. Well — dinners on you then." I joke taking my seat.

"So Tessa tell me what you do for work." Anastasia says.

"I'm a wedding planner now." Tessa smiles.

"Oh my god no way. How's that?" Anastasia says sipping on her wine.

"I love it. I used to intern over at Vance publishing. I wanted to be a publisher but."

"Vance as in Christian Vance. Dads old friend?" Christian interrupts.

I look over to Tessa. Christian doesn't know yet that Vance is our real father.

"Yeah that's him. Him and his wife Kimberly are amazing." Tessa smiles at me.

"I haven't seen him in years. I wonder how he is. Does dad still talk to him?" Christian looks at me.

I take a sip of my water glass, looking up at Christian without a word.

"Good evening. My name is Patrick and will be your server this evening. Can I start you off with something to drink?" The waiter comes to the table taking the focus off me. Thankfully.

We take our orders and the waiter leaves the table, Christian returning his attention to me.

"Hardin can we talk outside." Christian says getting up from his seat.