Bax blinked, and then his eyes smiled. Just like his brother’s. “No,” he said slowly, eyeing her with an expression she couldn’t read. “No, I don’t think so.”
Meredith grabbed two bottles of water from the fridge, napkins and utensils, and carried the most expensive bag of takeout she’d ever seen up the stairs. Gray was frowning fiercely at his laptop screen when she entered.
“Who orders Ruth’s Chris to go?”
He looked up, completely surprised by her presence. And then a smile overtook his face.
“Someone who can’t leave his desk.” Gray stood and stretched, his arms splaying wide. He rolled his broad shoulders and arched his back, and Meredith wondered if he’d moved at all since she’d left two hours before.
“I spoke with your editor. Sweet man. He’s completely on board with everything we need.”
His smile grew. “Thank you.”
“Are you going to take a break to eat?” she asked, setting the food on the little coffee table in front of his loveseat. He looked exhausted.
Gray nodded and rubbed his head. “Yeah, my eyes are…”
She froze. “Your eyes are what?”
He dropped his hands and raised a brow at her. “…tired. My eyes are tired.” He crossed the room to her. “But seeing you helps.”
She bit down on her smile at his line. “You don’t want to go downstairs and eat with your family?”
He shook his head. “No. I want to have dinner with you. Like we planned.” The easy, gentle way he spoke made her shoulders soften. It made everything soften. She sat down on the edge of the loveseat and reached for the takeout bag. Gray claimed the spot beside her and cracked open each bottle of water.
Meredith unloaded two small containers and two entree-sized cartons. “Do you know what we’re eating tonight?” Savory smells teased her, and she felt the pangs of hunger long-ignored.
“I’m assuming it’s what I ordered. Petite filet with roasted Brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes.”
Humbled, Meredith didn’t know what to say. Telling him she’d never been to Ruth’s Chris would have only made her feel even more uncultured, so she didn’t know how to thank him.
“It smells delicious.”
Gray popped open the lid of one of the containers and slid it to her. Her mouth watered. “It seems wrong to eat this out of a to-go box.”
He chuckled. “Want me to go down and get us plates?”
“Uh, no.” She pulled the container closer and handed Gray his napkin and utensils. “I’m not complaining.”
He watched her for a moment and then opened his dinner. “You’re not going to start eating until I do, are you?” He stabbed his filet with a fork and took the steak knife to it.
He was right, but she chose not to respond. Instead she followed his lead and cut herself a bite.
“Mmm…” She moaned, unable to help herself. Seared to perfection and kissed with melted butter, the filet was the best steak she’d ever tasted. “That’s just…wow.”
Gray smiled and wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Do you like Brussels sprouts?”
Meredith tried not to make a face. She could be mature and gracious. “We never had them growing up, but Brooke’s mom steams them all the time.”
“Try one. These are roasted with honey butter and bacon.”
Already guessing that had to be better than steamed, Meredith speared one with her fork and popped it into her mouth. The decadent flavor combination had her rethinking vegetables altogether.
“I don’t think I knew what food was before I met you,” she muttered in ecstasy.
Gray’s laugher echoed off the walls. “Good. Introducing you to the things I like is fun.”
She sampled the potatoes, and when she could speak, she shook her head. “Meanwhile, I’ve got you eating cookies with cornflakes and breakfast casserole with tater tots. I’m such a philistine.”
