Page 32 of You First
How awful,Meredith thought as she measured out the coffee and filled the decanter. While it brewed, she took a peek in the oven. An hour on warm hadn’t appeared to have destroyed the dish, though the eggs on top might have looked a little drier than she liked. It still smelled delicious, and Meredith hoped Gray would have an appetite. He needed to eat no matter what.
She’d made the casserole after remembering the pitiful state of his kitchen. He didn’t even have fresh bread on hand, much less fruits and vegetables. His refrigerator was free of leftovers, and even the box of Honey Nut Cheerios on the counter stood nearly empty.
That was one thing she could count on at Leona’s. The woman didn’t believe in letting food supplies run low. Not with a son like Jamie. If there wasn’t a meal in the making on the stove, there was plenty to work with in the fridge or the outdoor freezer. And a breakfast casserole had seemed the obvious choice. Gray could eat it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and it would keep well enough in the fridge.
Behind her she heard the bathroom door open. “What smells so good?”
Meredith turned to see him step into the kitchen. Catching him shirtless in bed should have prepared her, but she still felt knocked off balance when she turned to find him filling the doorway. His hair, wet from the shower, fell over his forehead in careless waves and a black button-down dress shirt told no lies about the chest and shoulders she’d seen underneath. Those dark washed jeans seemed to be tailor made for his lean thighs.
He’s my boss. Just like Mr. Simmons,Meredith reminded herself. The thought of Harold Simmons allowed her to speak again. “It’s a breakfast casserole.”
Gray Blakewood had cheekbones that could cause traffic accidents and eyes that smiled before the rest of his face did. And now they were smiling at her. “Where did you get a breakfast casserole?”
The question almost made her laugh. It was that or the tickle of butterflies fluttering in her middle. “I made it. Would you like some?”
“Youmadeit?” His surprise seemed genuine, as did his look of appreciation. He nodded. “Yes, I’d love some.”
Meredith forced herself to look away as she moved toward the cabinet where he kept his plates. “You look like you’re feeling better.” She took down a plate and glanced at him over her shoulder.
“My headaches are worst in the morning. They usually get a little better with a shower,” he said, and then he frowned, gesturing toward the plates. “Make sure you take down two of those.”
Meredith turned to face him. “Why?”
Gray’s brows drew up. “One for both of us. I won’t sit here and eat while you watch me.”
She blinked. “But I made this for you.”
Those brows lowered until he glared, and Meredith felt her insides shrink. “And it’ll feel a lot less like pity if you eat it with me.”
“Right,” she said with a nod.
Despite his glare, the smile in his eyes sharpened, and Meredith learned something important about her new boss. She could take very good care of him if she didn’t act like she were taking care of him.
She wasn’t quite sure how to do that, but Gray Blakewood was worth the effort.
CHAPTER TEN
“ARE THESE TATERtots?” Gray was on his second bite of her breakfast casserole, and it was so good, he almost wept.
Across the island, Meredith ducked her chin, her sweeping lashes lowering over those dark eyes. She was stunning up close. The light spray of freckles across her nose was nothing short of hypnotic. He could stop staring, but he didn’t want to.
“Yes. That’s the easiest way to shortcut the hash browns,” she said, not meeting his eyes, but he saw that the corners of her mouth tipped up.
He took another bite. Gray hadn’t eaten tater tots since college, but they’d been Cecilia’s favorite when they were kids. She’d eat all of hers and then ask for his and Bax’s, making the rounds at the dinner table.
But in Meredith’s dish, cooked with eggs, cheese, ham, and green onions, the crispy potatoes made up the most comforting, satisfying combination. If he chased this with one of her cookies, he might pass out from ecstasy. Gray served himself a second helping while Meredith took her time with the small piece she’d given herself.
“This is incredible,” he said between bites. “Thank you.”
Her smile grew now, and Gray watched her fair cheeks turn pink. She’d already been here longer than an hour, but it was clear she’d spent part of her morning cooking for him. Half grateful, half confused, his question was out before he knew it.
“Why did you do this?”
For a second, she looked surprised, but her face changed from candid to coy before she answered.
“A casserole travels better than oatmeal.”
Gray chuckled. An evasive answer, but clever and free of pity. He could get used to that.
