He opens his door and steps out. “Wait for me to help you out of the truck.”
My mouth curves. I grab my purse and wait patiently. A few seconds later, my door swings open. I swivel in my seat and as I’m about to place my foot on the step, he plucks me out of the truck and gently sets me down.
“Careful of your shoulder,” I murmur.
He rolls it a few times. “It’s actually a lot better. I’ve been doing the exercises you gave me, and Sully helped me add a few more.”
I blink, a little shocked he’s kept up with it. Then again, working out and taking care of himself obviously isn’t something new.
“You seem surprised.”
“A lot of my male patients can be pretty stubborn.” Especially the older ones who can’t believe a female has the nerve or credentials to tell them what to do. Then again, Gray has never treated me that way. Probably why it’s been so easy to fall for him.
“I’m not the typical anything,” he says in a low voice.
Did I offend him?
“Definitely not,” I agree.
It’s dark inside the restaurant. Gray steps up to the hostess and murmurs a few words to her. Apparently, he already has a reservation.
We’re led to a table in a quiet corner.
“You take the sitting in the corner with your back to the wall thing to heart, huh?” I say after the hostess leaves.
“Learned the hard way,” he grumbles, picking up his menu.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“It’s fine, Serena. Stop apologizing.”
“I don’t know why I’m so nervous tonight.” I pick up my own menu and run my nail around the metal-tipped corner without opening it.
“I don’t either. We’ve been out before, buttercup.”
There it is. He hadn’t called me buttercup once since picking me up. I slide my hand over the table, resting it over his. “Tonight feels like a date-date.”
“We’ve been ‘dating’ all along, haven’t we?”
“I know.” I shrug.
We both order steaks. As soon as the waiter drops a basket of bread off, I grab a roll. It’s warm and fluffy. I smother it in butter and stuff half of it in my mouth quicker than socially acceptable.
Gray watches me with an amused smile.
“I’m starving.”
“I could’ve picked you up earlier.”
“It’s okay.”
“What’d you do today?”
“Ran over to my place and packed my clothes, shoes, and makeup. Brought back a carload.”
“I told you I wanted to do that with you.”
“You said packing and moving stuff. I assumed you meant the heavy stuff. This was clothes and shoes. If anyone breaks into my apartment, they’re not stealing my Doc Martens or my makeup collection.”
He chuckles. “We can replace your stuff. Not you.”
“Nuh-uh. Some of my Docs are limited editions. You can’t find them anymore. Same for most of my eyeshadow pallets. Priceless.”
His eyes are still crinkled at the corners with amusement. “Is there more there?”
“Yes, but the rest can wait.”
“Good. We can stop there Friday, if you want. I can have a few of the guys meet us if you want to clear out the place.”
“Not yet. I have until the end of the month. Maybe you could help me pack and sort what I’m putting in storage and what I’m keeping, though? That way, I’ll be ready.” I sense he really wants to be able to do something for me and I would like the help.
“Sure thing.”
After our dinners arrive, I spend a chunk of time shoving bits of steak in my mouth. I wasn’t kidding about being hungry all the time. And craving red meat. I should probably mention that to the doctor. Maybe I’m anemic or something.
When I finally finish and set down my fork, I find Gray watching me.
“Do you want me to order something else?”
Heat sears my cheeks. I probably looked like I’d never seen food before in my life. “No, I’m stuffed.”
He slides his hand over the table and covers mine. “I meant to ask…how did this, uh, happen?”
My cheeks grow hotter. “Gray, I think you’re old enough to know how babies are made.”
His serious expression doesn’t change. “I’m serious. I thought—”
“I didn’t do it on purpose,” I say quickly. “When that guy attacked me and I was staying at the clubhouse, I didn’t have my pills with me.” I lean forward and lower my voice. “I’m not sure which day or which night, but you spent a lot of time inside me, so I’m guessing that’s when it happened.”
The corners of his mouth curl and fire burns in his eyes at my reminder. Then the feral expression turns to something more like concern or curiosity. “I thought…even after you stop taking the pill sometimes it takes a long time…”
“Well, apparently not for me.” I bristle, unsure of where he’s going with these questions. “I must’ve been out of it because I didn’t even realize I’d forgotten them until we went to my apartment. But I didn’t know what to say.”