Page 34 of You First
No, he couldn’t touch her. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy being near her.
“NOW, WHY AREwe here?” she asked as they moved through the automatic doors into the sporting goods warehouse.
“To get some pepper spray,” he said, taking off his sunglasses and hooking them to his shirt.
Meredith narrowed her eyes at him.
Gray smiled. He didn’t have the heart to tell her the disapproving look didn’t work for her. She was far too cute.
“We cannot just be here for pepper spray. I won’t allow you to pay me for this time if we are.” She might be cute, but she was still fierce. He saw no point in arguing, so he needed to find something to buy. Right now.
He’d never been a hunter, and he didn’t fish much, but Gray liked camping. He’d take Vulcan and Juno, and they’d hike into the woods a good seven or eight miles, where he’d pitch a tent, cook over a fire, and stare at the stars. It was a great way to get through a block in his writing. The last time was in April. He would’ve gone again in October if he’d been well. Camping in Louisiana was only comfortable when it was cool, which meant Gray might never get a chance to do it again.
But Meredith didn’t need to know that.
“I need some new trail shoes.” It was the first hiking item that came to mind, but he didn’t lie. His Merrells had a patch of dry rot at the toe, and they’d need replacing — if he survived his brain tumor.
Meredith nodded, looking determined. “Shoes, it is.” She led the way through the store, and Gray grinned, happy to follow her petite form, even though the fluorescent lights bore into his retinas with steady force. His headache had backed off enough to make the outing bearable, and, if he were being honest with himself, he’d have to admit that he hadn’t thought much about the pain since his shower.
She chose a shoe aisle and disappeared. Gray found her staring up at a wall of choices. She looked up at him with honest brown eyes. “I admit I know nothing about hiking shoes.”
Her candor made him laugh. No pretense. No cloaking. Genuine.
“I like the Capras,” he said, pointing to the lighter-weight Merrells. “They keep my feet dry, and they’re good for stability.”
Meredith stepped forward and picked up the bright blue display model. She peeled back the tongue and peeked inside. “What size?”
“Twelve.”
Her eyebrows leapt, and he watched her gaze dart to his feet and then sweep up to meet his. “You’re really tall.”
“Not really,” he said, grinning down at her. Her eyes were a rare, dark brown. The contrast with her fair skin was stunning. “It’s just a matter of perspective.”
Her left brow lowered, and the right one arched. “Are you implying I’m short?”
Gray shook his head, chuckling. “Never.Shortimplies something lacking. Like being short-changed. I might call you petite, but you’re not short on anything.”
His words startled them both. Meredith blushed, and Gray stammered. “I-I mean, you’re kind and patient… in abundance.”
To deliver them from the awkward moment, he took the display shoe from her, checked the size, and saw it was a ten.
“Let’s hope they have something in stock.”
Twenty minutes later, they stood in the checkout line with a new pair of Merrells, some trail socks, and hand-held pepper spray. When he wouldn’t let Meredith hold the Mace, she argued.
“You’re not paying for that.”
“I think I am,” he countered.
“But I—”
“Let me.” His tone was gentle, but he didn’t leave room for refusal. As far as Gray was concerned, this was only going one way. “I’m the one who’s insisting you have it, anyway.”
Meredith never let her gaze leave his, but she pursed her lips, considering. “Well, that’s true…”
Gray nodded, hiding his triumph. He needed to do this. It wasn’t just about money and who had more. That was part of it, he could admit. And it wasn’t just the need to recompense for her kindness, though this, too, played a part.
He still didn’t like the idea of Meredith walking alone at night, but this small measure of protection might make her a little safer. And it was an urge to provide this protection that spurred him to insist on paying. Though he would rather walk with her instead…
