She got back from swimming with the dolphins, and it was nearly three thirty. She used the key card and opened the door to find Mark standing in his boxers in the middle of the room. He jumped at the sound and looked over before getting a cocky smile. She rolled her eyes as she set her things down.
"Where are you going?" She asked trying to ignore how unbelievable hot he looked when he was wearing nothing but his boxers.
"Dinner. Addi is dragging us to some fancy Italian place." He rolled his eyes as she walked into the bathroom.
"Not your style, Sloan?"
"Nope, I'm more of a casual guy."
"Have fun with that."
"You aren't joining us?"
"I told you, I'll get room service."
"If I'm being dragged out, so are you."
"Is that right?" She said with amusement in her voice as she opened the bathroom door. She was just wearing the bikini that was under her clothes. "I don't think so. I've got better things to do than play little Miss. Perfect with my perfect step-sister and her perfect boyfriend."
"But I'll be there."
"Oh yes, and you're my saving grace."
"I can be whatever you want." He smirked suggestively. She rolled her eyes but could manage to suppress a smile.
"I'm still not coming."
"Come on, Meredith. I need a little bit of your… whatever you have going to balance out the perfection. Besides, then I won't have to be the third wheel. Come on, be my date."
"No." She answered walking back into the bathroom not bothering to shut the door. He walked over and leaned against the doorframe. "Besides, you said it yourself, you don't do dates."
"Please, for me?" He pleaded giving her a cute pout. She stared at him out of the corner of her eye before sighing deeply.
"Fine. I'll go. But you owe me."
"I can think of a few ways to repay you."
She glared at him as she pushed him out of the bathroom and shut the door.
--
Mark lied on the bed watching TV waiting until she finished showering, blow drying her hair, and doing her make-up. She soon emerged with a towel wrapped around her body not really paying much attention. He took notice of her attire, but she either didn't notice his attention or didn't care. Her make-up was lightly done that gave her a beautiful glow. Her hair was done in loose curls. Everything made her so beautiful.
"What are we supposed to wear?" She asked looking through the closet at the clothes she had brought.
"She's making us guys wear coat and tie. So…"
"Dresses. Fun… I'm beginning to hate you more and more."
"You know you love me." He laughed as she rolled her eyes. Pulling out a black dress, she looked at it before putting it away. She pulled out a dark purple one.
"What to wear?" She sighed as she put the purple one back.
"What's wrong with that one?"
"Nothing. Just checking out my options. You never know who you'll bump into when you're out in about, so I might as well look hot."
"You've got nothing to worry about." He mumbled not meaning for her to hear, but she did and blushed at the fact.
She grabbed a black, low cut, spaghetti strap dress before disappearing into the bathroom. It didn't take long for her to reappear looking gorgeous. She gave him a soft smile as she walked towards the closet. She picked up a pair of black heels and plopped back on the bed to put them on. She did the clasp around both of her ankles and stood.
"How do I look?" She asked spinning around.
"Hot, really, really hot."
She giggled modestly. "Come on, we better go."
"Yeah. Addison turns into Queen Bitch if we're late to her dinner things." He rolled his eyes as he led her out putting his hand on the small of her back without thinking. When he noticed what he had done, he nervously looked at her. She didn't seem to mind, so he just led her down the hall like that.
"Where are we meeting the happy couple?"
"Lobby." He answered as they got on the elevator. "And just so I know, will I get a good night kiss after our date?" He joked putting emphasis on the word date.
"Depends on how good this date is." She smirked back.
It wasn't a date. But it felt like a date. She was going out to dinner with an amazingly good-looking guy. Sure, she would have to sit across the table from Satan. But if it were any other place, at any other time she would have jumped on the chance. She was sharing a room with him, for Christ sake, and had yet to slip into his bed or even kiss him for a matter a fact. What was stopping her? Half of her was using that he's Addison's best friend of an excuse. Half of her wasn't so sure. He was attractive, sweet in some ways and sarcastic and dirty in others, and funny. He was going to medical school after he graduated, so he had to be at least remotely smart. He seemed to understand what she was talking about when she told him about her family the other night. So what was it that made her just want to sit in the hotel room with him while sharing a large pizza and watching a movie.
She was pulled from her thoughts when the bell on the elevator dinged. Glancing up at him, she found him smiling down at her.
"What are you thinking about?" He asked.
"Who said I was thinking about anything? Besides, why would I tell you?"
"Because I'm your date." He gave her a cheeky grin. She rolled her eyes as he looped her arm with his and they started out towards the lobby.
Addison must have noticed them first because her face looked surprise to see them enter as they did with their arms looped together. It didn't take long for it to register for Derek, but by that point they were standing in front of them.
"You're joining us, Meredith?" Derek said first.
"No, I usually get dressed up and walk out with Mark when I'm going out by myself." She rolled her eyes.
"We're on a date." Mark said with a big, goofy smile.
"Really?" Addison asked with wide eyes.
"Why you don't want me dating your precious best friend, Addison?" Meredith asked.
"Come on, let's go." Derek said leading them away.