Chapter Twelve
Meredith paced the floor of the attendings lounge, still reeling after her confrontation with Jo. She was upset with Jo's accusation that she had never been her friend, but was more upset with herself that she had given her a reason to believe that it was true.
After a few minutes, she had gotten her emotions in check, and then realized she had less than half an hour until she was to meet Alex. He had wanted to pick her up, but since no one knew they were going on a date, this proved to be tricky. As a compromise, he had arranged for an Uber to meet him at the restaurant.
She grabbed the dress she had brought with her from her cubby and hurried to the bathroom to ready herself. Twenty minutes later, she was in date mode. She had selected a black, low cut dress that accentuated her cleavage without being slutty and heels that she felt were too slutty for a mom of three. Her hair was teased up into something resembling sexy and the makeup was doing a good job of hiding the bags under her eyes. "Ah, the life of a surgeon," she mused to herself.
Alex had made reservations at a nice restaurant on the marina, and as she rode to meet him, her heart rate quickened. She took several deep breaths to steady her nerves as the car pulled into the parking lot. He had also just arrived, and she directed the driver to park next to him.
"Wow!" he said, breathlessly, as she got out of the car.
He was dressed in a nice suit and tie. She smiled appreciatively. "Wow yourself." She said as she reached his side. They looked into each other's eyes for a few seconds. He held out his arm.
"Shall we?"
She grinned and took his arm as he lead her into the restaurant. They approached the host, and Alex announced, "Karev. Party of two for eight o'clock."
The host checked his tablet. "Ah, yes. Good evening. Your table is right this way." He lead them to a round, bistro-like table with a picturesque view of the marina. Moonlight illuminated the smattering of boats that bobbed gently on the water.
After they were seated and handed menus, Meredith leaned into him. "Alex this place is beautiful. How did you hear about it?"
"A patient's mother was telling me about it a while ago. She said it was the most romantic restaurant she'd ever been to, and if I had someone special, I should take them here. When I asked you out, I knew this is where I was going to take you." He paused. "I've never wanted to come here until now."
She smiled at him, feeling heat creep into her cheeks. She felt silly for blushing, especially since she had known him for what seemed like forever, although she had never known him in this way. She thought back to their kiss that morning, and felt herself getting flustered. She cleared her throat. "How was your day?" she asked, then immediately chuckled. It seemed such a strange question for her to ask him.
He joined in her laughter. "Yeah, that's a little weird."
"Yeah."
He reached across the table and took her hand, growing serious. "I moved out of the loft this afternoon."
She wanted to know more, but at that moment, the sommelier came and took their wine order.
When he had gone, she squeezed his hand. "Are you okay?"
He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze back. "I'm fine."
She looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
He sighed lightly. "I'm a little sad, sure. But honestly, I'm more relieved. We weren't right for each other. We weren't for a long time. And if it got me here with you, it was more than worth it. We're good together, Mer. I think we can be great together."
The words hung in the air as the sommelier arrived with their wine selections, and spent a minute pouring the wine and discussing it with them. Meredith never took her eyes off of Alex. Finally, they were alone again.
He smiled at her. "I, uh, couldn't stop thinking about you all day." He said, quietly.
She grinned at him. "Yeah, I couldn't stop thinking about you, either. And I had to operate with Bailey!" she said on a laugh.
He laughed heartily at that. "I hope it was a quick surgery."
"A freaking whipple!"
They both laughed for a few minutes at that. They were interrupted again, this time by the waiter arriving to take their orders. They both ordered a steak, as it was highly recommended by the mother of Alex's patient.
Once again alone, they quieted down and stared at each other, drinking each other in, becoming comfortable in their new roles. Meredith would occasionally glance down, then look back up at him. She would tuck a loose piece of hair behind her ear, or take a small sip of wine and then look back at him. Each time, his breath caught in his throat and he silently cursed the table that separated them, wanting so badly to kiss her.
She watched him as every once in a while the corners of his mouth would turn up into the slightest of smiles when she would venture to make eye contact with him. She could tell even when she looked away that he never did. She silently cursed the table, but was also glad for its presence, as she so badly wanted to kiss him – and was afraid that once she did, she would not be able to stop.
Their meals arrived, and they talked about surgeries and the kids and everything in between, except what they wanted to talk about. That would need to happen in a much more private setting. They reached for the pepper at the same time, their hands brushing against each other's. There was no mistaking the heat they both felt. When the waiter arrived to ask if they would be having dessert, they didn't even look at him as they both declined, and Alex asked for the check.
Once he had paid the check, he escorted her from the restaurant with his hand in the small of her back, which sent electricity zinging up her spine.
"Let's go for a walk," he suggested.
Not ready for their evening to be over, she agreed.
They followed the walkway around the side of the building which led to a scenic overlook of the marina. They stood side by side, staring out at the water. The backs of their hands lightly swept the other's, the night concealing their smiles as they enjoyed the tingle of excitement that followed the innocent contact.
"I don't know if I could ever live on a boat," Alex mused, as they watched the houseboats moored in the marina. He was searching for something, anything, to distract him from how badly he wanted to kiss her.
"Oh, I know I couldn't," answered Meredith. A sudden breeze blew through, and Meredith wrapped her arms around herself against the chill.
Alex noticed, and took his jacket off. "Here" He turned her to him, and reached around her back to wrap his jacket around her shoulders. He rubbed her arms to generate warmth, pulling her closer in the process.
"Thanks." She smiled up at him.
He took a small step towards her, giving her his trademark grin. "You're welcome. So, was this date a success?" He asked.
"So far, I'd have to say yes. But I feel like there's more to come."
He took another step towards her. "Maybe we should continue this at your place."
He was close enough for her to feel his hot breath on her neck. She inhaled his masculine scent of leather and cedar. The essence had proved to be a source of comfort through the years. Tonight, it stirred up a different emotion.
"I think that's a good idea." she said on a whisper.
"It's the right thing to do." He breathed her in, prolonging the urge to kiss her, the light lavender aroma a panacea for his nerves. The fragrance had long been familiar and welcome. But now, it was more; it was intoxicating.
She turned her face up to him, and temptation could no longer be denied. His lips brushed hers, barely, hovering for a second before pressing them to hers. His teeth took hold of her bottom lip as her hands went up to his hair. He felt her mouth open to him, and his tongue met hers with a fiery urgency. His hand went to her hair, gripping it passionately, while his other hand slid down to her slight waist. He pulled her to him, and her hand went around his neck and she held him to her.
As his tongue swirled with hers, so swirled her thoughts. She replayed his words from the restaurant. I think we can be great together. If this kiss was any indication, she knew he was right. She'd had her share of good kisses, even great kisses. This kiss, she thought, was more than that. It was magic.
A light rain had started to fall, amplifying the chill in the night air. Reluctantly, she broke from the kiss.
"Okay, okay," she sighed and pressed her hand gently to his chest. She smiled at him seductively.
"Ready to head back?" he asked, returning the smile.
"Yeah, let's get out of here."
They headed back towards the car, his arm wrapped securely around her shoulders.
