Page 18 of Stick Side
His smile deepened at the joy she was radiating from something as simple as a personal lunch delivery. “I did,” he confirmed.
“Aww. Thank you,” Melody effused. “That was really thoughtful.”
She was eyeing the bag with curiosity, perhaps wondering at its fairly large size, so he explained, “I wasn’t sure what you liked so I got you a few options to choose from.” Ben thought for a moment, remembering what he’d finally decided on. “Cashew Pad Thai, a turkey burger, and a kale salad with baby spinach, pear, wild rice, and toasted walnuts.”
“Oh my gosh,” Melody said, looking wonderstruck. “That sounds amazing. Thank you.”
“This is where you ask me to marry you,” Ben teased. “I might not be the cook you are, but I can order good takeout with the best of them.”
He enjoyed the sweet smile that greeted his remark.
“Do you have time to sit down for a bite to eat?” Ben inquired.
Melody glanced at her watch. “I do,” she said with a smile. “I have about half an hour until my next appointment.”
“I’ll take it,” Ben declared. At this point, he would take as much of her time as he could get.
“If you’ll follow me?” Melody said.
She guided him down the hall, through a stunningly verdant atrium, and into what looked like a breakfast room. There were small tables set up beside the windowed wall looking out onto the sprawling lawns Samantha had mentioned earlier. With all the well-tended flower beds and perfectly pruned greenery, The Winchester must spend a small fortune on landscaping.
“You really do work in a gorgeous place,” Ben complimented.
“I really do,” Melody agreed as she dipped behind a counter and pulled out two plates and some napkin-rolled cutlery. After depositing them on their table, she walked over to a sideboard, lifted a pitcher of water, and poured them each a glass.
Ben pulled out her chair as she prepared to seat herself.
She cocked her head and surveyed him with curious eyes. “Aren’t you the gentleman.”
“I try to be,” he said with a smile and an understated wink before he pushed in her chair for her.
“Will you join me?” she asked, indicating the takeout bag.
“Sure.” If she wanted to share her meal with him, he was more than up for it. With the physical demands of his job, he could always eat.
Melody dug into the takeout bag with joy on her face. Her eyelids fluttered closed dreamily as she took in the smells of their lunch. “Mmm . . .”
Ben shifted in his seat and tried to ignore the pulse of desire that shot through him at the sound of her pleasure. He turned his focus instead to the food.
Ben hadn’t been sure what to expect of Epi-cure-ian’s food. It had been his experience that health foods could go one of two ways: surprisingly enjoyable or akin to eating Styrofoam. He was happy his selections appeared to fall in the former category rather than the latter.
“Would you like to split the burger with me?” Melody asked as she pulled the burger onto her plate and prepared to slice it in two.
“Sure. Thank you,” Ben said. He was up for trying almost anything if it meant getting to spend more time in her company.
“Kale salad?” Melody asked.
“Why not? Thank you.”
Ben surveyed his plate before picking up his burger and taking a cautious bite.
“Wow, this is good,” he said after he’d finished chewing. “It’s really juicy and well-seasoned.”
Melody laughed gaily. “Don’t sound so surprised.”
Ben offered up a smile but shrugged in acknowledgment of his low expectations. He really had been prepared for Styrofoam.
They ate in companionable silence for a few minutes before he reintroduced conversation.
