He turns to the station, grabs the tongs, drops a plain bagel onto his tray—then another onto a small plate.
He doesn’t hand it to me.
He doesn’t watch me like it’s a test.
He sets it down on the counter near me and says, easy, “There. Bagel acquired. You can pretend you’re not being assaulted by options now.”
A laugh tries to escape my chest. It gets caught halfway. I manage a small huff instead.
Grayson’s mouth quirks. “That was almost a laugh.”
I narrow my eyes. “Don’t. You’re starting to sound like Weston.”
“I won’t,” he says immediately—serious, like he understands my rule. Then he goes light again. “You want cream cheese or butter? I’m team butter, but I respect all religions.”
Butter is safe. Butter is familiar. Butter is…scary on a bad day. My throat tightens. I stare at the butter packets like they’re radioactive. Grayson doesn’t stare at me. Doesn’t make it a thing. He just grabs two and sets them beside the bagel.
“Optional,” he says. “Like Weston’s opinions.”
The way he says Weston’s name makes me blink.
“You talk about him like he’s a disease,” I say, because sarcasm is safer than gratitude.
Grayson snorts. “Heisa disease, but a lovable one.”
Something tiny loosens in my chest. I take the plate. My hands shake a little—but less than before.
“Thanks,” I say, quietly.
Grayson’s gaze flicks up, soft for half a second. “Yeah.”
Then he glances toward the exit. “I’ve got a meeting in five. If I’m late, Kai will do that calm-disappointment thing, and I’ll spiral.”
I blink. “Kai spirals you?”
“Kai spirals everyone,” Grayson says solemnly. “It’s a gift.”
My mouth twitches. Grayson notices. Files it. Doesn’t point.
He nods at my plate. “Eat here or take it with you. Whatever works.”
Whatever works. Not what’s best. Not what I should do. Just…whatever works.
My throat tightens because my brain keeps trying to interpret kindness as a trap.
I nod once. “Okay.”
Grayson shifts his tray and starts to move past, then pauses like he remembers something.
“Oh,” he adds, shrugging, “Kai’s going to be offended if he finds out I committed bagel crimes without him.”
My stomach flips.
“Kai doesn’t need to know,” I say too fast.
Grayson’s eyes flick to mine, amused. “Your secret is safe with me.”
Secret.
