Page 45 of Full Strength

Grant nodded. “It’s tough, but Eli’s the clear winner.”

I shook my head and went to spread out the food. The smell of pulled pork and brisket hit me first. “This smells amazing.” I pulled out containers one after another. “Is anyone else coming?”

He walked over and stood across the island from me, still cuddling Eli. “No, why?”

“This is a ton of food.”

“It’s the very best kind of leftovers, so I figured whatever we don’t eat can be lunches for a few days.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Are you trying to be sneaky about buying me groceries?”

He cocked up an eyebrow. “Who said I was leaving them here?”

I laughed and sighed. “Fair enough.” I got out two plates, forks, and cups before starting to dish it out.

I opened one container and almost cried. “You got cinnamon rolls?”

He beamed. “Dessert.”

“I’ve been craving one of these for months.”

“Why didn’t you just go get one?”

“Cause you can’t ever just buy one. It’s always packs of six or twelve.”

“So?” He asked sounding genuinely confused.

“I can’t eat that many alone.” He didn’t seem convinced. “Fine, I shouldn’t eat that many.”

“Well then, now you know where you can get singles.”

I patted my stomach. “Get ready to grow.”

He laughed and dished up his own plate, piling it high with baked beans, mashed potatoes, macaroni salad, and meat. I envied all he could eat without it going straight to his hips, but that was the reward for practicing and training for hours every day.

I made a much smaller version and sat down across from him. I’d stopped offering to hold Eli or put him in his high chair a long time ago. Grant wanted to hold him as much as he possibly could, even if it meant eating slower and constantly reaching for toys Eli dropped.

As much as I knew I shouldn’t get any fantasies about us in the future, it was hard when I saw how perfect they were together. Eli adored Grant. He was all smiles anytime Grant was around. It was as annoying as it was useful. I knew I could count on a few hours without crying when he was around.

And there went my mind again envisioning this being a permanent reality. We weren’t there yet. The two of us were the last people that could jump into a relationship too soon. He had his team and career to focus on and I couldn't afford to make mistakes that would hurt Eli.

We had to be cautious and mature.

“Did everything go smoothly after we left?” I blinked and looked up at Grant. It took me a second to connect what he was talking about.

“Yeah, they were really great about putting things back the way they were. It was almost like they’d done it before.”

Grant laughed. “They were pretty professional. I was surprised how they all managed to hold back until the photographer said it was a wrap. I thought we’d met a group of people that didn’t care who we were, but really they were just good at their jobs.”

I was grateful for that as well. I was sure the guys would have felt uncomfortable if the crew had gushed over them when they first walked in. I’d have to send a thank you and praise to Walker tomorrow.

“Do you know when it’s going to be published?”

I shook my head. “I’m not sure. Probably a few months at least. I’ve never worked with a magazine so I don’t know how far in advance they shoot.”

“It varies. I’ve done shoots that are included in the next edition or I don’t see the images for six months.”

“Six months? I can’t wait that long!”