blowing out a long breath and smiling. “That would be awesome, thank you.”
Troy leaned forward, lifting the white cartons of food from the brown paper sack. “First, you need sustenance. Full bellies lead to productive minds.”
“Where’d you hear that?”
“That’s a Saladino original. It’s how my mom got my sister to eat.”
“I like it.”
He shrugged, looking sheepish. “I’m glad.”
Elle narrowed her eyes as she watched Troy open the steaming cartons of food. This Troy was softer, more approachable and less confrontational than the Troy she spent time with only weeks ago. Perhaps her absence made his heart grow fonder? Time would tell on that. Regardless, she was enjoying their time together already and was so glad he contacted her.
Elle reached for the nearest carton, peering into the container. “You remembered.”
“How could I forget? You never let me order Chinese without crab rangoon. I can’t vouch for this place, though. I haven’t tried it yet.”
“I have. It’s good stuff.” Elle had forgotten to ask him to purchase her favorite appetizer and was blown away Troy remembered anyway. They both remembered so much. But was that enough to move forward? She wasn’t sure. Regardless, the gesture was important to her and she savored it with each bite of the crunchy wontons filled with sweet cream cheese and crabmeat.
“What about a hospital show? People love that stuff.”
Elle grimaced. “There are so many of those, though. Don’t you think?”
“True. I guess I shouldn’t suggest one set in a law firm, huh?” Troy bit down on his bottom lip, widening his eyes and raising his eyebrows toward the ceiling.
“Yeah. I’d like to do something no one’s done. Like Follow the Sun—it was the first drama set in a casino. I need another idea like that, but different.”
“Gotcha. Hmm.” Troy used his chopsticks to scoop a cluster of rice into his mouth. Elle watched with butterflies in her stomach as he chewed. She always loved watching his jaw muscles as he ate. Troy noticed her lingering eye and interrupted her gaze. “What? Do I have something on my face?”
Elle giggled behind her hand, which clutched the carton of kung pao chicken. “No, sorry. I just . . . I like watching you eat.” She could feel her cheeks reddening with her revelation. Thank God they had known each other for more than two decades and he wouldn’t think she was crazy.
“Oh, Rigby.” He shook his head, a smug grin on his handsome face.
“What?”
“What am I gonna do with you?”
Elle’s breath caught and her heart raced. They sat, staring at one another. Elle had no idea what to say to break the tension. But their staring contest was interrupted by a knock on her office door.
“Elle?”
Luke opened the door, his mouth dropping as he took in the sight of Elle and Troy sharing a meal in her office. “Oh, um . . . sorry to disturb.”
Elle jumped to her feet, wiping her mouth with a napkin. “Luke, what—what are you doing here?”
“I’m heading out and I—well, I wanted to say hello. But obviously I’m interrupting, so—” Luke broke eye contact with Elle and her heart sank. She hated putting both of these men in such a precarious situation. Yes, she was honest with both of them. Each of them knew about the other and his presence in her life. But that didn’t keep the guilt at bay. She and Luke were not on the best of terms, but they weren’t exactly over either. Not officially anyway.
“Troy, will you excuse me?”
Troy closed his eyes and sighed, nodding as he looked down at the carton of food in his hands. Elle stood and followed Luke out of the office. When she closed the door behind them, Luke ran his fingers through his hair, looking perplexed, and agitated.
“So you made your choice then?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to, but at least I get it now. The thing with Gina was a great escape clause for you, wasn’t it?”
“What are you saying?”
“You’ve been looking for excuses to push me away, Elle. Admit it—ever since we met. I’m using you, all I want is fame, I’m sleeping with Gina, I’m lying to you, the list goes on and on. But guess what? None of it’s true.”
Elle crossed her arms in front of her chest, feeling Luke’s words penetrate her heart. The sincere tone in his voice made her question everything she thought she knew, everything she assumed to be the truth about the actor.
“You and me on that hammock—that’s what’s true, Elle.