Gray's anatomy reverse

As the group piled into their cars for the drive home, the soft hum of the engine filled the air, and the snowflakes drifted down gently from the sky. Lexie sat in the passenger seat beside Mark, her mind wandering as she gazed out the window. The sight of the snow falling in delicate layers made the world outside feel peaceful, but inside, a small knot of confusion was forming in her stomach.

Mark had said something earlier that stuck with her—something she couldn’t quite shake. He’d mentioned having more dairy-free chocolate back at his place, and how they could bake something together. Lexie’s brows furrowed as she replayed the conversation in her head.

Dairy-free chocolate?

She’d never heard of it. In fact, before she knew she was lactose intolerant, chocolate was chocolate, and there was no distinction. The idea of chocolate without milk felt... foreign. She was sure she’d never even thought to look for it. And yet, Mark had mentioned it like it was the most normal thing in the world. She glanced over at him, trying to piece it all together.

"Hey, Mark," she began, her voice a little hesitant, "You said there was more dairy-free chocolate at your place... but, like... is that a thing? Chocolate without milk?"

Mark glanced at her, a small grin tugging at his lips as he adjusted the rearview mirror. "Yeah, it’s a thing, Lex. It’s made with almond milk or coconut milk instead of cow’s milk. You know, for people who can’t have dairy. I’ve had it before. You might actually like it—it’s got this rich flavor to it."

Lexie blinked, feeling even more confused. He’s had it before?

She tried to remember what she knew about Mark’s past relationships. He’d had a few girlfriends before, but this... this seemed different. He was so comfortable with all of this, with the idea of her having something special because of her lactose intolerance. Had he done this before for them, too? Or was it just her?

She couldn’t help but feel a slight pang of jealousy. The knot in her stomach tightened, and her thoughts began to race. She trusted Mark, of course. But the more she thought about it, the more her insecurities crept in. Had those past relationships been as thoughtful? Did they share these little moments too?

Lexie tried to push the thoughts aside. She didn’t want to seem petty or needy, but she couldn't help herself. Mark was always so kind and thoughtful, but sometimes, when she thought about his past, the jealousy was hard to ignore.

Seeing Lexie lost in her thoughts, Mark’s voice cut through her confusion. "You okay?" His tone was gentle, almost like he could sense the unease coming from her.

Lexie snapped out of her thoughts and looked over at him. "Yeah, I’m fine," she said quickly, forcing a smile. "Just... thinking about things."

Mark reached over and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, his fingers warm against her skin. "You’re not the only one who has a lot on your mind, you know."

Her eyes flickered up to meet his, and for a moment, the unease melted away. His voice was soft, and the way he spoke to her made her feel like he truly understood her, even in moments like this. She wasn’t sure why, but for some reason, hearing him say that made her feel more secure.

The snow continued to fall gently outside, the world softening under the blanket of white. The roads were slick, but Mark drove with ease, his focus steady on the task at hand. Lexie’s thoughts drifted back to the earlier teasing from the rink, how everyone had been so carefree and lighthearted.

And then, a thought slipped into her mind—a thought that was both comforting and thrilling.

Mark had been making the effort with her, hadn't he? The thought of him bringing her dairy-free chocolate, of baking with her... those small gestures meant a lot. The jealousy felt a little silly now.