Page 4 of Blame It on the Bikini
Josie gave a dismissive, uncaring wave. "That was an accident. I'm sure he won't hold it against us."
"I wouldn't be certain of that. I invited him to join the barbecue, and he said no. And Henry's apology letter didn't make a difference. He's clearly here under duress."
"Why do you think his father made him come here for a month, Josie?" Kaia asked curiously.
Her aunt gave them a somewhat secretive smile. "Grayson's father, Emerson Holt, is a fair man and a smart one, too. If he thinks Grayson can make a better decision after a month with us, then I have to believe it's a possibility."
"If Emerson doesn't want to sell, why did he give the control of this property to his son?" she asked, still feeling like her aunt wasn't being completely forthcoming.
"I'm not sure. But time reveals all. Now, I'm going to get a burger. They smell delicious, don't they?"
As Josie moved toward the grill, Kaia gave her a pointed look. "Your aunt isn't telling us everything. And what was that about time reveals all? Has she been reading the Tarot cards again?"
"She's always doing that," she said with a smile. "But I agree that she's acting very strangely about this whole thing. She's usually open with me about everything. She's not a secretive person."
"Maybe you just think that because she's good at keeping secrets," Kaia said. "She was once an Oscar-winning actress, after all."
"That's true." In her twenties, her aunt had been an award-winning actress, but she'd given it all up after winning an Oscar and divorcing her husband of three years. The events had always seemed intertwined, but her aunt had never been forthcoming on that subject, either. "Secrets or no secrets, Aunt Josie might be right. We need to show Grayson Holt what a great community we have here and hope that will change his mind."
"Sure. A group of friendly people will definitely compete with the millions he could make on this property."
"Stop. I have enough doubts of my own. I don't need yours, too."
"Sorry," Kaia said. "I will do my part to be friendly."
"Thank you."
"I'm sure everyone else will, too, although I'm not sure about our newest tenant, the one who moved into Hunter's old apartment two weeks ago. What's his name again?"
"Jax Ridley. That's all I know. Aunt Josie said he was a friend of a friend, and when I quizzed her about him, she just said she thought he'd be a good fit."
"Maybe everyone who lives in that apartment is destined to start out as a mystery man," Kaia said. "Hunter lived there for months before he started talking to any of us." She paused. "Speak of the devil…"
"You couldn't possibly be talking about me," Hunter said as he and Emmalyn McGuire joined them poolside, their hands intertwined, which always seemed to be the case these days. The past few months had seen their love story only get stronger, and seeing them together made her heart clench. Hunter had been a wounded warrior when he'd first moved into the building, but he'd found healing and love since then. Emmalyn had had to battle her share of demons, too, but now that they were together, they both seemed to be constantly smiling.
"I was just commenting that everyone who moved into your old apartment seems to have a little mystery behind them," Kaia said.
"Really?" Emmalyn asked curiously. "I haven't heard anything about the new tenant. What's the scoop, Lexie?"
She shrugged. "His name is Jax Ridley. That's all I know."
"Ridley is a good name for a riddle," Kaia said with a laugh. "I saw him from afar and gave him a wave. He acted like he didn't see me."
"Maybe he didn't see you," Hunter put in. "And maybe you need to give him a chance to settle in. This group can be a little overwhelming at first. Trust me, I know."
"But you came to love us," Lexie said. "Or at least one of us."
"I love all of you," he admitted, his smile broadening as he glanced at Emmalyn. "But one most of all."
"You're so sweet," Emmalyn said.
"And you two are too much," Kaia said dryly. "I need a drink to tamp down all this sugar."
As Kaia headed toward the bar that had been set up on a nearby table, Emmalyn said, "Is the new owner here? He's coming today, right?"
"He's here. But his entrance was a disaster. Henry hit him in the head with a beach ball, and he fell in the pool, with his phone in his hand."
"That sounds bad," Emmalyn said with worry in her eyes.
