Page 43 of Blame It on the Bikini
"If you don't want to sell it, Dad, why don't you just say that?" he asked with annoyance.
"It's not that simple. I have a meeting, Grayson. I'll talk to you later."
His father was gone before he could utter another word. He tossed the phone down in disgust. He didn't understand what it was he was supposed to get out of this entire experience. But his father had always been good at getting what he wanted and now was no exception. If he was going to get what he wanted, then he had to stick it out. He just needed to stop getting so involved with everyone, especially Lexie. She was starting to take up more and more of his time. Even when he wasn't with her, he was thinking about her, and last night's shared experience had only bonded them more.
He leaned back in his chair, staring at his computer screen without seeing it, when he heard someone outside. No one knocked or rang the bell. Instead, a large envelope was slipped under his door. He got up and walked over to pick it up.
Opening the flap, he pulled out a photo with a sticky note attached. "A small preview. Can't wait to show you more, Lexie."
The photograph was one she'd taken of him standing in the entrance to the cave, the filtered light creating a magical, mystical feeling, and the expression on his face was one of wonder and bemusement, which described exactly how he'd felt that day.
He stared at the picture for a long, long time, because it wasn't just how detailed, how absolutely perfect the composition was; it was because he barely recognized himself. The man in this photo felt more like an adventurer than a businessman, more like someone who was a part of nature, not a part of buying and selling buildings. This guy looked like he'd suddenly discovered another side of himself.
He didn't want to see that side. He put the picture back in the envelope. But even tucked away, the image lingered—and he knew that was exactly why Lexie had given it to him.
Chapter Eleven
Somehow, Grayson managed to avoid Lexie for four days. They'd exchanged a few texts with her inviting him to see the rest of the photographs, but he'd told her he had a busy week and would have to catch up with her on the weekend.
He'd spent most of the week at a local workspace, where it was easier to concentrate on business. Then he'd grab dinner out and head home around nine. Usually by then, the courtyard was empty, so there was less of a chance he would run into people. That was his new plan—stay at Ocean Shores but keep his distance.
After parking his car in the lot, he walked into the courtyard and ran into Brad, who was holding his beautiful baby daughter in his arms. "You're home," he said.
Brad gave him a beaming smile. "We are. This is Amanda Jane Morrison." He pulled the blanket away from her face to give Grayson a better look.
"She's beautiful," he said, amazed by the beauty of her perfect, tiny features and her dark hair. "How's Serena feeling?"
"Tired but good. She wanted to go to bed early tonight, and this little princess was not cooperating, so I thought I'd bring her outside. She quieted down as soon as the fresh air hit her face."
"She's looking all around," he commented, noting the baby's wide-eyed look of wonder. "Taking everything in."
"She does that a lot, especially at night. The doctor said her days and nights are mixed up. I'll be happy when that changes," he said, stifling a yawn. As the baby started to fuss, he said, "I better keep walking. She likes to move."
"Have a good night." He was about to head up the stairs when he heard a loud banging noise coming from the direction of Lexie's apartment. He walked around the pool, realizing the clanging sound was actually coming from the apartment next door, which belonged to Kaia. Her curtains were partly drawn, with only a dim light glowing inside.
He put his hands on the window as he looked into the room, wondering where the banging noise was coming from. It didn't appear that Kaia was home, and Lexie's apartment looked dark, too. He needed to get Josie to open the door so they could see what was happening.
As he started to turn around, a man grabbed his arms and shoved him up against the window frame.
"What the hell?" he swore, struggling to get away, but the man was strong and determined.
"Who are you?" the man demanded in a sharp voice. "What are you doing peering through my sister's window?"
Grayson tried to turn around, but the man's grip tightened. "I heard a noise?—"
"I asked who you are." The man spun him around, and Grayson found himself face-to-face with a tall, broad-shouldered guy who had cop written all over him, even in jeans and a T-shirt.
"Grayson Holt. I live here. And I was looking in Kaia's window because I heard a banging noise."
"Ben! What are you doing?" Kaia yelled as she jogged down the hall in her paramedic uniform, keys jangling in her hand. And right behind her was Lexie.
"I caught this guy looking in your window," Ben said.
"Because something is going on in your apartment, Kaia," Grayson interjected. "If you would all just listen for one second."
As they fell silent, the banging from inside became very clear.
"Oh, my God! What is that?" Kaia asked. "Is someone in there?"
