Page 11 of Blame It on the Bikini
"Lexie, I'm fine. Stop worrying. In fact, why are you worrying?" he asked, sending her a speculative look. "You hate my guts, don't you? Seems like you'd be more concerned about the damage to the hood of that car than to my head."
"I wouldn't say I hate you. That's a little strong. And I certainly don't want to see you hurt."
"Afraid I'll hold it against you? That it will make me want to sell even more?"
She let out a breath, thinking this move was a mistake. "Believe it or not, I just wanted to make sure you were all right. I didn't think about it beyond that. You were nice enough to give me a ride to the wedding this morning, and I felt guilty for surprising you and making you bump your head. That's it." She held out the ice pack. "Take it or leave it."
He took it from her hand. "Thank you."
She could leave, but instead, she lingered in his doorway. "I was surprised to see you working on Frank's car. You don't seem like a man who likes to get his hands dirty."
"Like I told you this morning, you don't know anything about me."
"I guess I believe that more now. Just like you don't know that much about me. We've both made assumptions, wouldn't you say?"
"Probably." His gaze dropped to her shirt, tipping his head at the purple stain streaking across her blouse. "Rough day at the wedding?"
She glanced down and then nodded. "Three-year-old with purple icing on her very sticky fingers."
"Sounds like fun."
"Fun isn't the word I'd use. But it's over, and I got great shots. In the end, everyone will be happy with the pictures."
"Then it was a successful job."
"It was."
"Good. By the way, I told Frank your battery was dead. He gave me jumper cables, and I put them in the back of my car. I can give you a jump, if you want."
Heat flooded her cheeks as his innocent offer sent her mind in a direction that it shouldn't go. Clearing her throat, she said, "That would be great. But you should rest your head. You don't need to do that now."
"Why don't you give me an hour to clean up, and then we can get your car running?" he suggested.
She was surprised again by his generous offer. "Are you sure you're up to it?"
"I am, and I suspect you're going to need your car at some point."
"Tomorrow morning, in fact," she admitted.
"Then let's do it tonight. Unless you have other plans. You will need to drive it around for a while to charge the battery. Are you up for that?"
"Sure." She hesitated again, then said, "Since I'll have to drive somewhere, do you want to come with me? I can take you to dinner. There's this great new restaurant that two of our residents, Madison and Gabe, opened last year. They usually work Saturday nights. You could meet them, and their food is fantastic." Grayson didn't immediately respond, and she couldn't help pushing. "I owe you for the ride this morning and for helping me with the car. Please say yes. I don't really want to owe you."
A slow smile spread across his face at her words. "In that case, I will say yes. Then we'll be even."
"I'll meet you in the parking lot in an hour."
"See you then."
As she turned away from his door, she felt both happy and worried about her impulsive invitation. But considering how bad things had gone so far, tonight could only be better. At least, that was the hope…
Chapter Four
An hour later, Grayson grabbed Frank's jumper cables from the trunk of his car as he questioned his decision to accept Lexie's dinner invitation. He'd showered, changed into dark jeans and a button-down shirt, and tried to convince himself this was simply a good business strategy. Getting to know Lexie and the other residents would help him craft a more compelling relocation package when the time came.
At least, that's what he told himself. But as Lexie emerged from the building in a sundress that somehow managed to be both casual and elegant, dark-brown hair flowing in beautiful waves over her shoulder, her face lit up by the setting sun, he knew his interest in her went beyond business. He found himself staring at her far longer than was appropriate.
"Ready?" she asked, pulling her keys from her purse.
