Page 33 of Blame It on the Bikini
"And when you're not working…"
He shrugged. "That doesn't happen often."
"I'm all for focusing on business, but you have to make time for fun, too, Grayson. Spend some of that money you're making and blow off some steam."
"I've been having fun."
"When?" Jeff challenged.
"Actually, this morning. I explored an ocean cave when the tide went out and allowed us to gain access for a short time. It was very cool."
"You went into a dark cave that you could have died in, and that was fun?" Jeff asked with disbelief. "Tell me there was a pretty woman involved."
"There might have been," he admitted.
Jeff gave him a knowing look. "Now, we're getting to the fun part. I've never done it in a cave."
He rolled his eyes, seeing the glint in Jeff's eyes. "It wasn't like that."
"Why the hell not? That could have been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Who's the woman?"
"No one you know," he said vaguely, relieved when the waitress brought their drinks. "Shall we get down to business?"
"Sure."
Jeff pulled out the folder he'd sent him on the property, and for the next hour, they discussed square footage, zoning regulations, and potential profit margins. Jeff's vision for the property was ambitious—luxury condominiums starting at two million, with penthouses going for considerably more.
"The location isn't as luxurious as I would like," Jeff said. "But I'm thinking we could buy up a smaller property just down the block and put in a spa, maybe some pickleball courts. That seems to be all the rage."
"That's true."
"And there's a country club golf course only five miles away. Maybe we can add in a membership as a perk. We'll have buyers lined up before we break ground," Jeff added. "Right now, you have eighteen units bringing in what, maybe, thirty thousand a month total? This new property would generate ten times that amount." He leaned back, clearly energized by the numbers. "This is exactly the kind of deal that gets my blood pumping."
Grayson nodded, recognizing the familiar excitement in Jeff's voice. He'd felt that same rush countless times before, the intoxicating prospect of turning a good investment into a great one. But tonight, something felt different. The numbers were impressive, the potential enormous, but the thrill wasn't quite there. And he was blaming that lack of excitement directly on Lexie.
She'd gotten into his head. She was making him think about all the people who would be losing their homes instead of all the possibilities. But those possibilities weren't for Lexie or the other tenants. They'd be given relocation packages that would allow them to rent other apartments in the area, but they would never be able to go back to Ocean Shores. Shaking his head, he reminded himself he was being too sentimental. And that had never been one of his weaknesses.
"What's the timeline?" Jeff asked.
"I need to finish my evaluation. Another few weeks."
"Why so long? Is something going on?"
"No. I just have things to take care of before we can entertain offers."
"Don't wait too long," Jeff warned, signaling the waitress for another round. "When opportunity knocks, you answer, and that opportunity is practically knocking down your door."
"I'm aware."
"Good. Glad to hear it. Now, tell me more about the woman who took you into a cave."
"Nothing to tell. She's a photographer, and she was taking pictures. I was just checking out the cave."
"Does Victoria Sterling know you're exploring caves with someone else? My sister is friends with her. She said Victoria has been talking a lot about you."
"We've only gone out a few times. It's nothing," he said with a shrug.
"Better make sure she knows that. I grew up with girls like Victoria. She's nearing thirty, her friends are all married, and she's getting itchy. That's why I don't date anyone over twenty-seven anymore." Jeff gave a hearty laugh, but there was also something hollow about it.
