Page 36 of Blame It on the Bikini
"Do you really think we can change his mind?"
"I don't know," she admitted. "But until the decision is made, I won't stop trying."
"Then I'll make sure Hunter does his part, and if tonight doesn't work out, we'll try something else tomorrow and the next day. I love this place, too. It's where I found myself and the love of my life."
"Both are equally important," she said, her gaze drifting toward the entrance. "Maybe it's a good thing Hunter hasn't come back yet. Hopefully, he's talking to Frank and Grayson."
"I'm sure he is, and he also knows a thing or two about engines, so I have a feeling he might have jumped in to help," Emmalyn said. "But I'm fine here, so do what you need to, and I'll meet you at six to walk to Maverick's."
"Perfect."
As she returned to her apartment, she really hoped Hunter could convince Grayson to join them at the bar, solely because they needed to keep putting pressure on him, and not because she hadn't talked to him since yesterday morning and couldn't stop thinking about him. At least, that was her story, and she was sticking to it.
By eight that night, Lexie was getting restless. While she was enjoying her time with her friends, there was no sign of Hunter or Grayson, and she was beginning to think they might not show up. Drumming her fingers on the table while Emmalyn was relating a funny story from her kindergarten class, she glanced around the bar, wondering if Grayson would even enjoy Maverick's. It probably wasn't his kind of bar. He was a sophisticated man, and Maverick's was anything but sophisticated.
Old surfboards hung from the wooden-beamed ceiling, and black-and-white photos of legendary surfers covered the walls. The weathered floors had been worn smooth by years of sandy feet and dancing, and the salty sea air mingled with the scent of beer and grilled burgers wafting from the kitchen. Maverick's wasn't fancy, but it had soul—a perfect reflection of their coastal community.
"Hello?" Kaia's sharp voice pierced through her reverie, and she started, realizing that Kaia, Ava, Serena, and Emmalyn were looking at her with curiosity and a little concern. "Where did you go, Lexie?" Kaia asked.
"Sorry. I was just thinking about something else."
"Or someone else?" Kaia asked with a knowing gleam in her eyes.
"He'll be here," Emmalyn said. "Hunter told me he agreed to come."
"Who's he? Who's coming?" Ava asked in confusion.
"Grayson," she replied. "I asked Hunter to bring him down so he could get to know the guys and hang out at the bar with Brad and Liam."
"Are you sure you want him here to talk to the guys?" Kaia asked, her gaze pointed.
She shook her head. "Stop trying to make something out of nothing, Kaia." While she hadn't told anyone about kissing Grayson, they did know he'd gone to the caves with her, and there had been more than a few suggestions and teasing questions about just how far she was willing to go to save the apartment building.
"Okay, I'll stop teasing you," Kaia said. "I know you're doing this for all of us, so we are grateful."
"I offered to go over the report I had you send him months ago," Ava put in. "He was very polite and completely uninterested."
"I don't think numbers will sway him," she said. "But since I've gotten to know him a little, I feel like there's more to him than just the ruthless businessman who is only thinking about the bottom line." She let out a sigh. "Or maybe that's just what I want to think because time is running out."
"We still have a few weeks," Emmalyn said, giving her a sympathetic look. "Do you want me to text Hunter?"
Before she could answer, Hunter and Grayson entered the bar, and she felt both relieved and a little nervous as they made their way across the room. Her chest tightened as Grayson's gaze drifted to hers. Why did he have to be so damned good-looking?
Dressed in dark jeans and a blue button-down shirt, he looked more like the man who'd explored the caves with her and less like the businessman in the designer suit that had shown up a week ago.
"Now, you can relax," Emmalyn said. "He's here, and Hunter is getting him a drink at the bar."
She felt anything but relaxed, but she gave Emmalyn a smile. "You're right. Sorry I drifted off in the middle of your story."
"Oh, you didn't miss a thing. I think I've bored you all enough with stories of five-year-olds."
"They're always funny," Kaia said.
"Where's Ben these days?" Serena asked. "I don't feel like I've seen him in a while."
"My brother is at a wedding in Hawaii, the lucky guy. He'll be back tomorrow."
"Be sure to introduce him to Grayson," she urged Kaia. "Grayson needs to know our building is serving the community. You're a paramedic. Ben is a cop. Hunter is involved in search and rescue."
