Page 48 of Blame It on the Bikini
"I ran into Grayson on his way out, and he was really friendly. He gave me a big smile, and when I asked him where he was going, he said the sand and the sea were calling him."
"Oh, my God! I have to find him. I can't believe I got Grayson high."
"Well, technically, it was me," Josie said. "But I told you to take the white plate."
She ignored her aunt as she ran into the parking lot. Grayson's car was still parked in the lot, so at least he wasn't driving. She jogged out of the lot and across the beach path, pulling off her sandals as she hit the sand. There were at least a couple dozen people on the beach. But Grayson wasn't one of them. She started walking along the sand toward town. Relief washed over her when she spotted him sitting on the sand. His suit coat and tie were tossed over the shoes and socks next to him, and he appeared to be talking to a seagull.
"I know what you're thinking," he said to the bird, which had landed a few feet away from him. "You're thinking, 'What's this guy doing in a suit on my beach?' And that's a fair question. Really fair."
The seagull squawked and took off.
"That was rude," Grayson called after it.
Lexie approached slowly, like she might approach a wild animal. "Grayson?"
He turned toward her with a smile that was brighter and more relaxed than any expression she'd ever seen on his face, just as Emmalyn had described.
"Lexie! Perfect timing. I was just having a philosophical discussion with a seagull about appropriate beach attire."
"I heard."
"Did you know seagulls can live up to fifteen years?"
"I did not. Grayson," she said gently, "how are you feeling?"
"Incredible," he said, spreading his arms wide. "Absolutely fantastic. I can't remember the last time I felt this... relaxed. It's like someone turned down the volume on the noise in my head."
"Did you eat the brownies I brought you?"
"Yes, and they were great. The best brownies I've ever had. Just like this day is the best day I've ever had. Especially now that you're here."
"Really?"
"You're so beautiful, Lexie. How are you still single?"
"Sometimes it's a mystery to me. I need to tell you something."
"Can it wait?" he asked, holding up a seashell. "You need to look at this shell—at the patterns, the lines, the colors. It's like nature's own artwork." He held it out to her, and she could see genuine wonder in his eyes. This wasn't the calculating businessman she'd been sparring with for weeks. This was someone completely unguarded, seeing beauty in a simple seashell.
The shell didn't appear that extraordinary to her—but then, she hadn't had any brownies. "It's pretty." She sat down next to him, having a feeling it would take a little time to explain to Grayson what was going on.
"Think of how many shells get washed up every day, and most people never stop to look at them. They just walk on by. That's what I would normally do." His gaze swung to her. "But you wouldn't walk by. You'd stop. You'd take a picture. You'd make sure everyone in the world could see the beauty of that one shell. Because that's what you do. You should take a picture now. Where's your camera?"
"I left it at home." She realized she'd left everything with her aunt, including her phone, but she wasn't going to worry about that now. They were only a few blocks away from Ocean Shores, and she'd fulfilled her responsibilities for the day.
"Too bad. You should take the shell home or go get your camera."
"I'll come back later with my camera," she promised.
"It might not be here then. You might not ever find it again." His gaze grew serious. "Sometimes you don't appreciate what you have. You let it go. You think there will be time to come back later, but maybe there won't be time. Maybe when it's gone, it's gone, and you never get it back."
It felt like he was talking about something personal, something real, and she found herself liking this open, wondering, philosophical version of Grayson. But this wasn't the real him; this was a drugged version, and it was her fault. As soon as she told him the truth, he'd probably be furious. And all this happiness would end.
"I want to walk," he said, jumping to his feet. He grabbed his tie and tucked it into the coat pocket before throwing his coat over one shoulder. Then he picked up his shoes and held out his free hand. "Walk with me, Lexie."
How could she resist? She stood up and put one hand in his, holding her sandals in the other hand.
They walked down the endless beach, Grayson rambling on with amazement at so many sights she didn't think he would have ever noticed on a normal day, and all the while his fingers clung to hers.
