Page 50 of Blame It on the Bikini
"Not true. Once I saw you, I wouldn't have been able to stop looking at you."
"We live in different worlds, Grayson."
"I want to live in your world. I want to have adventures. I have never felt as alive as I did when we went into that cave together. I thought I was a risk-taker, but that was only in business, not in life. I took a risk that day. So did you."
She nodded. "I needed to push myself. But I might have chickened out if you hadn't been with me."
"You're brave. You would have done it."
"I don't know about that. But I'm glad you were with me, and I want to have more experiences like that, too." She paused. "There's nothing stopping you from doing the same. Just because you run a company doesn't mean you can't have adventures."
"My father didn't. He worked nonstop his whole life. He was always the first man in to work and the last man out, and that's what he taught me to do. He said that's how you make it. And I can't argue with his success."
"But do you think he sacrificed other parts of his life to be at work?"
"I know he did. You can put my mother at the top of that list. They've been living separately for years."
"That's sad."
"Actually, I think they're both fine with it."
"Are you also on the list?"
"Right behind my mother. I know my father loves me, but growing up, he was never around, and when he was, he was working. He didn't keep his friends, either. He didn't make time for them, not the way you do." He paused. "I don't think I make time for my friends, either. I need to do better, Lexie."
"You will," she said with encouragement. "Relationships take time and effort, but it's always worth it."
"But how do you know if someone is genuine or if they're just using you to get ahead, to get something?"
"Uh, I'm not sure. I haven't had that problem. I don't have anything anyone wants. But I'm sure you have friends who genuinely care about you."
"Maybe a few, but, like I said, I haven't made time for friends. My grandmother once told me I shouldn't always follow my father's example, that I should aim higher. He missed the last Christmas we could have spent together before she passed away. Not that he knew it would be her last, but it was."
She thought about his words, wondering why a workaholic like his father would have sent Grayson to Ocean Shores. "Why do you think he wanted you to live in the building for a month?"
"Hell if I know," he muttered. "I've asked him, and he just says I won't have to ask when I figure out the answer, whatever that means." He jumped to his feet when their number was called. "Time for chili." He hurried into the shack to pick up their food, returning a moment later with a burger, hot dog, and fries, all topped with Chuck's chili as well as onions and cheese. He cut the burger and the dog in half, so that they could each try both dishes, and then they shared the fries.
It was probably the unhealthiest meal she'd had in weeks, but it was also absolutely delicious. And it wasn't just the food; it was a relaxed Grayson and a stunning sunset. Their conversation turned casual as they ate, washing away the emotional heaviness of the last several minutes.
Grayson went back to being excited about everything, and she was happy to follow him wherever he wanted to go. They got along amazingly well. Too bad it wasn't real, she reminded herself as they finished eating.
"That was the best dinner I've had in a long time," Grayson said, wiping his mouth with a napkin. Then he surprised her by reaching across the table and covering her hand with his. "Thank you, Lexie. Thank you for sharing this with me."
"You're welcome. Grayson, I have to tell you something."
"You can tell me anything, just don't tell me this wasn't fun."
"It was very fun," she said with a smile, meeting his warm gaze.
"I think so, too. You're good for me."
"I don't know if that's true." She licked her lips, knowing the time for truth had arrived. "I need to tell you something about the brownies you ate."
"They were great. In fact, I need better adjectives to describe them: exceptional, superlative, out of this world."
She laughed. "Okay, that's a little much, but I'm glad you liked them. Unfortunately, when I stopped by my aunt's apartment to pick up the brownies, I took the wrong plate. The plate I gave you was supposed to go to my aunt's friend, who is going through chemotherapy."
He gave her a blank look. "I don't understand. Was there something wrong with the brownies? They didn't taste bad."
