Page 15 of Blame It on the Bikini (Ocean Shores #4)

Chapter Eight

Three hours later, Lexie couldn't stop thinking about her early morning adventure with Grayson, and it wasn't just the cave exploration that ran through her mind but also the crazy, passionate kisses they'd shared when they'd gotten to the top of the bluff.

That had been a completely unexpected and shockingly good moment.

The man she'd considered her worst enemy was not only very attractive, but he also kissed like a dream.

Besides that, she couldn't forget how carefully he'd kept watch over both of them and how tightly he'd held her hand when she'd almost slipped down the wet rocks.

She couldn't have picked a better person to go with her.

When they'd arrived back at Ocean Shores, Grayson had muttered something about having work to do, and they'd parted with a few simple words about having fun that hadn't begun to cover the experience they'd shared.

As soon as she'd gotten into her apartment, she'd spent a good twenty minutes in a hot shower before dressing and making breakfast. Then she'd started developing her film in her makeshift darkroom, formerly her walk-in closet.

The darkroom reminded her of the cave—minus the scent of sea and salt, replaced instead with the acrid bite of chemicals. She moved between the enlarger and the chemical bath, watching her photographs slowly materialize like magic.

The film captured details and tones that made her breath catch. The natural spotlight streaming down from the cave's ceiling had created the most incredible contrast, and the texture of the ancient rock walls seemed to leap off the photographic paper.

And then there were the shots of Grayson.

She hadn't expected them to turn out so well.

The way the light had caught him, turning him from a rigid businessman into something almost mythical—a figure carved from the same stone as the cave itself.

He'd been completely transformed. And in one frame, he was looking up toward the cave's ceiling, his expression unguarded, almost reverent.

In another, he was reaching toward her, concern evident in every line of his body as he'd urged her to hurry.

They were some of the best portraits she'd ever done.

The ring of her bell caught her attention. She slid past the heavy, dark curtain she'd put in front of the door to block any light when she left the closet and moved through her living room.

A knock came at her door, followed by her aunt's voice. "Lexie? Are you home?"

"Coming," she called, throwing open the door.

Josie walked into her apartment wearing a flowing purple floral dress and her signature collection of silver bracelets, her red hair pulled back with a butterfly clip. "How was the cave? I'm dying to hear what you thought."

"It was spectacular," she said. "More than I imagined it would be."

"I knew you would love it," Josie said with an approving smile. "I'm glad you made the time to go."

"How did you know I would love it?" she asked, curious about her aunt's choice of words. "Have you been in those caves? Because when I talked about them before, you never said anything about being there."

"I thought I had." She shrugged. "It was many, many years ago. I'm glad they were still accessible."

"They were, but barely. The time we had was shorter than I'd anticipated. Luckily, Grayson was keeping track of the time."

"Yes, Grayson." Her aunt's eyes took on a new light. "I was surprised when you texted me last night and said you were going with him. How on earth did that happen?"

"I ran into him in town a few days ago and mentioned the caves, and he offered to come along."

"That seems out of character. I thought he was all business all the time."

"So did I. It turns out he has an adventurous side. I was very glad he was there, because it would have been terrifying to go in alone. But you probably know that, since you've been there."

"I remember it being thrilling, but I also remember the tide being out for a couple of hours, so it felt exciting but not that dangerous. I guess the tides have changed over the years. Did you get some good photos?"

"Tons." She walked over to her dining room table to turn on her computer. "Here are a few of the digital shots. I'm developing the film now."

Josie settled into the chair in front of the computer as the digital images filled the screen.

The cave shots were stunning even on the monitor—the otherworldly beauty of the hidden chamber, the interplay of natural light and shadow, the sense of ancient mystery.

And for a few minutes, they were both quiet as she scrolled from one shot to the next.

"Oh, my," Josie breathed. "Lexie, these are extraordinary."

"I know," she said, unable to hide her excitement.

"This is the kind of photography I've always wanted to do.

" She clicked through several more images, pausing on the shot of Grayson silhouetted in the entrance to the cave.

"He didn't like it when I took his picture, but the way he looked—it was impossible to resist. He looks like he's one with nature, don't you think?

It's not the way I thought of him before. "

"He's a very handsome man," Josie observed. "It sounds like you may have changed your mind about him."

"Not completely. I know he still wants to sell the building, but that wasn't on my mind when I was taking his picture. He didn't feel like my enemy, more like my friend. Which is not even true. I mean, we're not friends."

"What are you then?" Josie asked with a mischievous smile. "More than friends?"

"I didn't mean it like that," she said, feeling her cheeks warm.

"Something happened."

"Nothing happened," she lied. "We explored the caves. He made sure we got out before the ocean swallowed us up, and it was nice to have him there. That's all."

"Okay, well, I'm glad."

"Why are you glad?" she asked, feeling a bit confused. "Do you want me to like Grayson? Because it doesn't seem like you should want that when he's threatening to take away our homes, and you've lived here for more than thirty years."

"I understand his position, and I'm still hoping he changes his mind.

But I don't need you to hate him. What will be will be.

I'm just happy you had fun and that you got a chance to do what you've been wanting to do for a while.

I was beginning to worry you were getting too entrenched in your wedding photos. "

She started at the word wedding. "Speaking of which…" She checked her watch, relieved she still had two hours before she had to leave. "I have a wedding to do this afternoon. I need to finish developing my film."

"I'll let you go then."

She closed her computer, and as Josie stood up, her gaze caught on the locket that was lying on the table. It had been hidden from view when the monitor was open.

Josie sucked in a quick gulp of air. "Where did you get that?"

"It's the most amazing story. I found it in the cave, tucked in between some rocks.

" She picked up the locket and opened it.

"The picture is too faded to see who it is, unfortunately.

I looked for an inscription, but I didn't see one.

I wish I could return it to its owner, but I have no idea how to find that person.

It could have been in the cave for years. "

"That's exactly where it's been," Josie murmured, extending her hand, her eyes suddenly bright and a little watery.

"Aunt Josie?" she asked as she put the locket in her hand. "Have you seen this before?"

"Yes, I have," she said, her voice soft and breathy, filled with emotion. "It's mine, Lexie."

"No way," she breathed. "It's yours? How is that possible?"

"I thought I'd lost it in my apartment or that it had fallen off at some point as I was walking around town. But, of course, it was in the cave."

"The picture inside the locket is you?"

"It was me, but it's been erased." Her aunt shook her head as she stared down at the open locket, at the faded picture. "It makes sense that the image is gone because I haven't been that girl in a long time."

She waited, sensing her aunt wanted to say more.

Finally, she did. "I used to go to that beach often, to that wild, desolate bluff.

The waves crashing on the rocks often suited my mood, which was turbulent at times.

I had decisions to make, and I wasn't sure which path to take, which choice to make.

When the tide was out, I would go into the cave.

I liked the darkness, the mystery, the feeling that some things last forever, that they can't be broken by constant waves of pressure and change. It felt like a metaphor for my life."

"Was this when you were deciding whether you wanted to go back to acting?"

"That was one of my decisions, yes, but it was more than that. I didn’t just quit acting because I’d stopped liking it.

I was hurt—deeply hurt. I'd been betrayed by people I trusted, people I loved, and they were all wrapped up in the acting world.

I had to leave everything behind to find my soul again, and, eventually, I did. "

"Did someone give you the locket?"

"Yes." Josie smiled to herself, not looking sad anymore.

"Who was it?"

"It doesn't matter. Do you mind if I keep this?"

"Of course not. It's yours. I'm just glad I found it."

"Me, too. I should let you go."

"Aunt Josie," she said. "I feel like there's more to this story than what you're telling me."

Her aunt simply smiled and said, "I suppose there is, but now isn't the time to tell that story.

Maybe one day." She put her hand on Lexie's shoulder.

"I'm happy you brought this back to me, but I'm even happier about the photos you took today and the smile I see on your face now.

I feel like you're becoming the woman you want to be. "