Page 30 of Blame It on the Bikini (Ocean Shores #4)

Grayson shared his experiences at Harvard and how his freshman-year roommate almost got them both suspended for selling weed out of their room.

He hadn't known anything about it but had no way to prove that.

Fortunately, his roommate had come clean and admitted that Grayson knew nothing about his side hustle.

The amount he was selling was very small, but because he was also failing his classes, his parents yanked him out of school until he could grow up and be worthy of their tuition money.

"So, I ended up with my own room for the rest of the year," he finished.

"That turned out good for you."

"It did."

"One of my roommates met a guy who considered himself a health and wellness guru.

He convinced her that material things were bad and that she should sell everything she had, and they could use the money to travel and see the world.

She sold it all, and I should mention that her belongings had all been bought and paid for by her parents.

They showed up a few days after she left.

I thought she'd told them what she was doing, but she hadn't said a word.

Suddenly, I had one less roommate sharing the rent and her hysterically crying mother asking me why I hadn't stopped her from leaving. "

"I guess we both struck out in the roommate department."

"I have liked living alone the past two years."

"Are you really alone? You always seem to be surrounded by friends."

"Which is what's so great about Ocean Shores. My friends are there, but I still have my own space."

"The perfect solution," he said a little tightly.

She wiped her mouth with a napkin. "I brought up the forbidden subject, sorry."

"We can talk about whatever you want to talk about."

"Well, I don't want to talk about that. Not now. Not while we're having fun. I'm well aware there's an expiration date not too far in the future, but it's not today."

"No, it's not," he agreed.

She was about to say something when his phone buzzed. He pulled it out and read a text, his expression stiffening. "Work?" she asked.

"Yes. My Singapore deal is running into one obstacle after another."

"We can leave now if you want."

He hesitated, and she could see the battle going on in his eyes.

"Checkout isn't until eleven," he said, putting his phone on the nightstand. "We have a couple of hours."

"Really? I thought you were a man who always put work first."

"I thought I was, too. But when I'm around you, I'm different."

"Different good?"

"Different great."

She liked the way his eyes suddenly sparked. "What do you want to do with those hours?"

"I have a few ideas. None of them involves leaving this bed."

She picked up the tray of their empty dishes and put it on the dresser, then she got back onto the bed.

"I'm in." She leaned over and kissed his lips, tasting coffee and possibilities.

He pulled her against him, the robe sliding off her bare shoulders, and she stopped thinking about everything except him and the delicious way he whispered her name as his hands ran down her body.

They left their cozy cabin just after eleven, and Lexie was sorry to leave, but they couldn't put off the rest of their lives any longer. While conversation flowed easily for most of the trip, as they neared Ocean Shores, the easy intimacy of the morning began to splinter. The constant buzzing of Grayson’s phone filled the silence between them, each vibration fraying the edges of the cozy cocoon they'd been living in.

“Someone is desperate to reach you,” she said lightly.

He pulled into the parking lot at Ocean Shores and picked up his phone, his expression hardening as he took a quick look at the screen. "The Singapore deal is falling apart."

"What happened?"

"I took my eye off the ball. That's what happened."

She jerked at his tone. "It was your idea to stay in the cabin after you got the first call, not mine. I told you we could leave."

He dragged in a breath, regret filling his gaze. "I know. I'm sorry. It’s just months of work falling apart. But those few hours aren't why this is happening."

"I understand. So, go fix it." She got out of the car, grabbed her camera bag from the back, and shut the door.

As she came around the car, he caught her arm in the parking lot, his gaze softer, almost pleading. "I didn't mean to ruin anything, Lexie. Yesterday, last night, this morning—it was good."

“It was," she agreed, happy with his words. She pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “The most fun I’ve had in a long time."

"I feel the same way, Lexie."

As their gazes clung together for far too long, she finally forced herself to pull away. "Good luck with your deal. I'll see you later."

She moved into the courtyard, pausing by the table where her aunt was working on a crossword puzzle while Grayson headed up the stairs to his apartment.

"You're back," Josie said, a curious gleam in her eyes. "I thought you were coming home last night."

"The highway was blocked by an accident. We had to find a motel."

"That sounds interesting."

She let out a sigh as she sat down at the table. "I feel guilty."

"Guilty? Why?"

"Because I deliberately tried to forget who Grayson is and how he holds our future in his hands. It was more fun to pretend the sale of this building wasn't an issue between us."

"You don't have to feel guilty for having fun, Lexie. Maybe your time together will help him change his mind."

"I don't know about that. He seems determined to keep business and personal separate. And to be honest, I was having such a good time with him that I didn't even try to talk to him about it. I feel like I let our community down."

"You didn't let anyone down, and you don't know what's going to happen." Josie gave her a sympathetic smile. "It's okay to like him, Lexie. As far as I know, he's a good man. He's intelligent and successful."

"He's all that and more. I just wish things were different," she said with a sigh.

"I still have hope it will all work out, but if it doesn't, then we'll do something else. We'll figure it out." She paused. "How was Joshua Tree?"

"The park was magnificent, the landscape mind-blowing. I hope my photographs match what I saw."

"I'm sure they do. I can't wait to see them."

"Is there anything else going on around here? Any sign of our mysterious tenant?"

"He's not mysterious; he's just private," Josie said with annoyance. "And as someone who ran from the media a long time ago, I know how important privacy can be."

"Does that mean he's famous? Is he an actor?"

Her aunt rolled her eyes and shook her head. "I am not telling you anything. When he's ready to tell his story, he will."

"Fine. Keep your secrets. I'm too tired to be nosy."

"Maybe you should tell me why you're so tired," Josie said with a laugh.

"I'm not ready to tell that story," she said, smiling back at her aunt as she got up from the table.

"I didn't think you were."

After leaving her aunt, she walked into her apartment and set down her things. There was a lot she could do, but she felt suddenly exhausted and emotionally drained. She also couldn't stop thinking about what Grayson was dealing with.

On impulse, she picked up her phone and sent him a text. Maybe he wouldn't appreciate her concern, but she still wanted to say something. Hope it all works out in Singapore , she texted. Thanks again for going with me. I had a great time.

He didn't reply, and she stared at the phone for far too long. She told herself he was just dealing with his crisis. And whether he responded or not, at least he would know she cared, and maybe that's all that mattered.

She went into her bedroom and changed into some comfy shorts and a tank top, then curled up on her bed with her phone.

She looked through some social media sites and impulsively typed in Jax Ridley's name, but nothing came up, at least not for anyone famous.

Maybe his name wasn't really Jax Ridley.

On the other hand, that was an unusual name.

It didn't sound like an alias, and she remembered seeing it on his check on Josie's counter.

But maybe his real name wasn't his famous name…

She smiled to herself, knowing she was making up a story that probably wasn't anywhere close to the truth, but it was a distraction.

Then a text flashed on her phone, and her pulse jumped.

It was from Grayson: I'm trying to salvage the deal, but I'm not sure that's possible. I may be out of touch for a while.

She was glad he'd answered, but she wished she could do more: I can't help you with your deal, but I'd be happy to bring you dinner later.

Thanks for the offer, but I need to focus on this. I'll talk to you soon.

There was really nothing she could say to that except: Good luck.

He texted her a thumbs-up, which was the least romantic emoji she could have gotten.

She had a feeling the romance was probably over, even though it had barely gotten started.

But Grayson's failing deal had just reminded him that this trip to Ocean Shores was a waste of his time.

He'd basically said that when he'd first gotten the news.

While he'd apologized immediately, saying he didn't mean it like that, she had a feeling that's exactly what he'd meant.