Page 15 of Blame It on the Bikini
"See, even you couldn't get through that with a straight face," she said, giving him a pointed look.
"Actually, I was just thinking that I was repeating someone else's words."
"Whose?" she asked curiously.
"My mother. Funny, it's usually my dad's voice that rings through my head, but that was all her. Every time we moved, and I complained, she pointed out all the positives."
"Did you believe her?"
He met her gaze. "No. But she wasn't always wrong."
"Always?" she echoed. "But sometimes?"
"Sometimes," he admitted. He shook his head in bemusement. "I never really thought her words would come out of my mouth." He took a long sip of wine.
"That has happened a few times to me, too," she said with a laugh. "It shocks me every time, and I don't like it at all."
"I'll drink to that," he said, raising his glass.
She picked up her glass and clinked it against his. "Cheers." As she set her glass down, the waiter appeared with their appetizer.
"You have three perfectly seared scallops perched on a bed of silky corn purée and roasted poblano chili with a citrus beurre blanc and a blue corn tuile. Enjoy," the waiter said.
As the man left, he said, "I didn't get all that, but it sounds impressive."
"It tastes even better. Gabe created it a few weeks ago. I've already had it once, and it's unforgettable."
He felt a little guilty that her friends were going all out for him when he wasn't going to base his decision on one incredible meal. "Maybe you should tell your friends that they don't need to try—" he began.
Lexie cut him off with a shake of her head. "Just enjoy. There aren't any strings."
"In my experience, everything comes with strings."
"That used to be my experience, too, when I was surrounded by lawyers and other sharks, but not anymore. The people at Ocean Shores are good people, and all Madison and Gabe want is for you to enjoy their food. So, let's do that, because I'm starving, and it's been a long day."
He relaxed at her words. "That sounds good to me."
A relaxed Grayson Holt was even more attractive, Lexie couldn't help thinking as she half listened to a story he was telling about his encounter with a stubborn sheep on a lonely road in Ireland.
"How did you finally get it to move?" she asked.
A gleam entered his eyes. "I whispered something in her ear."
"Really?" She definitely liked this more lighthearted side of him. "What did you whisper?"
"It's between me and her."
"Sweet, lying promises," she suggested.
"Sweet but not lying. I told her that I'd walk with her and find her a better spot to graze, so I walked down the road, and she followed. Eventually, I moved her onto the grass, and my driver picked me up."
The image of him walking a sheep down the road made her smile. "I have to admit, I'm surprised by your level of patience. I wouldn't have thought you had that in you."
"She was a test of my patience because she kept stopping, and I had to keep telling her we needed to go."
"In the end, you got what you wanted."
"I usually do," he admitted.
