Page 82 of Blame It on the Bikini
She smiled at Emmalyn's worried expression. "It's in my carry-on. But I'm staying in a hotel."
"Stop trying to make her nervous, Em," Kaia interrupted. "You'll be fine, Lexie."
"I know, and Emmalyn isn't making me nervous because I'm already nervous."
"I know you'll have a great time," Emmalyn said. "I can't wait to see the photos you bring back."
"I just hope I can live up to everyone's expectations. If I do well, this could be the beginning of my second career."
"You'll do great," Kaia assured her. "You're so talented, Lexie. Now the rest of the world will see it." She paused. "How come Grayson isn't helping you pack? You two have been inseparable since he decided not to sell the building."
"He went with Frank to talk to a potential buyer for the Mustang. He's very invested in Frank and that car."
"Your plan worked. We just had to make him like us," Emmalyn said with a smile. "Then he wouldn't be able to sell our homes."
"I think it's Lexie who made that happen," Kaia said with a teasing smile. "She decided to really make him like her."
"It was a tough job, but someone had to do it," she snapped back with a grin.
"So tough," Kaia said. "Having to fall in love with a smart, successful, attractive man. What a sacrifice."
"I didn't even think I could like him a little when he first got here, but he wasn't who I thought he was. He was much, much better. And he really pushed me to do more with my life, which is why I'm going to Morocco." She zipped her suitcase and put it on the floor. "Let's go see if we can help with the barbecue."
"It's not just a barbecue; it's a party," Kaia said. "We're going to say 'Bon Voyage' to you and 'Welcome Home' to Grayson."
"Grayson will appreciate that. He probably still feels a little like an outsider."
"He's not an outsider; he's our hero," Emmalyn said.
"Who's your hero?" Grayson asked from the doorway.
She caught her breath at the sight of him, wondering if it would always be like that when they saw each other after being apart, if only for a few hours. "Em is talking about you."
"You saved the building," Emmalyn said. "We're all really grateful."
"You did save the building, but you were also the one to put it at risk," Kaia interjected, always the one to inject some realism into the conversation. "So, I'm not sure I'd call you a hero, Grayson, but I will say thank you."
"You're welcome," Grayson said. "And you're right, I'm not a hero, but I hope to be a good fellow tenant."
"Don't get carried away with that tenant nonsense; you're still the owner," Kaia said.
He grinned. "That is true. But we all know Josie is in charge, and that's not going to change."
"You did turn out to be a decent guy," Kaia said. "Which I'm happy about. Because I want only the best for my friend."
"I want the best for her, too," he said, his gaze meeting hers.
"Why don't we meet you outside?" Kaia said, urging Emmalyn out of the room.
Grayson walked toward her as they left. "Are you all packed?"
"Yes, and the nerves are getting stronger."
"It's good to be nervous. That means you're doing something exciting."
"I'll try to hang on to that thought. What happened with Frank's car?"
"He sold it for twice the amount he was thinking."
