Page 25 of Blame It on the Bikini
"It sounds like you have time to make it happen the way you want to."
"I have a few months. However, a lot of my time is filled with events I've already committed to. But I'll just have to work harder. Anyway, what have you been doing this week? I haven't seen you since Olivia's birthday party."
"I've been working on a development deal in Singapore."
"Singapore, wow. That's interesting."
"It is, but it's also complicated. I'm picking up some blueprints now."
"Have you been to Singapore?"
"Several times. It's a beautiful country. And this building will be a work of art. We have an incredible architect lined up. Unfortunately, we're running into unexpected obstacles, so it's still not a done deal."
"Are you tearing something else down to build this work of art?"
"Yes, that's usually how it works. But the building has been abandoned. It's not in good shape."
"So, no one lives there?"
"No."
She nodded, although she suspected her building wasn't the first one to be bought and sold by his company, with people displaced, lives shattered. She couldn't imagine doing a job like that.
"You shouldn't judge what you don't know," Grayson said, giving her a pointed look.
She met his gaze. "How do you know what I'm thinking?"
"Because you have a very expressive face, and you show your emotions."
"I just don't see how it could possibly feel good to kick people out of their homes."
"You're making it too personal."
"What you're doing at Ocean Shores is personal to me."
"We don't kick people out into the cold. We give them relocation packages, which is more than a lot of companies do. When you're a renter, your home is always going to be dependent on what the owner wants. If you really want security, you have to own your own place."
"I know that, but not everyone can afford to own."
"I understand, but that's not on me or my company."
"Let's not talk about this," she said. "I was in a good mood, and I'd like to stay that way a while longer."
"Fine with me," he said as they turned the corner.
They walked halfway down the block to the print shop. "Here it is," she said.
"Thanks." He paused. "This should only take a moment. Do you want to get coffee or something to celebrate your gallery decision?"
She hesitated, knowing that spending more time with this frustrating man was probably a bad idea, but she still didn’t want to say no. "I was planning to get some coffee."
"Do you mind if I join you?"
She was surprised he wanted to join her after the little argument they'd just had, but she needed to keep talking to him. It was the only way to fight. "Of course not. I'd love the company."
She followed Grayson into the print shop, and within minutes, he'd picked up a cardboard tube that contained blueprints, and then they headed out of the building.
The coffee shop was just around the corner. Since it was late for breakfast and early for lunch, the café was fairly empty. They picked up coffees at the counter and then found a table by the window, sunlight spilling across the worn wood, the hum of conversation from three older ladies blending with the hiss of the espresso machine.
