Gray's eyes went wide, and then he burst out laughing.
"What's so funny, mate?"Declan deadpanned in an exaggerated Irish accent; arms folded across his chest.
Every single staff member, men included, was wearing a pink bikini.
"What the--" Gray got out between laughs."Riley?"He glanced around, trying to make sense of it.
Cam, who had been confused, caught on and started laughing too.Why was his team so weird?
"Well, Gray," Riley said with a wicked grin, "you said you didn't look good in a pink bikini.We thought you hadn't tried it."She held out the tiniest bikini Gray had ever seen, winking.
"Nah, I'm good."Gray raised a hand, still chuckling."I'm glad to see you've recognized my pretty face—without the beard."He shot Riley a playful smile, recalling how she'd ditched him at the dock.
"Daniel," Declan piped up, eyeing his colleague, "why is your bikini so much more...form-fitting than mine?"
Daniel flashed a self-satisfied grin."Simple, Declan.This body was made to be seen in all styles.I fill things out better."He stood up to shake Gray's hand, but as he did, his bikini top popped off.
"Whoops!Sorry, man.You don't need to see that much skin."Daniel smirked, unfazed."But if you haven't guessed, this is Riley's strange way of apologizing."He gestured to his absurd outfit."Now, as much as I look amazing, I'm feeling exposed."He tugged at the bikini bottoms, which were woefully inadequate for his frame."I'm gonna change before I scar anyone for life."
Everyone burst out laughing as Daniel shuffled away, trying in vain to pull the bikini down over his butt cheeks.It was a losing battle.
Declan bounced to his feet; arms thrown wide."I dunno, I'm feelin' very free in this!Ladies, what do ya think?"
Before he could finish, Cici snapped the back of his bikini top, making Declan sputter and clutch at it like a scandalized Victorian lady.
"I can't believe this is the thanks I get for being a team player!"Declan huffed dramatically, earning more laughter.As he left the office, he gave Gray a hearty handshake."Good to have you here, mate.We're gonna have some fun."
Gray was still laughing as he turned to the women.He only knew Riley, but they all grinned like mischievous Cheshire cats.
"Gray, meet Marta and Cici," Riley introduced, motioning toward them.
"We'll go grab your gear," Cici chimed in with a wink."Or, you know, your "stuffff,"" she added with a teasing grin before both women disappeared out the door.
Gray stayed with Cam, who was still shaking his head, amused."Well, I was going to do a professional introduction, but I guess we're doing...whatever that was instead."
"Honestly, it was perfect," Gray laughed, still feeling the ridiculousness of the situation.
"Welcome aboard, Gray.They wouldn't be messing with you if they didn't already like you.You're gonna fit in just fine," Cam said, clapping him on the back before leading him toward the table in the lab.
As they walked, Gray grinned, feeling lighter than ever.Yeah, this was going to be something special.
Chapter 16
Apology
"So, if you hadn't already figured it out, that was my apology."Riley glanced sideways at Gray, hoping he'd forgive her for being difficult this morning.
"That was the best apology ever," Gray said, grinning."And I was out of context when I showed up at the harbour.Plus, we only met briefly at the conference, and I'm pretty sure I was in a full suit that first day.Oh, and the beard—I had a giant beard back then.That would throw anyone off."He followed Riley out of the lab and onto the docks, where the bright sunlight was already heating the day.The air was a mix of ocean breeze and something floral that he couldn't identify but he assumed was coming from the tangled mess of pink flowers across the canal.
To his disappointment, Riley wasn't still wearing her pink bikini; she'd thrown on a staff shirt, jacket, and shorts.Her hair was up in a ponytail, and he noticed the blond streak in her auburn hair, a detail he hadn't noticed at the conference when her hair was down.As she turned back to face him, Gray found himself surprised by her eyes.They weren't blue as he'd originally thought, but a striking shade of hazel.How interesting.
"Should we start the tour, or do you need to put your gear in the lab?"Riley asked, zipping her jacket.Gray couldn't help laughing.
"You're not freezing, are you?"He shook his head in disbelief as the day got hotter.
"You'll see that we're all cold and thin-blooded people here," she said, smirking."I'm already dreading the thought of winter diving."She reached into her pocket and pulled out a toque, popping it onto her head.Gray stared at her, bewildered.
"What's that?"
