"Well, you don't need to worry about that right now.Hurricane season doesn't start for a few more months.Good thing your permit got approved when it did, or you might experience one this year."At this, Marta patted Gray's arm and left for afternoon sessions with her dolphins.As she left Gray pondered that if he stayed longer, then hurricane season would be a real thing.But he put that out of his mind for now.Tomorrow was his day off, and Riley had asked him if he wanted to spend it with her, and he of course said yes!She wouldn't say what she had planned, but any chance to spend more time with her sounded good.
Chapter 24
7 Mile Beach
Graystoodoutsidehistemporary home, the morning sun already warming the island air.He'd made the space feel like his own, more so than his apartment back in California ever had.Now he wondered whether his temporary home felt more lived in, or was it because he had a group of people that he wanted to spend time with that he felt he was making a home?He hadn't brought a lot from California with him, so it wasn't his decorating skills creating this feeling.
The day promised blue skies and sea breezes, and Gray wondered what Riley had planned.As if on cue, her familiar Jeep rumbled into view, kicking up sand as it came to a stop.She waved with one hand, and her dog, Bear, stuck his head out the passenger window, tongue lolling and ears flopping in the breeze.
"Hey, Gray!"Riley called, grinning."Hope you love stinky dogs because I just so happen to have one!"She leaned over to scratch behind Bear's ears, laughing as the dog pretended to pull away, only to nuzzle back against her with enthusiasm.
Gray smiled."Well, I'm more partial to non-smelly dogs, but this one's handsome enough that I'll let it slide."He opened the passenger door only to find himself face-to-face with Bear, who glared at him as if to say,this seat's taken, buddy.
Riley bit her lip to keep from laughing."Bear, backseat," she ordered with mock sternness.The dog huffed, then leapt into the back with exaggerated reluctance.
As Gray slid into the now-vacant seat, he paused, spotting something left behind."What...is that?"He eyed the soggy mess suspiciously.
Riley leaned over, her expression one of resigned amusement."Who knows what that dog drags around," she said, plucking what looked like seaweed from the seat and tossing it out the window."Now buckle up, I've got a treat for us!"
Riley threw the Jeep into reverse and zipped out of the driveway.Gray barely had time to click his seatbelt before they were cruising down the sandy road.
"So...are you going to tell me the plan?"Gray asked, leaning back with a curious smile.
Before Riley answered, Bear leaned forward and licked Gray's cheek with gusto."Ugh!Bear, why?"Gray groaned, wiping his face while Riley burst into laughter.
"Sorry!"she managed between giggles."I've been training him to give kisses on command.I guess he thought you were offering."
Gray shot her a look of disbelief."And you're reinforcing him for this?"
"I can't undo his good training!"Riley grinned, ruffling Bear's ears."Besides, my family's going to love it when they visit.Unless he's stinky, then they're definitelynotgoing to love it."
Gray chuckled."Family's visiting soon, huh?You must miss them."He hesitated."Also, you're still avoiding my question about where we're going."
"Sit back and relax, my friend.We've got a long drive ahead."Riley shot him a playful grin as Bear curled up in the backseat, content in his travel bed.
Gray leaned his head against the seat and let the hum of the road lull him to sleep.
"Gray, wake up."Riley's hand was on his arm, her voice soft but insistent.He blinked, disoriented, and sat up, squinting against the glare of sunlight.
"Where..are we?"he murmured, taking in the scene.All around was an endless beach, golden and pristine, stretching into the horizon.The ocean glittered in the distance, and the tree line seemed impossibly far away.
"Welcome to Seven Mile Beach," Riley announced, stretching her arms wide.The wind caught the hem of her blue dress, the same one he'd noticed at the conference.It swirled around her legs as if it belonged on a postcard.
As they walked along the beach, close but not close enough that they were touching, Riley told him all about where they were on the island since he'd slept through the drive.
"You know it's funny; the tourists would never come here because you need a vehicle to get here.But even the locals hardly ever come.It's a shame because it's gorgeous, but also I feel like it's my secret beach."She beamed at him, hoping he agreed.
As they walked along the shore, the sand warm beneath their feet, Riley explained how she'd discovered the beach.
"Carlos and Katrina showed it to me when I first moved here.They're amazing transplants from Italy who've lived here for decades.Total lifesavers, they've made the island feel like home.We have to plan a dinner with them."
"Sounds like they've been a big part of your island life," Gray said, tossing a piece of driftwood into the surf.
Riley nodded, throwing a stick for Bear."They're the people who make everything better.Plus, they've got a dog, Max.Bear's obsessed.Max...not so much."She laughed, watching Bear splash after the stick.
Gray glanced at the horizon."Looks like you've got friends everywhere here."
Riley smiled, but before she could respond, a boat zipped along just outside the reef.She broke into a run, waving and laughing.The people onboard waved back, shouting greetings lost to the wind.
