"Who's that?"Gray called, jogging to catch up.
"The dive team!"Riley beamed."They're heading to an underwater mountain.It's wild, strong currents, total adventure territory.I've been there once, and it's pure magic."
Gray raised an eyebrow."Magic or terrifying?You said 'strong currents.'Sounds like a one-way ticket to Cuba."
Riley laughed, twirling in the sand."Okay, it's not for everyone.But if you're ever back on the island, we should plan a trip, something less intense but just as incredible."As she made another twirl without thinking, Gray's hand met hers in the air, and he twirled her around a few times.She smiled at him and slowed her dancing.
Her words hung between them, a soft invitation.Gray didn't reply, but the idea of returning felt less hypothetical than it had moments ago.
"Alright, now for the most important part of our day!"At this she clapped her hands and turned to run down the beach, in and out of the surf like Bear had been doing earlier.
"Come on, we've gotta get back to the vehicle!There's snacks!"And she laughed as Bear caught up to her, running beside her, barking wildly as they raced back to the vehicle.Gray gathered himself up to run too.Snacks sounded great but to him, the most important part of the day had already happened and he smiled thinking that Riley hadn't backed away when he'd held her hand and twirled her in the sand and that felt like the real magic of the day.
Chapter 25
Missing
It had only been a week, but Gray's absence from the lab felt like a gaping void to Shelley.She hadn't expected to miss him this much.His casual, constant presence had become something she relied on, and without him, the lab seemed strangely hollow.
Even Dr.Terry had noticed the shift in Shelley's mood.
"You okay, Shelley?"Dr.Terry asked as she walked in, holding a folder.
Shelley blinked, startled to see her boss in her office so early.Dr.Terry rarely brought anything to her this early in the day, and the unexpected visit gave Shelley a jolt of hope.
"Oh, just feeling blue.The lab isn't the same without Gray around," Shelley admitted, her tone lighter than she felt.Her gaze dropped to the folder."What's that you've got there?"She stretched out her hand, eager to take it.
Dr.Terry smiled, holding the folder out to her."Well, this should brighten your day.Gray sent along the data from his first week.I took a quick glance, and it looks fantastic.I'll leave it to you to work your magic."
She turned to leave, but Shelley stopped her with a question.
"How's he doing out there?I've heard it can be tough being on such an isolated island."
Shelley leaned forward, her expression hopeful.She wanted—needed—to hear that Gray missed being here, missed her.
Dr.Terry paused, studying Shelley.There was no reproach in her eyes, only a quiet curiosity and a careful restraint.After a moment, she spoke.
"Gray's taking on an important project, one he's perfectly suited for.The team he's working with has been supportive, ensuring he has everything he needs to succeed."She hesitated, then added, "I'm counting on you to keep playing a key role in his success.No one analyzes data like you, Shelley.Your talent is invaluable, and I hope you know how much I appreciate it."
With that, Dr.Terry left, closing the door gently behind her.There was more she could have said, but with Shelley, she'd learned to tread lightly.Praise worked better than pressure, much like with the animals she trained.Besides, the updates Gray had sent spoke for themselves: he was thriving, both with his work and his new surroundings.
Shelley slumped back in her chair, staring at the folder in her hands.Dr.Terry's words lingered in her mind, but she pushed them aside, choosing instead to focus on the tangible connection the data offered.
At least now, with Gray's work spread out before her, she could pretend he wasn't so far away.With a deep breath, she opened the folder and pored over the numbers, immersing herself in them and secretly hoping the days would fly by, bringing him back into her orbit.
Chapter 26
The Square
Gray was now well into his second week on the island, and the days were proving both exhilarating and exasperating.The place was extraordinary, but the challenges were unlike anything he'd ever encountered.Chief among them was the lack of landlines for a phone, or much of anything resembling typical modern communication.Back in California, plans were as simple as a quick phone call: lunch on the beach, a volleyball game, a stroll by the surf.Here, though, people seemed to know where to be and when to show up.
The Square had a lot to do with it.
During his first few days, Gray had been mystified when the staff waved goodbye at the end of the day, tossing out a casual, "See you later!"Later where?Later when?he'd wondered.But by the time he'd worked up the courage to ask, they were already gone.Instead, he'd return to his small suite, eat alone, and wait for the next day to dive back into his work at the Lagoon.
It wasn't until his tenth day that Declan and Daniel finally clued him in.
"Why don't you ever come out at night?"Declan asked, raising a brow as he leaned against the edge of a table."We keep looking for you, but you're always a no-show.Too good for us, California boy?"
