"Okay, I'm not even going to ask!But this is pretty cool.I was thinking as we drove down this road that it'd be perfect for rollerblading.What's out here?It feels like this road shouldn't even exist."
"There's not much out here," Riley pointed to the canal where the road ended, its blue waters glistening in the sunlight."But when I was exploring the island after I first moved here, I stumbled across this road and realized it's perfect for blading.Since you've been saying you want to see more of the island, I figured you'd like to come with me."
She turned away, nervous that he might think it was strange to drive out to the middle of nowhere to rollerblade.
"It's perfect!Thanks for bringing me here.I've never been on an island until now, and I want to see everything.How far can we blade?"
As they strapped on their gear, Riley motioned for them to head back the way they came.
"We can loop around from here back to where the road gets busier, then come back again.And don't worry, I brought snacks and drinks for after.Wouldn't want you to perish from exertion!"
Gray smirked at her, and she playfully smacked his arm before skating off."Not that kind of exertion, you weirdo!"
But now Gray was thinking about that kind, especially as he watched her skate away.The view was perfect.
Chapter 30
Time to think
Astheyrollerbladedalongthe boulevard, Riley visibly relaxed.This was her island, and now she was sharing it with someone else.In reality, it wasn't her island, but she felt at home here in a way she hadn't expected.
Thinking back to when she first moved here and remembering Cam's warnings about how so many ex-pats couldn't hack it, she couldn't fathom why anyone would ever want to leave.
She suddenly realized Gray was asking her a question.
"Sorry, what?"
"You were not on this planet!"Gray teased, his laugh warm and easy."I was asking how often you come out here?"
Riley hesitated, but only for a moment.Gray was a good guy, a great guy, and she felt comfortable enough to share.Riley wished her poor relationship from the past would stop creeping into the present.
"Well, let's see.I'm here at least once a week to think while I'm blading.I don't have to worry about cracks in the road or falling.No one else comes out this way, so I have the road to myself.I get a lot of thinking done.If I struggle with a problem to solve, the solution finds me out here."
"That makes sense."Gray nodded."I brought my rollerblades, not even knowing if I could use them here, so thank you for bringing me.Back home, I do the same, especially when I'm piecing together a research project.I love heading out to think, but I have to carry my notepad with me.I've learned the hard way that if I don't write down a solution right away, I won't remember it later.Then I end up thinking, 'Well, better get back out there and let inspiration strike again!"
Riley laughed, understanding the creative struggle.As they continued along the road, talking and blading, she noticed Gray was blading close to her, so close that now and then, his arm would gently swing into hers, a subtle connection that made her heart skip.
She loved how strong his arms looked, and his tan had darkened.As his arm swung forward again, his tank top lifted a bit, and she caught a quick glimpse of what was obviously a 6-pack, she flushed thinking about seeing all of it which made no sense because she saw lots of hot bods all day long at work, no one was shy when you lived in a bikini or board shorts.Riley shook her head and looked into Gray's curious eyes.
"Would you ever move to an island?"She asked, surprising herself with the question."You said you'd never been to one before, but now that you're here, do you think you could live here?"
She couldn't believe she was asking him this.She wanted to know his answer, but she also dreaded it.What if he said he could never see himself living in a place like this?She realized that, deep down, she'd been secretly wanting to ask him all along.If he said no, that he'd never live somewhere like this, she knew she'd have to protect her heart and stop dreaming that he might stay, maybe even stay for her.
"I would live here in a heartbeat," Gray said, his voice steady and sure.As he spoke, he reached out and found her hand.
She smiled down at the ground, not wanting to break the spell that had fallen over her.
Oh Gray, you are a great man, she thought, her heart swelling with a mixture of hope and happiness.
Chapter 31
Hotel nowhere
Afterafewexhilaratingloops along the road, stopping at the Jeep each time for a sip of the iced tea, they were now back at the vehicle, taking off their rollerblades.The sound of the suction releasing with a whoosh made them both smile.
"How come--" they both started at the same time, then laughed."You go first, how come what?"Gray's lips quirked up, almost certain they were thinking the same thing.
"How come it's so satisfying to take off these rollerblades?"Riley asked."I don't wear them too tight, but after a while, they seem to mold to my feet and ankles."She began rubbing the lines where the blades had left marks.
