"Nope!I can't handle the thought of them being boiled alive."Gray scrunched up his nose.
Riley grinned."Same!And I got sick the one time I tried it.My boyfriend at the time joked that I'd always be a cheap date."She thought back to that long-ago university boyfriend.
"Can you eat other shellfish?Like crab?"
"Nope, one bad shellfish experience is enough for me."Riley went back to her menu."The yellowtail snapper is superb.They pan-fry it so it has a delicious crackly skin, and it comes with rice pilaf."
They fell into a comfortable silence, each mulling over the menu until Natasha, the server, appeared at their table.
"Riley!"Natasha greeted them warmly."Who's this handsome guy?"
Gray stood up to shake her hand."I'm Gray, the researcher at the Lagoon.Nice to meet you."
"Oh, Riley, he's a keeper," Natasha teased, giving Riley a knowing look.Natasha took care of the Lagoon staff when they came to celebrate, and she'd been around long enough that she'd served Riley and Paolo.Riley managed a small smile, but an anxious thought surfaced: what if Natasha mentioned Paolo?Thankfully, Natasha seemed to catch on and didn't mention him.
"Gray's working on a project that'll put the Lagoon on the map.We're lucky to have his research here," Riley beamed with pride.
"That's fantastic!"Natasha exclaimed before taking their orders and heading off.
This stillness grew awkward, then Gray broke it.
"Did you always want to move here?"He sipped his ginger beer, clearly savouring the drink.He'd mentioned a few times on their outings how much he enjoyed it, having never tasted one before.
"Not at all.I came here on vacation once, loved parts of it, but it wasn't part of the plan."Riley glanced at him.
"I was working in Canada, and I was writing for a magazine.I scored an interview with the director.As we wrapped up, he asked if I knew anyone who'd want to work here, and I blurted out, 'Me!'A few months later, I got the job.Funny enough, I didn't realize that Cam was the director and had taken the interview with me because he'd heard about the work I was doing as a senior trainer and knew I specialized in training dolphin calves.The permit took forever, as you know, but Cam stayed the course and kept reassuring me until it finally came through."She knew Cam had been the difference to Gray keeping the faith in the process too.
Gray looked puzzled."Wait, back up.What magazine?"
Riley laughed."I forget people aren't in my head.I write for the magazine Soundings.The editors gave me a feature article section.I find complex scientific research and write articles about the research but in a way that's accessible for regular people."
Natasha reappeared with their salads, and they paused the conversation for a moment as she offered fresh pepper.
"You should write an article about me," Gray teased with a playful waggle of his eyebrows.
"Oh, I want trainers to talk about cool projects.You don't qualify."Riley smirked, making Gray gasp dramatically.
"You wound me!"he shot back, making her laugh, a rare sound that surprised him.Why didn't she laugh more around him?
The thought of Paolo crept dangerously into her mind, but she pushed it aside.
"I was hoping to interview you.But I didn't want it to be weird."
"Riley, everything with you is weird.Ask away!"Gray's teasing earned him a light slap on the hand.
"I'm not weird.I'm awkward.There's a difference."
"I would be honoured to be featured."Gray's sincerity caught her off guard, and they slipped into a comfortable silence again until their entrees arrived.
"Wow, you weren't kidding!"Gray's muffled words came as he devoured a bite of yellowtail.
"Fresh fish is no joke."She was happy their first date was here; she realized the place held more happy than sad memories.
As Gray dug into his food, he gave Riley a goofy grin.
"What?Why are you looking at me like that?"she wiped her face self-consciously.
"You're doing your little wiggle."He pointed at her waist, and she froze, realizing she'd been wiggling in her seat without thinking.
