"You know I've got your back.Shelley can be a handful, but there's no one who works magic with numbers like she does."
As they walked toward the exit, Gray felt a mix of relief and anticipation.He wanted this proposal to get approved, to show the university they had made the right choice in hiring him, and to get a month away from Shelley.He hoped some distance would curb her enthusiasm for pursuing him.Being on the other side of the continent should be enough, but Shelley was resourceful, so he couldn't be sure if the distance would be enough.
Unbeknownst to them, Shelley sat at her desk, her eyes following them through the glass window.As Gray and Dr.Terry disappeared down the hallway, a frown tugged at her lips.If Gray's proposal got approved, it would mean a month away on the island—a month too long for her liking.
Chapter 7
Girls trip
"Iswear,ifwegoto one more swim store that doesn't have a decent selection of bikinis, I'm flying home today!"Cici threw her hands up in frustration.She had been searching for a new bikini, but nothing had impressed her.
Riley smiled at Cici, part of her "ride or die" group of women that she worked with.Cici was definitely the just say what you mean one of the group.Riley knew it was because Cici was the youngest sister in a family of 5 girls and had to stick up for herself or get left behind.She was tall, with ridiculously long sandy blond hair and gorgeous brown eyes.Riley envied how everything fit Cici perfectly, and her taste in clothes was something to behold; bold colours and patterns were Cici's first choices.
"How about a new game plan?Let's eat!I'm getting hangry, and if that happens, we're all going to be unhappy.Then, we'll check out that new shopping area.You can hunt down the perfect bikini, and Marta and I can hit Barnes & Noble."
Marta was the tri in their friend triangle.Quiet but firm when she spoke, everyone listened.Unlike Cici, Marta was an only child from New York state though everyone just assumed she was from the Big Apple.Was there anywhere else in New York?She'd grown up in a small town in the northern part of the state and loved how close she was to her cousins, who were like the siblings she never had.Marta kept her black curls short and sweet because, "who has time to mess with hair!"Every summer her light brown skin darkened and she complained about her tan lines but secretly loved that feeling of being sun-kissed for most of the year.
Cici's expression softened."Agreed.I need food right now.Cheesecake Factory?"
"Absolutely," Marta said, looping her arms through Riley and Cici's, steering them expertly toward the restaurant."Who doesn't love a giant slice of cheesecake?"
As they walked, Riley glanced around Marta to Cici."What's wrong with the bikinis?You've found at least four you liked but didn't buy."
Cici shrugged as they approached the cafe's entrance."Let's just order."As she said this, Cici twisted the ring on her finger that everyone was curious about.No one asked since it wasn't on her wedding ring finger, but it seemed too sparkly and too formal to wear all the time.
Once they had a table and the server had taken their order, Marta and Riley both turned to Cici, raising their eyebrows in expectation.
"Oh, stop it," Cici said, waving them off."I'm just in a funk and need some retail therapy."
"We all need retail therapy," Marta teased, "but you seem extra down.Honestly, I'm fine if you find nothing, because then I can use the space in your luggage for all the books I'm buying."
"The audacity!"Cici feigned outrage, but her grin gave her away.She turned to Riley."I bet you're hoping I don't buy a thing, right?"
"Oh, no," Riley said, her eyes sparkling with amusement."I'm sure you'll find something.Bikinis don't take up space, and I wouldn't want you to think I wasn't sharing the burden of my own purchases."
"Nerds!"Cici shook her head."You go buy your books, and your best friend Cici will carry your literary haul."Cici was in a funk, but it stemmed from long ago.Though they were all close, she didn't want to drag them down her memory lane, not when they were on a girls' trip.
As they settled in with their food, Marta looked at Riley."How's the research project coming along?You haven't mentioned it much lately."
Riley sighed, taking a sip of her milkshake."It's better than good.Cam and Dr.Gray worked hard on the last proposal, and it's incredible.Now we're just waiting to hear about funding.I'm trying not to get my hopes up.Every time we're supposed to get a project off the ground, the waiting kills it."
Marta and Cici exchanged glances.They'd heard this before—Riley's frustrations with the endless red tape and bureaucratic delays were all too familiar.For years, Riley had worked tirelessly on a dozen potential projects, all of which failed to happen.Her friends knew the toll it had taken and, in their own private conversations, they worried one day Riley's work at the Lagoon wouldn't be enough.
"I have faith that this will be the one."Cici said, patting Riley's hand."By year-end, you'll be done with your first project."
"I hope so," Riley said, her voice tinged with uncertainty."Honestly, some days, I don't know if I can keep getting my hopes up, only to have them crushed when nothing moves forward."
Marta frowned."You're not thinking of leaving, are you?"
Riley hesitated, then nodded."I've thought about it.But don't worry—I'm not making any rushed decisions.I love this place, but I miss my family, and some days I miss things just being...easier.Still, this new project feels promising, so I'll wait and see."
She didn't share everything.She hadn't told them about the meetings she'd taken at the last conference with directors of other facilities, her and Mary Jo's ruse for the beluga job, or the one in Italy that had caught her interest.Even the conversations with researchers about possibly applying to a Master's program to further her education.Everything was up in the air, but she enjoyed knowing she had options.Riley also knew she'd have to decide soon—either stay and hope the project with Gray happened, or take the amazing job offer she'd received for the job with the belugas.
As they finished their meal, the lively chatter faded, replaced by a quiet worry shared among the three of them.They had grown close over the years, and the thought of any of them leaving weighed heavily.Hopefully, the new researcher would not let the waiting and the red tape deter them.
Chapter 8
The move
