“Get out. You’re going to make people sick,” Grayson told the iguana as he set him down. “I’m glad I only have a pet rock.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t get Crumpet a present.” I sighed. “We clearly have more work to do on you.”
Grayson held up a finger, then he swept his arm in front of me.
On his open palm sat Crumpet in all his gray rocky glory, and on top of his head was a little red beret.
42
GRAYSON
As stupid as I thought it was to buy a present for a pet rock, it was worth it for Lexi’s reaction.
“Aww, Grayson!” She kicked her feet in the water and giggled. “This is adorable.”
She pulled me down for a kiss, and I deepened it, needing her. She was a balm for my soul. I wanted to tell her, make her understand, that she was my entire world.
Even though I wanted to propose marriage to her right then and there so she would be with me forever, her smile, her laugh, the bright vibrant light of her, I couldn’t come on that strong. It would drive her away.
“You had a very successful trip. I approve.”
“We did ink the deal, and the European energy cabinet didn’t veto it.”
“I’m glad you were able to get some work done around all that shopping and sightseeing.” She snickered as I splashed her with water.
It was a perfect moment, and I wanted to hold onto it forever.
Yet my past would never let me be free.
The chime on my watch sounded.
“Oh,” Lexi said when my face fell. “It’s Tuesday, isn’t it?”
“I need to get dressed.” I stood up with a heavy sigh.
“I’ll come with you,” she offered, pulling herself up from the mound of bubbles.
“You don’t have to.”
“I want them to give me more free cake.”
I held up a towel for her, wrapping her in it.
“So snuggly,” she purred. “It could almost double as a rug, hint, hint. My feet are freezing.”
“They are?” I picked her up while she laughed, and carried her into the bedroom.
“Do you need a hair dryer or anything?” I asked.
“A hair dryer is kryptonite for someone with my kind of curls. My hair and I have reached an uneasy truce. I leave it alone, and it tries not to go too far on the clown spectrum when I’m at work.”
“I like your hair,” I told her honestly.
“Did you just give me a compliment, Grayson?” Her eyes shone.
“Maybe.”
She clapped her hands. “Kindness buddies for the win!”
