I bit back a curse.
“This is very unusual behavior for them,” Lexi whispered to me.
“Oh, my casserole is burning!” Cindy rushed to the oven.
“Save the burned bits for Grayson,” Barry said.
“Lexi, why don’t you help Grayson find some dry clothes then hand him a mop so he can clean up the mud he got on my floors,” Cindy said.
I followed her down the narrow hallway to what I assumed was her parents’ room.
“Full disclosure, my dad bought this outfit for you. You didn’t have a chance to wear it fishing.” She whipped open the doors to a shallow closet. “Ta-da!”
“Are those pajamas?”
“No, this is outdoor wear,” she said, holding up the neon-colored matching short-and-shirt set.
“I’d rather freeze in my suit.”
“You’ll get pneumonia,” Lexi said, unbuttoning my jacket. “Also, this outfit comes with matching socks.”
“Are you sure you want to take me back?” I whispered, gathering her in my arms.
I kissed her quietly, softly, as she ran her hands up my bare chest.
“I want you,” I murmured, “but your mom’s casserole is getting cold.”
“You know, I never thought I’d say this,” she whispered, “but I’m ready to go back to Manhattan.”
Ten minutes and a blow dryer later, I sat down at the table in the vibrant Hawaiian shirt and shorts.
“I hope your suit isn’t ruined,” Cindy said as she dished up a heaping helping of seafood casserole. “You can’t be out in a storm like this without a poncho. Barry, don’t we have an extra poncho for Grayson?”
“Dad, no,” Lexi said as his face lit up with a gleeful smile.
“I have the perfect poncho.”
“Grayson’s not—”
Barry came running back in the kitchen. “Ta-da!”
He unfurled a black-and-red poncho decorated with giant mouse ears.
“It’s perfect,” I said diplomatically. “Thank you.”
“You don’t like Disney,” Lexi argued.
“Actually,” I said, “It’s grown on me. It might be genetic. My great-grandfather was apparently a big Disney fan.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.” I smiled, not sure if I felt sad or happy. “My mom gave me a picture of him.”
Lexi’s eyes shone.
“That’s awesome.”
I pulled out my phone to show her and her parents the picture I’d scanned.
