Chapter 48 Puzzles
Puzzles
As Gray and Shelley headed back to the lab, he noticed a small bag sitting on the dock where the catamaran dropped off the tourists for their dolphin experiences.
Gray gazed around, wondering if the boat drivers or someone from the dive team dropped Shelley off?
It was weird; whoever had, hadn't stuck around.
He'd been so fixated on Riley and Phoenix that he never even noticed a boat coming and going.
Maybe she hadn't come in a boat? But that made no sense.
Walking up to the lab, Shelley stopped to grab the small bag and slung it over her shoulder as they walked.
He wondered why she had it? It resembled a dry bag that divers use, and he couldn't imagine Shelley diving.
She continued to beam at him, obviously thrilled to be there with him.
Inwardly, he groaned. He thought he'd been away long enough that she'd stopped thinking they would ever be in a relationship.
But from her body language, he knew that was not the case.
Entering the lab, and before he had time to say anything, Cam stood up abruptly, confused at the stranger with Gray. Well, shit, he thought. How would he explain this when he didn't even know what was happening?
"Team, meet Shelley," Gray said, silencing the room's chatter. Every head turned toward the newcomer, curiosity quickly giving way to unease.
"Hi, Shelley, I'm Cam, the director here. Sorry to be blunt, but who are you, and how did you get here?" Cam wasn't one for surprises, especially human-sized ones. And he had nothing on the schedule for visitors. The Lagoon wasn't somewhere you could just come to, so this woman was out of place.
Shelley flashed a bright smile. "Oh, I'm so sorry to drop in unannounced.
I tried to contact you earlier, but I hear the connection out here is spotty.
That's part of why I'm here, to help get Gray back on track.
" She gave Gray a playful nudge, but no one in the room seemed amused.
"The entire department thought I could lend a hand with the research now that you've got more time here. "
Her eyes roamed the lab, unimpressed by the lack of modern equipment and organization. Shelley's mind was already calculating how to use this to her advantage, keeping Gray from discovering the real reason she was here.
"Wait, did you say Gray is behind on his research?" Cam's eyes narrowed; this made little sense at all.
Gray's face flushed before he forced a neutral expression. "No, Cam. There's been a misunderstanding. I'm hoping we can contact Dr. Terry to sort this out."
"No need to hurry!" Shelley interjected quickly, smiling again. "Why don't we get me settled first and then tour the island?"
Cam looked at the doorway, realizing something was odd. "Where's your luggage?"
Gray, now also wondering, looked at Shelley, waiting for an answer.
"Oh, a nice young man helped me out. He said I could leave my luggage and gear at the booth at the harbour.
Should I have brought it? I didn't think lugging everything to Gray's place first thing made sense; we can deal with that later.
" She answered sweetly. "I'll be staying with you, right, Gray? Tight research budget and all."
Gray felt the room freeze as everyone turned to stare at him, then back to Shelley.
Though no one had come right out and said it, everyone knew that Gray and Riley had been spending their nights together recently.
Cam wasn't a gossip, but Riley and Gray weren't as sneaky as they thought they were about their relationship.
"Shelley, that's not possible. I'm staying in a small studio—one bed, one room, for one person.
You didn't seriously think you'd be staying with me, did you?
" Gray's patience was wearing thin. The nerve of her, showing up unannounced and assuming she'd move in.
He'd opted to stay at the staff housing for his extension because it was free.
And now, after his last few nights with Riley, he figured he'd spend less time there, but he didn't want to assume or impose on Riley's space.
"Oh, Gray, don't be so modest! We're friends; it'll be fine. There's a couch, right? You can sleep there, and I'll take the bed!"
Gray stepped forward, about to retort. Cam quickly intervened, grabbing his arm in a firm grip. "This sounds like a conversation for later," Cam whispered. "I've got your back. Stay calm."
Cam turned to Shelley with a smile. "How about you head out with Declan for a quick tour? Gray and I will join you soon. I've got something I need to show him right now."
Declan, catching the cue, jumped up. "Right this way, Shelley. I'll give you the full tour." Before she could protest, Declan took her arm and guided her out of the break room with a charming smile.