Chapter 14
Early days
The conference, one year earlier
Riley was still excited and pleased about her presentation from the day before.
It was the first step in getting the Lagoon on people's radar for research projects.
She and Cam had attended an incredible presentation about bringing researchers to facilities for longer projects.
They'd been excitedly discussing the possibilities for their unique setup with dolphins trained to work in the open ocean.
Cam had filled her in on his lunch meeting with Gray the previous day, but it wasn't until the second day that she'd spoken to him.
From down the aisle, someone called out to Cam. They turned to see Gray approaching, looking far more relaxed in a polo shirt and shorts compared to the stiff suit he'd worn the day before.
Cam extended his hand in greeting. "Great to see you again. You're heading out soon, right?" He clapped Gray on the shoulder with an amiable smile.
"Yeah, I only booked a travel day and the weekend for this, but it's been amazing. I'm taking all the ideas we talked about yesterday back to Dr. Terry. She's going to be over the moon. Riley, have you heard of Dr. Terry?"
"Heard of her?" Riley's eyes widened. "I have all her books and papers and--" She stopped, realizing she sounded like a fangirl.
Gray laughed, amused. "That's her! Rockstar researcher. She was my PhD advisor, and I started in her lab this year. It's been incredible, but the work I want to do needs the ocean."
"Well, we've got an ocean," Riley blurted out, her enthusiasm bubbling over. Her eyes went wide as she realized what she'd said, but she couldn't help herself. This was the research she wanted for their facility and team.
Cam nudged her. "Riley's enthusiasm, though slightly awkward, isn't unfounded. We've got so many ideas for potential projects. The hard part is getting anyone to come to the island."
Gray raised an eyebrow. "Right, because a tropical island is such a tough sell?"
Cam and Riley shared a look and laughed. "You'd be surprised. People think it's all sandy beaches, Mai Tais, and bikini time--"
"I look terrible in a bikini," Gray cut in, grinning.
Cam burst out laughing. "See? There's our problem; we've been marketing this all wrong. Gray in a bikini would seal the deal!"
Riley flushed, torn between laughing and wanting to redirect the conversation.
"What Cam means," she said, trying to reign things in, "is that people have a misconception about island living.
It's not all lounging on the beach. But we have an incredible team, and our dolphins can do anything. " Her voice brimmed with pride.
Gray nodded, his enthusiasm clear. "I told Cam yesterday the funding deadline is coming up, and this opportunity is so unique no board would say no."
"We'll do you one better," Cam said, shaking Gray's hand. "Riley and I can send over a list of ideas we've brainstormed. We've noticed some gaps in the research, and your expertise will help us fill them."
They said their goodbyes, and Riley waved as Gray walked off.
"What do you think?" she asked Cam as they headed down the long hallway to their next lecture.
"I don't know if pink's his colour," Cam teased, wrapping an arm around her shoulder as she smacked him.
"You're terrible! But seriously, do you think we can get a researcher to work with us?"
Cam's tone turned more serious. "I think this Gray fella might be the real deal. Let's brainstorm some solid ideas on the flight home, and I'll start sending stuff to him right away."
Present day
As Riley maneuvered the boat back to the island, her thoughts kept wandering.
She replayed their first meeting again, comparing it to the man she'd left at the dock that morning, and smacked herself in the forehead!
At the conference, Gray had longer, curly hair with blond streaks and a full beard.
Now, his hair was shorter, the blond was gone, and the beard had disappeared.
He looked 10 years younger, and not recognizing faces had come back to haunt her.
Now, those muscles—tank top, shorts, and a six-pack she hadn't expected but looked like was there—she would not forget them anytime soon.
She groaned, cutting the engine. "What the hell is wrong with me?" She'd need to apologize for being so abrupt and make it up to him. Maybe a team welcome drink in the Square? A houseplant? What could she do to convey to him, Sorry, I'm an asshat?
As she restarted the boat, an idea sparked. Perfect. It would put a smile on his face, maybe even win him over after her abruptness at the dock.