Chapter 16 Apology
Apology
"So, if you hadn't already figured it out, that was my apology." Riley glanced sideways at Gray, hoping he'd forgive her for being difficult this morning.
"That was the best apology ever," Gray said, grinning.
"And I was out of context when I showed up at the harbour.
Plus, we only met briefly at the conference, and I'm pretty sure I was in a full suit that first day.
Oh, and the beard—I had a giant beard back then.
That would throw anyone off." He followed Riley out of the lab and onto the docks, where the bright sunlight was already heating the day.
The air was a mix of ocean breeze and something floral that he couldn't identify but he assumed was coming from the tangled mess of pink flowers across the canal.
To his disappointment, Riley wasn't still wearing her pink bikini; she'd thrown on a staff shirt, jacket, and shorts.
Her hair was up in a ponytail, and he noticed the blond streak in her auburn hair, a detail he hadn't noticed at the conference when her hair was down.
As she turned back to face him, Gray found himself surprised by her eyes.
They weren't blue as he'd originally thought, but a striking shade of hazel. How interesting.
"Should we start the tour, or do you need to put your gear in the lab?" Riley asked, zipping her jacket. Gray couldn't help laughing.
"You're not freezing, are you?" He shook his head in disbelief as the day got hotter.
"You'll see that we're all cold and thin-blooded people here," she said, smirking. "I'm already dreading the thought of winter diving." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a toque, popping it onto her head. Gray stared at her, bewildered.
"What's that?"
"A toque. What do you think it is?" Riley was genuinely confused. How did he not know what a toque was?
"Toque? Is that an island word?" Gray asked, raising an eyebrow.
Riley burst out laughing. "A toque is the proper Canadian word for this," she said, pointing to the hat on her head. "You, my American friend, call it a beanie. But that's lame. Now, tour or gear? I'm good with either."
"Tour first, then gear. And after that, I'm getting myself a toque!" Gray chuckled and followed Riley along the docks. She wasn't at all what he'd expected, but he was already looking forward to working with her.