Page 18 of Take the Leap

“If only it were that easy. Audrey has primary custody because of my busy work schedule, and she was supposed to have Christine this week, which happens to fall into a brief window of free time I have before training camp starts.”

My jaw dropped. “Are you saying that she wouldn’t let you take Christine without her?”

Greyson nodded. “First, she made me feel guilty for not spending enough time with Christine. She’s been getting into a little trouble at school lately, and Audrey says it’s because she wants my attention, and the least I could do was take her on a trip.”

“So, it was her idea? You do know that she was probably just manipulating you in order to get a free vacation, right? She sounds like a total bitch.”

I immediately regretted saying that. It was true, but it wasn’t my place to point it out.

But Greyson chuckled. “Why do you think we aren’t married anymore? But despite all that, she really is a good mom to Christine. So, I try to get along with her for our daughter’s sake.”

I thought for a moment about what he was saying. I didn’t know if this was just a vacation tryst—which was what I initially planned for us—or if it might go somewhere, but either way, it seemed that I didn’t have to worry about him having lingering feelings for his ex.

I could deal with her buzzing around as long as he didn’t want her back.

With that in mind, I grinned. “You know… sneaking around behind her back could actually be a little fun.”

I stepped closer to him, and he grabbed my hips, pulling me in to stand in the space between his parted thighs. I cupped his face as he tilted his head back. My lips had just brushed over his when the damn knocking started up again, followed immediately by the ringing of his cell phone in the living room.

“Greyson, I can hear your phone ringing through the door. I know you’re there,” Audrey called out, and Greyson let out a frustrated growl as he rested his forehead on my shoulder.

“Did I say she was difficult? I meant to say that she’s a complete pain in the ass.”

I chuckled quietly. “You better go see what she wants.”

“It’s never anything important.” But he stood.

He took my hand and we went out into the living room. Greyson grabbed his phone off the coffee table and I saw Audrey’s name on the screen.

I might have admired her persistence if she wasn’t such a pain in the ass, as Greyson put it.

“I’d better sneak out the back,” I said, giving him a wink to lighten the mood a bit. “You know it’s my first ever walk of shame.”

He rolled his eyes and pecked my lips. “Somehow, I don’t think you’re ashamed at all.”

My legs still felt weak from the pounding he gave me, so all I could do was smile as I slipped out of the sliding glass door that led to the deck, my sandals in hand. Greyson was already heading to the front door to deal with Audrey, and I hoped it went well for him. She was obviously a handful.

I hurried across the deck to the stairs on the side, nearly stumbling in my hurry to get out of sight of the glass door. There was a thrill of excitement at the idea of hiding from Audrey, and I found myself grinning as my feet reached the sand.

Then, I realized that someone I knew was standing on the deck of the bungalow next door, watching me curiously.

Zoey, the sister of the groom, seemed like a nice woman, though I barely knew her. When my eyes met hers, I felt my cheeks heat. I knew that I had to look like a mess, and she could probably tell what I’d just been up to.

“Uh… is there any way that you can pretend you didn’t see me?” I asked.

Zoey frowned, her eyes shifting to Greyson’s bungalow. “What did you do? Isn’t the guy in that bungalow married?”

I bristled. “It’s not what it looks like.”

That was such a cliché thing to say, but Zoey just looked thoughtful for a moment before giving a slight nod.

“Okay,” she said with clear reluctance. “You were never here.”

I didn’t know what else to say, and I didn’t want to hang around in case Audrey came out onto the back deck. So, I slipped on my sandals and slid around the side of the bungalow.

Audrey would have no idea I was here at all, but Greyson would, and I hoped he’d be open to a repeat of this afternoon soon.

It was just what I needed to make this the best vacation ever.