Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 128211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
PRODUCER
You helped out a little on service this charter, too. How was that?
Gisella hides face, peeking through fingers before dropping hands to thighs with a sigh.
GISELLA
To me, service is always the hardest part of a charter. Working the exterior is hard work physically, but we get to have fun with the guests. On the interior, it’s all about precision — and it was clear to me very quickly that Ember runs her crew differently than Palmer.
PRODUCER
Meaning?
GISELLA
Well… she’s a bit of a perfectionist. And I guess you sort of have to be to be chief stew. But she was kind of cruel to Finn that first night, wasn’t she? I don’t think it was that serious. It’s just dinner.
PRODUCER
Yeah, that was pretty intense, huh?
GISELLA
So intense. Eli and I were torn between laughing and staying as invisible as possible so we didn’t get our heads bit off.
PRODUCER
Why do you think Finn and Ember clashed so much that first dinner?
GISELLA
Oh, I don’t know. It happens sometimes with chefs and chief stews. They work together really closely, and they usually both have their own way of doing things. It’s normal to have some high tension. And look at how great dinner was the next night. It all balances out in the end, they just have to find their footing.
PRODUCER
So, you’re not worried about it being a problem this season?
GISELLA
No. I think this crew is going to be the best one this show has seen.
PRODUCER
Love that energy! Yeah, maybe they just needed to yell at each other and get some of that frustration out. It’s got to be hard working so closely with an ex.
Gisella frowns, tilts head.
GISELLA
I don’t understand… ex?
PRODUCER
Yeah. Finn and Ember used to date.
GISELLA
They… what?
Once the boat was in decent shape and the post-charter interviews were done, we all retreated to the crew mess to get ready for the night out. It was all music and laughter, the doors to every cabin open as crew members flowed in and out, asking about outfits, getting opinions on colognes, and pouring pre-game shots.
When we piled into the two van cabs that would take us to dinner and then to the bars, I ended up sandwiched between Eli and Cameron.
Not a bad place to be, if I was being honest.
“Ember, this top…” Eli said, biting his knuckle as his eyes shamelessly raked over my cleavage. His other arm was draped around the seat behind me, and I didn’t mind at all that we were touching from knee to hip.
“Easy, killer,” Cam said from my other side. “You need to respect the authority on our boat.”
“Palmer’s my boss, not Em.”
“I’m higher rank than you, though,” I reminded him.
“Maybe I like a woman in power.”
He smirked, casting me one of his signature winks that made me roll my eyes and shove at his chest. We were all already a bit tipsy, and even though I pretended to be annoyed by his advances, I welcomed them.
It was nice to feel wanted, and to take my mind off my ex who was riding behind us in the other cab with his girlfriend.
“Did anyone else catch the iciness from Gisella after interviews?” Leah asked from the backseat.
“I thought I heard her and Cheffy getting into it in his cabin,” Cameron chimed in.
I frowned. “Like fighting? Why? They seemed fine at the tip meeting.”
“Shit. You don’t think Cheffy saw me whip G’s ass with a towel when we were shammying, do you?” Eli pretended to be scared before sinking back with an even bigger smirk on his face. “Or maybe the horny bastard just wants a spanking himself.”
I chuckled with the rest of the crew, but lost focus on the conversation as Leah shifted to talking about how hungry she was. I racked my brain, trying to think of anything that could have happened to make Finn and Gisella have a fight. Then, I chastised myself for caring.
It wasn’t any of my business.
Still, I couldn’t help but watch them as they climbed out of the van behind us when we pulled up to the restaurant. Finn offered a hand to help Gisella out, but she barely looked at him once her feet were on the pavement. She folded her arms over her chest, scowling.
And then, she turned that death glare to me.
I flinched a little at getting caught staring, but saved it with a smile.
Except Gisella didn’t smile back.
I thought I saw her shake her head a little before she stormed toward the restaurant, sliding her arm through Bernard’s and leading the way. Cameron and Palmer followed behind them, Eli ruffling Finn’s hair like a kid, and then Leah and I took up the rear.
“I’m so excited to be off that boat for a while,” Leah said, slipping her arm through mine. “The days blend when you’re down in laundry.”
“It’s a shame you’re so good at laundry.”