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)
I was checking cabins.
False. Because Bernard had already done them.
I was working on laundry.
False. Because it was still a mess in there when we wrapped dinner service, and I had been the one to sort through it all.
Palmer needed me on deck.
False. We were anchored, the water toys were already put away, the sun had set, and there was nothing more to do until Eli cleaned while on night watch.
The only reason we were surviving right now was because the guests were clearly not used to the yacht life, or they were just ridiculously gracious. Because I knew that dinner service had been clunky and slow, drinks while they relaxed on the sundeck before had been delayed, their cabin refreshes during dinner were mediocre at best, and we were now running thirty minutes behind, and counting, for their beach picnic.
“Oi, you’re smashing it,” Bernard said, pausing where he was packing coolers long enough to grab me by the shoulders and give me a little shake. I’d been pinching the bridge of my nose and forcing some calming breaths, but I didn’t feel any more at peace than two minutes ago.
I tried to force a smile. “Thanks. You okay?”
“Fit as a fiddle,” he lied.
“I want you to go down for a break once you get the cabins in order,” I told him, checking my watch. “I’ll have Gisella make the welcome drinks for when we get back.”
He arched a brow. “You certain?”
“You need rest.”
“So do you.”
“Chief stews don’t rest.” I winked at him through my sleepy smile. “Alright, let’s get these coolers in the tender.”
I called for Eli and Cameron’s help over the radio, and once they’d lugged the coolers away, it was just me and Finn in the galley.
“Okay,” I breathed, running over the list in my phone. “We’ve got the drinks, glasses, ice, tables, décor… napkins, plates, flatware… towels, sunscreen…” I paused where I was checking off items long enough to call to Palmer on the radio and make sure he had umbrellas and the tent for shade. Once he confirmed, I continued. “And you have everything you need?” I asked, finally looking up at Finn. “All the appetizers already prepared, everything you need for the grill?”
Finn was wiping down where he’d prepped the citrus and herb couscous salad that would be served as a side.
He was also watching me in the most curious way.
His mouth was tilted at the edge, his eyes shining like the water outside the small galley windows behind him.
“What?” I asked.
“You were built for this, you know that?”
The words were soft, lilted by his accent and subtle appreciation.
I chuffed a laugh. “Yeah. I’m slaying it.”
“You are.”
“If we’re judging by these first two charters, I think everyone in the world would argue the opposite.”
“No one in the world knows you like I do.”
He said it casually, but the moment the words were in the space between us, the air grew heavier. Finn paused where he was cleaning, his smile waning, and I furrowed my brows as I looked at him and waited.
For what? For him to apologize, to explain those words away?
For him to double down and say them again?
Neither happened, because Gisella swept into the galley, and I cleared my throat, turning my attention back to the list on my phone.
“I’m so sad I don’t get to go with you to the beach,” Gisella pouted, throwing her arms around his shoulders. “It’s not fair.”
I rolled my eyes, and that was just enough of a glance in their direction for me to see Finn swallow.
“Trust me, it’ll be more fun on the boat with the guests gone. Beach picnics are hard work.”
“Sure, such a misfortune.” Gisella sighed. “I guess it will be nice to get a bit of a break. I feel like I’ve barely come up for air this charter, balancing both deck and interior.”
I couldn’t help it. I snorted a sarcastic laugh that felt as awkward as it sounded. Both their gazes slid to me, and I tried to cover it by pretending to cough, making my eyes water.
“Something in my throat,” I muttered through another fit. “I’m going to head over with this tender and start getting everything set up. Gisella, I’ll radio when we’re ready for the guests. I told Bernard to go down for his break as soon as we’re gone. Can you take care of cabins and make sure we have a welcome drink for the guests when we return?”
“So much for that break,” Gisella said to Finn, as if it was quiet enough that I wouldn’t hear when she pinned me with a fake smile. “Yes, ma’am.”
Ma’am.
As if I were ten years her senior.
I wanted to smack that smirk right off her gorgeous face, but in a feat of restraint I was surprised I had, I mirrored her smile and just said, “Thank you.”