But for some reason, it feels like the stakes just got upped or something.
It’s going to be a lot more…intimate.I had pictured feeding dinner to an entire party of like fifteen to twenty people. There’s a more distant element to a party like that.
But at least I don’t have to cook as much food,I reason with my anxiety. I nod to myself like a crazy person, and then force myself to stand up. Slowly but surely, I unpack my suitcase,which is full of mostly casual attire. I stuff it into the drawers and load the bathroom with all my things from home.
The process of unpacking helps me settle my racing heart, and by the time I’m exiting my room to head to the lounge, I’ve fully convinced myself that everything is going to be okay.
I can totally do this. I’m getting paid alotof money to do it.
I climb the spiral stairs, stopping at the main deck. We’re still parked at the marina, and once again, I can hear laughter coming from the other side of the steel door. I reach for the handle, take a deep breath, and then press the lever down.
I push the door inward and step into an immaculate, luxurious lounge. It follows the same grayscale theme as the rest of the boat, but this floor has a splash of navy blue in the mix. There, on one of the couches, are two men, both around my father’s age. One is dark-haired, olive-skinned, and has intense green eyes behind black-rimmed glasses. The other has dirty blonde hair and a warm expression.
They’re lost in conversation with Brody, who’s sitting on the arm of another chair across from them. And honestly, Ihatethe fact that every single one of them is impossibly attractive.
And probably super rich, too.
I let out a sigh without thinking, and the man with the dirty blonde hair’s eyes jump to me. His blue eyes seem to glow as they meet mine, and my head starts to spin.
Holy fuck, he’s hot.
“You must be our new chef?” His voice carries through the lounge, booming in a way that commands attention. “Georgie, right?”
Somehow, I manage to bob my head up and down. I should’ve corrected him, but I can’t seem to get my mouth to work. No one really calls me Georgie except family… and Brody.
He grins, flashing perfect teeth. “I’m Emmett.” He stands to his feet, as Brody and the second man, whom I now assume isMiles, turn their attention to me. “It’s really nice to meet you.” With a beer in one hand, he makes his way to me, extending his free hand.
I peer up at the six-foot-something intimidatingly handsome man. “Nice to meet you too,” I say confidently—way more confidently than I thought I could muster. “I’m excited to be a part of this for the next month.”
His lips curl upward, his warm hand still lingering on mine. “I like your enthusiasm, Georgie.”
I swallow hard as he pulls his hand away, then clear my throat. “Thank you.”
“This is Miles,” Brody speaks up, gesturing to the dark-haired man still seated on the couch. “He’s an attorney in Boston, and definitely the smartest out of the three of us.”
“I don’t know about that.” Miles’s eyes finally find mine, and I feel a hint of curiosity toward him, and the way he doesn’t seem to react to anything at all.I’d hate to have him cross-examine me in the courtroom.
“Emmett,” Brody gestures to the man beside me, “is a travel writer. He’s been to almost every country in the world.”
“Wow, that’s amazing,” I say, easily picturing him making friends wherever he goes.
“And you’re Robert’sdaughter?” Emmett asks, his warm, smooth voice almost shocking to my system. “I don’t really see the resemblance.”
“It’s subtle,” Brody answers him. “It always has been. She takes after a grandmother on her mother’s side.”
I raise my brows.How does he even know that?I feel completely lost in the moment, realizing how surreal this whole situation is.
I’m actually going to spend the next thirty days with these three men.
I fold my arms across my chest as Brody heads toward me, placing a hand on Emmett’s broad shoulder.
“Let me show you the kitchen,” he smiles. “These guys can talk your ear off later.” He gestures with his head towards the kitchen, and my stomach drops when I realize I can see it from where I’m standing.
It’s in clear view of the lounge.
So while they’re hanging out in here, they can watch me cook like it’s some sort of show. My knees feel weak at that thought, but I brush it off. I can’t help the layout of the yacht.
Besides, they’ll probably be outside, enjoying the weather or something.
