And then it came.
Camila:Why not?
Triumph raced through him as a smile pulled at his lips. He’d been looking for a way to break beyond the professional layer, and call him crazy, but this seemed like the perfect way to do it.
A bout of nervous energy wrestled through him. This was definitely new territory, no doubt about it, but James couldn’t get himself to worry about that any longer.
Despite the fact that he’d steered clear of choices like this, despite the fact that pursuing Camila Lopez made him more nervous than asking a girl out for the very first time, James was willing to risk it. If his instincts about her were correct, she might just be worth that risk.
Chapter 9
It took Camila great effort to keep her irrational brain from coming to irrational conclusions. The moment she’d seen James’ text, her heart had fluttered out of beat while her face went fire hot, and there was no way Kyler hadn’t noticed.
It was as if James Benton had asked her to come along as hisdate, not his private chef who’d be preparing his meals for him on the yacht. Kyler had been ready to drive them to the excursion when he arrived, but James had asked for an hour to get packed up and ready.
Camila stirred the frosting for the rolls and sighed. She assumed the excursion was more of a ride-until-evening type of event. Maybe catch the sunset on the way back, but she was second-guessing that idea. As it was, James was checking in with his brother—the one who’d booked the yacht trip—to see what they could expect.
She eyed the rolls on the cooling rack, realizing she should attend to other things while they cooled. But what other things? She’d already given James his smoothie so he could start on it while he packed. But what did packing look like for her? Just how many meals would she need to prepare for? And what else should she bring?
If she brought a swimsuit it would be too assumptive; she was an employee, not a guest. But if she—
“I just checked in with Duke,” James said, entering the kitchen with a small travel bag looped over his shoulder. “It’s three days and two nights, so pack a few clothes.” He glanced down at the cinnamon rolls and grinned. “Oh, can we bring these?”
“Yes. I mean, I’m planning on it. I just…” Camila drifted off as she tried to wrap her head around what he’d said. “Did you saythreewhole days?”
James nodded. “Is that okay?”
It felt as if a construction crew had taken up residence in her chest. Hammering away while building a new creation. It was just that, it felt very much like he was asking her out on a date of sorts.You’re cooking for him, you dork. Get over yourself.
Suddenly James’ brow furrowed. “You don’t get motion sickness, do you? I’m sure they have stuff for that on board if you do.”
“No,” she assured. “I’ve been on plenty of boats. I should be fine.” But she couldn’t get over the idea of packing up meal items for the next three days. “I’ll hurry and get some food packed up for the meals. I assume they have a full kitchen?”
“Oh,” James said, a hint of laughter in his voice. “No, they’ll have a cook there. An entire crew, in fact. Food, room service, all of that. Just bring yourself, some clothes, and a swimsuit.”
Holy smokes.So she wouldn’t be cooking for him. Now it really felt like a date.
“Of course,” James was saying, “we can’t leave these babies behind either.” He motioned to the cinnamon rolls once more. “Mind if I steal one of these before we go?”
“They’re not frosted yet,” she said, assuming that would stop him, but it didn’t. He grabbed onto the edge of one, tore a portion away from the roll, and brought it to his mouth.
“Mmm,” he mumbled while he chewed. He grinned at her and readied to take another bite. “Taste good without it.”
Camila gave into a grin, liking that the playful side of him had returned. Plus, there was the fact that he’d actually asked her to come along as his guest.
“I’m glad you like it,” she said. It came out delayed, but she hadn’t quite caught up. She pointed toward the doorway, hoping her feet would carry her in that direction even though they felt tingly suddenly. “I’ll go get packed.”
She paused for a blink as she noticed James looking at the pantry slip she’d just filled out. Was he checking to see if she’d ordered enough watermelon? Probably.
“Do you always sign your name like this?” he asked.
It was such an off question that Camila had to repeat it in her mind before forming an answer. “Like what?” She resisted the urge to walk over and take a look at it. She’d been signing her name the same way, heart dotting the ‘I’ since she was thirteen.
“With this heart. It took me a minute to realize that was part of your signature,” James continued with a shrug. “It looks nice.”
“Thanks. And yeah, that’s how I always do it.” She stood there nodding until James set his attention to a sight out the window. She took that as her cue.
While hurrying toward the main spiral staircase, a very important detail shot to her mind: She wouldn’t be working on the yacht. The thought nearly made her stop in her tracks. A bit of panic kicked in. This was a bad idea. What if he tried digging into her past? And why would he have her come along if she wouldn’t be making his meals like she’d been hired to do?
