CHAPTER TEN
Gina
Flirting with Hunter was not on my checklist for this summer. In fact, flirting with Hunter and looking forward to bickering with him was also not on my bingo card for the year. All I can think is that I need the toxicity that exists within my brain to remove itself quickly. I've only been at the Waverlys’ for five days, but it already feels like I've been here far longer than that.
I stretch my arms and yawn as I slide out of bed. As my alarm continues beeping, it alerts me to the fact that it's 7:00 a.m., and I have thirty minutes to shower, grab a quick breakfast, and then head to Preston's study to interview him for an hour, before accompanying Enid to whatever chores she has for the morning, then heading to the writing group and having lunch. The members of the group still confound me, as does the relationship between Enid and Amethyst, but I just go along with it because there's not really much else I can do.
I haven't seen Hunter in days, even though I've taken numerous casual walks around the gardens in hopes of seeing him again, only to tell him that I hope he’s working hard. ButI haven't seen him. I'm also no closer to meeting the Waverlys’ grandson, which brings me much distress because he's the key to everything. Whenever I attempt to bring up family to Preston or Enid, they ignore me and continue talking about themselves.
I have yet to hear much about their relationship from either of them. I feel like I've been inundated with information about their own individual childhoods, but nothing about their union and love story, which is ironic because that's why I'm here. I'm starting to feel like a biographer for their personal memoirs, and the worst part is that I haven't even acquired any juicy information from either one of them.
I sigh as I grab a pair of jeans and a cute top, just in case I see Hunter, and quickly brush my hair and teeth before heading downstairs to start the day. I groan as I grab my phone and see the two missed calls from Holly. She's not going to be happy to hear that I have zero leads for a groundbreaking or scandalous story.
"I have nothing for you, Holly," I mutter under my breath. I'm surprised to see that Amethyst is standing in the kitchen when I enter.
"Good morning, Gina." She looks up from the watermelon she's cutting. There's a cheery expression on her face, far too cheery for this early in the morning.
"Morning." I look around, but I don't see anyone else in the room.
"Cook's not here," Amethyst explains. "Her daughter, Trapezium, went into labor, so she has gone to the mainland for a couple of weeks to help. I am making breakfast for Preston, and then they have someone coming in tomorrow to take over the cooking while she's away."
"Oh, I didn't know she had a daughter," I say. I don't even bother commenting on Cook's daughter's name because who names their kid Trapezium? Would she name her son Octagonor Hexagon? I head to the pantry and grab a box of cereal when suddenly a memory hits me. "Wait." I hurry out of the pantry. "Aren't the Waverlys having a dinner party tonight?" I ask Amethyst as I head back into the kitchen.
"A party, karate, tomato, potato. It's all just for show. Why don’t we go? I’m a poet, and I know it. But cuisine is not my thing." She wrinkles her nose and shrugs.
I press my lips together at her nonsensical response. I want to ask her what reviews she thought Shakespeare would give that small poem, but I don't say anything. Amethyst has always been nothing but polite to me, but I've noticed the way she speaks to Enid and the captain. She can be cutting with her words when she wants to be.
"I guess they have someone catering it, then," I continue. She shakes her head, her eyes widening.
"Oh, dear me, I nearly forgot." She slaps her hand down on the marble countertop, and Bear Grylls comes running into the kitchen like someone had just calledTreat, and he was determined not to miss out.
"You forgot what?" I ask absentmindedly as I bend down to pet Bear and scratch the spot between his fuzzy golden ears.
"You are going to cook dinner tonight," she says, smiling at me widely like my heart isn't dropping inside.
"What?" My jaw feels slack, and I look over at her, certain that my tone is giving away how aghast I feel by her words.
"Dinner for ten," she beams. "To be ready at 6:00 p.m."
"Wait, what?" I blink at her. "Are you sure?"
"Am I sure? Yes. There's a cure to eat. It is to greet. For me is the seed?—"
"Amethyst." I cut her off sharply. "I'm just not in the mood right now. What on earth are you talking about? They can't expect me to make dinner for ten people. Are they out of their minds? I can barely make pasta for two."
"Well, I suppose you will have to figure it out." Her eyes don't look very concerned, and she just shakes her head as she grabs a piece of watermelon and bites down into it. "They are probably taking advantage of you. It's the Waverly way."
"I can't cook for ten people." I shake my head vehemently. "I don't know what to make for a dinner party of two, and I am here to work as a ghostwriter. I'm not here to work in the kitchen. That's not my job.”
“And I'm not meant to be the quirky, poor best friend, yet here we are." She plays with the squirrel earrings hanging in her earlobes and shakes her head, and I wonder what she’s talking about.
"I suppose you can tell them no. However, no one tells them no. I know they wanted it to be a special event because their grandson will be in attendance."
My heart races at her words. “Their grandson will be there?”
"Yes, the party is in his honor." She lowers her voice and looks around. "It's a celebration, so to speak."
My heart races a million beats per minute, and I think about Holly's missed calls. This could be the lead I need for my story. I can feel it. Shit. I am going to have to cook dinner. I have a feeling he is going to announce his engagement. What else would they be celebrating? I will finally have something to write about. I rub my eyebrows back and forth and attempt to brainstorm some simple dishes that I can make.
