Escape To Paradise: A Perfect Escapist Sweet and Spicy Summer Beach Read For 2024

Chapter 5

A Blossoming Romance

The yacht sailed to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The guests had spent two days enjoying the island, and then it was back to Grenada. I felt sad to see the guests go. It stung since Julian was leaving too.

Before disembarking, he promised, “I’ll call you, Harper. We’re going to meet again.” He looked at me with his piercing blue eyes. “Don’t be sad now.”

“You better call.”

“That’s a promise.”

He turned around and waved at me before heading down the plank, along with the other guests.

Zofia and Kathleen tried to cheer me up.

“Don’t worry, Harper, he’ll call,” Zofia assured me. “There’s a to-be-continued between the two of you.”

“You think so?” I asked rather hopefully.

“The chemistry between the two of you, the tension, you can cut with a knife. There’s a connection there. And that connection will not easily break.”

I tried to shake the feeling of sadness off. “Let’s go back to work, ladies,” I reminded them. There was a collective groan as Kathleen and Zofia followed me back inside. The stress levels were equally high when it came to cleaning, organizing, planning, and preparing meals for the guests.

I had not heard from Julian the following day. I was expecting a phone call or at least a text, but so far, nothing. I busied myself shopping at the local market for supplies and ingredients. After we organized and loaded the food into the pantry, we planned the meal for the next charter.

Part of working on a luxury yacht was being flexible. The captain said that the next batch of guests were coming in three days. So, we had a lot of time to read over their meal preferences, which the guests had e-mailed over to us a few days or weeks before their trip.

The girls seemed to love going to The Flamingo, so we went there that night.

“Long time no see, girls. What will you be having today?” Maverick asked. He winked at me, trying to be charming and, as usual, he was flashing his megawatt smile. He was wearing a white T-shirt and board shorts; he seemed to have more tan than the last time we saw him.

The girls ordered mojitos, and I ordered a Seven and Seven. Maverick scratched his head when I ordered it. “So, I know how to make a mojito. But what is that? I’ve never heard of it.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll tell you how to make it. In fact, if you’ll allow me, I can make it myself.”

“Wow, bold customer, huh?” He smiled.

Maverick had unusual green-colored eyes. His eyes were light green in the middle, while the periphery was darker. He had attractive eyes.

“What are you staring at?” he asked.

I stepped into the bar and moved closer to him, staring at his eyes as if mesmerized.

“You really have unique colored eyes,” I commented.

I didn’t realize I was very close to him that I could hear him breathing.

“I got it from my dad’s side. He’s Arabic.”

“Maverick, you’re full of surprises. Don’t you know that?”

“I guess.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Teach me how to make that drink.”

“Just follow the master,” I boasted. I wasn’t as good as Benoit at mixing drinks, but I’d worked behind the bar on some occasions.

I started making my drink of 7 Up and whiskey. Then, I placed ice cubes on a tall clear glass and mixed the drink. I handed the drink to Maverick; he seemed surprised.

“I thought you made that drink for you?” he asked.

“I want you to taste it.” I was still standing very close to him; he took a step back.

He was hesitant to try it and sniffed it before tasting it. Then his facial expression changed to that of satisfaction. “Well, it’s good.”

“That’s how you make it. Did you pay attention?” I asked him.

“I was a little distracted.”

“I noticed. You weren’t really watching me how to make the drink. It seems you were watching me,” I teased.

“Well, it’s not every day that a beautiful woman walks into my bar and makes herself a drink.” He was obviously flirting.

“Oh, Maverick, you’re so hopeless. Your charms won’t work on me.”

“A man can still try.” He laughed nervously.

I didn’t notice it before, but he was attractive, though a little too short for my liking. I’ve never dated a guy not much taller than me. Both Benoit and my college boyfriend were over six feet tall. But what Maverick lacked in height, he compensated with charm.

I sat back in my seat and grabbed a slice of pizza and wings that the girls had ordered. When Kathleen ate the food, she wrinkled her nose.

“How is it?” I asked her.

“Well, the pizza crust, it’s too chewy. And the wings are too salty.” That was Kathleen’s critique.

“That’s not good.” I tasted it myself. I loved the garlic taste on the chicken wings, but it was indeed too salty. The food needed some work. The pizza had the right flavor, but the crust was too thick and chewy.

Maverick stood there and took in all our feedback.

“See? That’s why I need you, Harper. Can I hire you to work for me in developing my menu? I mean, you can teach my cook. He’s a decent cook, but he’s no Gordon Ramsay.”

I smiled. “You know what? Yeah, you can hire me as a consultant. I’ll help train your cook.”

“Great. Name your price.” Maverick looked serious.

“I’ll help you out as a friend.”

Maverick winced. “Friend? As a friend? Is that an insult? I’ve been friend-zoned?”

I laughed. “Of course. You suck at flirting. But at least you get to have my phone number now.”

“Oh, that.” Maverick looked disappointed. Accepting his fate, he extended his hand for a handshake.

I shook his hand. “You’ve got a deal.”

“Can I have your phone number now?” he pleaded.

“You’re insufferable, Maverick.” I sighed.

We exchanged phone numbers. And when the girls and I left to go back to the yacht, I received a text message. I was hoping it was from Julian. I was disappointed to find out that it was from Maverick. He had texted me goodnight. I texted him with an obligatory reply.