Chapter 9
New Direction
Julian almost didn’t want me to go when he dropped me off the yacht. But it was time for me to work. I admit, spending time with Julian was a much-needed escape. A part of me wished I could stay with him longer, but another part of me longed to get back into the action. I also missed my co-workers.
When I got to the yacht, the crew was already there; they had returned the day before. Something had obviously blossomed and escalated between Zofia and Paul because they were standing very close to each other. They also looked at each other like they were fond of each other.
The new captain was due to arrive at noon. When he got on board, we could immediately tell he was in charge. He had a tall stature, red hair and a smile. With a thick Australian accent, he introduced himself as Captain John, and his handshake was very firm.
It seemed like he was going to be as easy-going as Captain Youssef was or even more so. Paul and Zofia took him for a tour of the yacht. Kathleen and I spent the rest of the afternoon prepping for a welcome dinner for the captain.
Our next charter was going to be another long one. This time it would be eight days. We would take a tour of St. Vincent, the Grenadines, and then St. Lucia. And then, back to Grenada.
Julian kept texting me every day, at night, he would Facetime me. He was eager for my return to Grenada to see him. Maverick also kept in touch, asking questions about his business, but also would send me funny text messages. He also asked me when I was going to give him bartending lessons.
The crew got along well with Captain John. He was more gregarious, and he loved to play music. The guests seem to enjoy his company too. Although I liked Captain John, I missed Captain Youssef. I wondered how he was doing, and how his family was doing. I still would watch the sunrise, but this time, by myself. My crewmates wanted to get as much sleep as possible. I was the only one who was eager to wake up early in the morning to catch the sunrise. Perhaps it was because I was making up for lost time. I used to be too busy with building my business, I didn’t spend some quiet time to be with myself.
There were no conversations with Captain Youssef, but I didn’t feel alone. I left voicemails for my mother. I updated her on Julian and Maverick. I told her about how handsome and successful Julian was. I also told her about Maverick, and how he and I had been developing a friendship. I actually looked forward to the funny memes or jokes that he texts me. I told her I was falling in love with Julian, and that Benoit was starting to become a distant memory.
I Facetimed Lisa one night. It was close to bedtime in Colorado, and the boys were getting ready to sleep except there was something they needed help with.
“So, Harper, I’m not good with math,” Lisa revealed. “I failed math. I hate numbers.”
“What about math?”
“Can you help solve this math problem for us?” Lisa was sitting with Beckett in his bed.
“Well, you came to the right person. I’m here to save the day.” I had mentioned to Lisa that before I took up cooking school, I almost became an accountant. I ended up with a degree in Business but also decided to take up culinary school at the same time.
Beckett was holding a pen and a paper and read me the math question. It wasn’t too complicated but, it did require thinking.
Lisa looked at the camera. “I know I’m a bad mother, Harper. I can’t cook to feed my children, and I can’t solve math problems.”
“You’re too funny, Lisa. Of course, I don’t take that against you. You’re a great mom.” I smiled.
“Well, except for the fact that I almost burnt down the house again,” she said with a sheepish grin.
Beckett nodded his head. “Yeah, she almost did, trying to cook pancakes.”
“Pancakes? How can you mess that up, Lisa?”
Lisa shrugged her shoulders. “I’m just lousy at cooking, I guess.”
I chatted with them for close to an hour before we said our goodbyes. I really missed them and was hoping I could see them soon. I thought that once I got the shares of my restaurant, it would be a good idea to help fund their trip to Grenada.
When we docked in Grenada, we were only given three days off. I told Julian I was just going to be able to spend two days with him. Julian was disappointed. I didn’t tell him I would be spending a few hours teaching Maverick how to mix new drinks.
Julian and I ended up spending time on the beach and in his pool. As usual, he had an insatiable sex drive, and we made love several times.
I had Julian drop me off near where the yacht was docked. Our guests were arriving the next day, so Kathleen and I made sure we went to the market to get resupplied with food. I had hired Viktor’s cousin, Barry, as the driver; we rented a van. The first order of the day was to buy food at the market. Once we bought everything, we dropped it off at the yacht, where Kathleen, Paul and Zofia helped to unload it. Then I asked Barry to take me to The Flamingo to meet up with Maverick for his lessons.
Maverick made himself available as promised. He was by the bar, ready for the bartending lessons. I had emailed him the recipe for making six cocktails. I told him it was good to follow the measurement and not winging it as he usually did. It was a bad habit for him to break.
At first, he was very clumsy but soon got the hang of it. When we finished, we were left with six different cocktails. I didn’t believe in wasting good liquor, so I offered to drink one or two of them. Maverick called Viktor to join us at the bar.
Viktor looked confused, and Maverick laughed.
“I know I told you not to drink at work, but now’s the time to break the rule.”
Viktor didn’t know which drink to pick but finally got the pineapple one. I got the mango-flavored cocktail. Maverick drank the vodka one.
“Let’s toast,” I said.
We clinked glasses and drank our drinks.
Viktor seemed impressed because he complimented Maverick. “Good job, Boss. This tastes good.”
“So, the ones I made before were not good?”
Viktor hesitated, turning to me for support.
“Now, Viktor, please be honest now,” I teased.
“Yes, they were not as good. But now, this one is better.”
“What a diplomatic thing to say,” I commended him. “If you ask me, Maverick, my honest opinion was that your drinks were terrible. But now, if you follow the measuring guide, you’re going to do great.”
“Surely, they were not that terrible?” Maverick looked at me, pretending to be hurt.
I sipped the drink and said, “Sir, I’m afraid they were very terrible.” I let out a laugh.
Maverick laughed too.
After Viktor finished his drink, he went back to the kitchen to prepare.
“He’s a good worker,” Maverick pointed out.
“I know. He’s great. I’m glad that you gave him a job.”
“He deserves it.”
There were three drinks left on the table. I picked the blue curacao drink, and he picked the Painkiller with pineapple, coconut, orange juice, and nutmeg. Grenada was known as the spice capital of the Caribbean, and it was only appropriate we used spice in the drink.
Maverick seemed impressed by his own creations.
“Do you like it?” I asked. I picked the cocktails that had tropical fruits and juices in them. We’re in the Caribbean after all.
Maverick sipped on the cocktail again and had a look of satisfaction on his face. “This is damn good!”
I was getting more relaxed on my second drink that I felt comfortable enough to ask him personal questions. “So, Maverick, what are you doing on this island? You’re so far away from home.” Ordinarily, I wouldn’t ask him these questions, but today seemed like the right occasion.
He leaned forward. “I got divorced. I needed a change of pace. An opportunity popped up, and I just booked a one-way ticket to nowhere. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one with that story.”
My cheeks warmed slightly. Coincidentally, we were on the same boat. “It’s a lot more common than you think.” I smiled. “But you’re the first one I know who jumped into a restaurant business with no knowledge or idea of what he’s doing.”
“That’s how I learned about, Harper. I jumped in headfirst?”
“Pretty impulsive, don’t you think.”
“I’m not the only one.”
“What does that mean?”
“I’m not the one who got involved with a total stranger. I’d at least listen to what my friends think.” Maverick’s tone changed, becoming serious.
“Are you talking about me and Julian?” I suddenly felt uneasy.
“You don’t know him like I do, Harper.”
I felt personally attacked. “Are you telling me who to date now?”
“No, it’s not like that. I just had a negative experience with him. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
I stood up from the stool. “I really appreciate you hiring me to be your consultant. But after I’ve fulfilled my part, I won’t go back here anymore. Bye.” I turned around and walked out.
Maverick ran after me, and he touched my shoulder. “Hey, Harper. Don’t do this. I’m sorry. I didn’t want to upset you. I’m just telling the truth. I invested my money so we could partner up. You know, build properties together, but he took my money.”
I stopped to give Maverick a chance to talk. “Okay, go on.” I folded my arms.
“But he partnered up with someone else. And he almost didn’t pay me back.”
“Almost?” I asked, starting to get impatient.
“Yes. He wouldn’t have paid until I kept hounding him. He paid me back after a year, but it seemed he wouldn’t pay me at first.”
“But he did pay you back?”
“Yes, he did.”
“Every cent?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. Bye.”
I walked out and stepped into the rental car. I told the driver to take me back to the yacht, and I didn’t look back. Maverick tried calling me, but I turned off my phone.