Chapter 2 #2
“You’re going to be an amazing chef for the next month, and send me all the updates. I bet the women will be in so much designer garb. You have to sneak pics to send to me.” Lily plops down on the bed, looking up at me with a wistful expression on her face. “You’re literally so lucky.”
“I’m going to look so ridiculous compared to those kinds of women.” I purse my lips, thinking about the fact that my bathing suit came from Target… not Gucci. “I bet I’ll spend most of my time hiding in the kitchen. I mean, I have to make three meals a day, I assume?”
Lily shrugs. “You make amazing food. You’re quick, too. I’m sure after dinner, you can step out and see the stars.” She smiles up at me. “You’re about to go on the adventure of a lifetime. You have to let yourself enjoy it, Georgia.”
“Right, I know,” I say, nodding. “But this is also a job. I have to take it seriously. If I treat it like it’s a vacation, I could really fuck it up. I don’t want him to think I’m just trying to take advantage of him.”
Her brows skyrocket. “Girl, I don’t think he’d mind if you took advantage of him. I saw the way that silver fox was checking you out on your birthday.”
“He was not,” I counter, though I can feel my face heating up. “He’s my dad’s best friend. He’s known me for like my whole life. They were in the Navy together. I’m just a kid to him.”
“You are definitely not a kid anymore,” she bursts into laughter. “You shouldn’t short yourself like that.”
Before I can argue with her, the doorbell echoes through the house. Lily jumps up from where she’s sitting on the edge of the bed, wiggling her brows at me.
“He’s here,” she sings into the house as she heads for the door.
I roll my eyes at her and grab my things, stopping by the full-length mirror to make sure that I look presentable in my light-wash jeans and cream sweater. According to Pinterest, this fits the whole sailing look.
But I really have no idea.
I lug my suitcase down the hall, hearing Lily’s airy voice as she greets Brody. I step into the living room, and my eyes are immediately drawn to Brody, who’s standing on the stoop in a pair of Ray-Bans, a white linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and a pair of shorts.
Ugh. Once again, effortlessly freaking sexy.
And I’m not sure there will ever be a time I don’t think so.
“Hey!” Brody greets me, looking past Lily. “You ready?”
I nod, ignoring the way my whole body feels shaky when he looks at me. “I think I am. I have no idea what you wear to something like this.” I have the urge to slap my hand over my mouth because apparently, I just can’t seem to be professional with him.
But Brody only chuckles. “You can wear whatever you want. We’re not that uptight on the Serendipity.”
“Great,” I force a smile. “Then let’s go.”
Lily gives me a smile and a hug on my way out the door. “I’ll hold everything down here. Have an amazing time. Oh, and I still think he’s got the hots for you,” she adds, whispering into my ear.
“Thank you, Lily,” I grit out, my face hot once more. We exchange a look as I follow Brody out the door, heading toward his black Mercedes.
“I’ll get that,” he stops me at the edge of the porch, gesturing to my luggage.
“Oh, that’s okay,” I counter. “I’m your employee.”
He cocks a brow at me, looking amused. “I have no idea what that has to do with me offering to carry your suitcase. It’s just the right thing to do.”
“Well… okay.” I let him take my bag while I slide into the passenger seat. I run my hand over the black leather before grabbing the seatbelt. The car is spotless.
And Brody’s scent lingers throughout.
I wonder if this is what his yacht smells like? I do my best to relax as Brody climbs into the driver’s seat and starts the car. I let my mind run to blue waters and a bunch of rich aristocrats on board the Serendipity.
Which seriously sounds like something right out of a movie.
“I think you’re really going to enjoy this,” Brody’s voice carries through the car as he heads out of the city and toward the marina.
“Have you mentioned it to your dad? I haven’t been able to get ahold of him.
” He frowns at that, shaking his head. “I guess he’s in Italy?
” He meets my gaze, holding it for a brief moment.
“I… I have no idea.” I can barely find the words as my mouth grows dry. “I haven’t heard from him since my birthday.”
“Typical Robert,” he mutters, his eyes jumping back to the road. I can tell there’s more that he wants to share, but he doesn’t offer it up—and I don’t have the nerve to push him.
Mostly because I just realized I’m in Brody Wilder’s car and we driving to the marina where his yacht is docked.
This is really happening. I’m about to be a chef on some crazy yacht trip. Maybe I can make some connections. I try to focus on the business aspect of the trip, letting that be more exciting than the prospect of a shirtless Brody.
There really might be something wrong with me.
Brody, on the other hand, doesn’t seem fazed by my presence at all, one hand on the steering wheel, and the other resting on the console. He’s the epitome of chill, calm and collected.
Dad says the military did that to him, but if that’s the case, it definitely didn’t have the same effect on my father. He’s wound up tight and ready to fight just about anyone—over anything.
And I’m not sure how he’d feel about this whole job situation.
So I just won’t tell him. Problem solved.
Brody pulls into the marina a few moments later, taking one of the covered parking spots down by the entrance to the docks. I take a deep breath as he kills the engine. It almost feels surreal.
“We’re pretty early, but there’s a good chance everyone will already be on board.”
“Oh?” I tilt my head at him. “Bunch of early birds?”
He smiles at me, his hazel eyes lingering long enough to make my heart flutter. “Yeah, no one likes to be late. I think we’re all really needing this trip.”
I nod, and he slides out before I can even ask him who’s going. I don’t even know how many people fit on a yacht.
My phone buzzes in my pocket as Brody pops open my passenger door for me. He then disappears around to the back, and I pull my phone out to see the text from Daisy.
Daisy: HAVE FUN! Go get ‘em, chef girl ;) This is going to be life-changing! So excited for you!
I glance back at Brody, carrying my suitcase with ease, his shoulders taut and strong. My eyes hang there for a few beats, and then I pocket my phone.
Maybe it will be life-changing. Hopefully in a good way.