Chapter 10 #2
"Why would you tell them? I mean, it's not like you're busy working right now, taking a personal call while on the job."
"I actually was not taking a personal call. I have to make dinner tonight for a very important family occasion." He stares at me and raises an eyebrow.
"Oh, yeah? You're making dinner?"
"Well, with the help of my best friend. The Waverlys have the utmost faith in me, and they've asked me to create an amazing menu to celebrate their grandson."
"Oh?" His eyes twinkle as he stares at me. "You know their grandson."
"I mean, I wouldn't say we were best friends." I clear my throat. "But I am kind of close to the family."
"Oh, why didn't you tell me that?"
"I mean, I don't like to brag." I feel slightly guilty at my exaggeration, but it's technically true. My grandfather and Preston are friends, and I got the job because of that friendship. It is almost nepotism, even though the job isn’t that great, and Preston is weird, and Enid is weirder, and now I have to cook dinner.
"Anyway," I say, "I should be heading inside because I'm sure Preston's eagerly waiting on me so that we can discuss his love story. "
"You are by far—" He pauses.
"I'm by far what?" I prod him.
"You are by far the most interesting woman I've met in a long time."
"Is that a compliment?"
"If you want it to be a compliment." His lips twitch. "Cute blouse, by the way."
"This old thing?" I say, but I can feel myself blushing. I'm glad he noticed.
"So, you hear from your boyfriend?"
"We broke up," I say, glaring at him.
"I'm just checking. I mean, you seem like you may be interested in getting back together with him."
"Why would I be interested in getting back with Patrick when he was banging some hoe in the alley?"
"Hey, don't slam it until you try it," he says, winking.
"Until I try what?"
"Banging in an alley," he says, grinning. "I've heard it can be quite fun." I stare at him and just shake my head. He takes a couple of steps closer to me. "What do you think?"
"What do I think about what?"
"Don't tell me you have a memory like a hare?"
"What does that mean?"
"It means don't knock something until you try it."
"How do you know I haven't tried it?" I say, taking a step closer to him, wanting to intimidate him as much as he's been intimidating me.
"So, you like it down and dirty?"
"This is not a conversation I'm going to have with you, Hunter. I think you should get back to work."
"Yes, ma'am," he says. "Don't want to get in trouble.
I can't afford to lose this job." He runs his fingers through his hair, and I'm slightly disappointed when he does move away from me.
"Well, you have a good day, Gina, and I hope your dinner party goes amazingly. I hope the food is five-star quality."
"It will be," I say. "Enjoy mowing the lawn and weeding." I turn around and hurry inside.
I open the door and close it quickly, taking a quick glance back. He's staring at me, and I hurry down to Preston's office. I don't know why he gets under my skin. However, before I can think about it too much, my phone rings. It's Emma.
"Hey, girl. I have a really great menu plan. Do you want to hear?"
"Okay," I say. "Shoot." I’m grateful to get Hunter off my mind. I have a feeling the next time we chat, I’m going to ask him which room is his because I want to get him out of my head.
"The canapés are nearly done, and I will put the steaks on in about five minutes." Emma grins at me as I chop lettuce and add it to a bowl with tomatoes, red onions, and feta cheese.
"Don't forget, add some black olives to that—and cucumber."
"Yes, chef.” I point to the jar of black olives. “I’m on it.”
"It's really nice here, Gina."
"Are you really impressed? Your family has billions, too.”
“Yeah, but they’re the Waverlys, and this is the most fabulous mansion on the island."
"True." I look around. “This place is amazing. One thing I've realized is that even though Preston and Enid are mega loaded, they don't act snobby, and I guess I appreciate that."
"Yeah. Maybe that could be part of your article."
"Not really. When am I going to be like, oh, their grandson is getting engaged to a supermodel, and she's marrying into money, but hey, at least the grandparents ain't snobby."
"I don't know, girl, but nuance, right? We're not Entertainment Tonight or People magazine. It has to be about something deeper than just him getting engaged."
"You're right." I take a deep breath. "To be honest, I feel a little icky. Am I deceptive?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, here I am in this role, writing this story, but I have a hidden agenda. It just makes me feel like maybe I am no better than Patrick was when he was trying to use me to get close to—"
"Stop right now, okay? He sucked. You're not pretending to be in love with the Waverlys. You're doing a job, and you’re doing it well. Sure, maybe you have a second reason for being here, but that's life."
"I guess I just don't really know if I feel right about it."
"Girl, you're a good person, and that is why I think you should not feel guilty." She pauses as we hear footsteps, and we watch as Enid and Preston walk into the kitchen.
"Oh, hi, Mr. and Mrs. Waverly. This is my best friend, Emma. She's come to help prepare dinner."
"So good to see you, Emma. You probably don't remember me. I was good friends with your grandmother back in the day, and I remember meeting you as a baby."
"I didn't even know we'd met before," Emma says with a small smile.
"But I'm more than happy to help tonight.
Gina is my best friend, and she's not much of a cook, and well, when she said she had to make this dinner, I wanted to make sure it went well for everyone.
" I look up at the Waverlys guiltily, worried they think I'd been complaining.
"I'm excited for you both to meet our grandson." Preston beams at me.
"Oh, I am really excited to meet him, as well," I say. Which is the most honest I’ve been in a while.
"Enid, why don't you go and get him. This party is for him, after all. We're celebrating how—” Enid gives him a look, and he shakes his head.
"Oops, he doesn't want us to talk about it." Preston looks thoughtful. “It’s a joyous occasion, though. It's very important to Enid that we protect him and his secret." He presses his finger to his lips.
"Let me go and get him," Enid says. I can feel my heart racing in excitement. I look over at Emma, and I can see the glee in her eyes, as well.
"Let me add some oil and vinegar to the salad," I say as I head to the pantry.
"Don't forget the freshly grated black pepper, as well," she reminds me.
"Don't worry, boss. I won't." I giggle and head into the pantry. I feel like I’m floating in the air. I’m so excited I can barely breathe.
I wonder if their grandson will be as eccentric as they are.
I look around for the apple cider vinegar and olive oil and grab them off the shelves.
I feel at peace for the first time since being in the house.
I head back into the kitchen, and I immediately stop when I see Hunter standing there.
I want to groan and ask him what he's doing there, but I have to be polite. I need to be in the moment and focused on the Waverlys’ grandson, not focused on Hunter and his chiseled jawline.
I look over at Emma, and she's grinning at me.
I wonder if she knows that this is Hunter, the man I have a crush on and can't seem to get out of my mind.
"Oh, there you are, darling." Enid hurries into the kitchen. "I was looking for you."
"You were?" Hunter looks over at her, and I wonder if she's going to ask him to do some gardening now. Maybe she needs some fresh roses or something.
“Yes. I wanted to introduce you to Gina and her best friend, Emma."
"We've met. At least, I've met Gina." Hunter grins and looks over at me. He gives Emma a small nod.
"I'm assuming you're Emma."
"Hi. Yeah, I am Emma Bond. I'm Gina's best friend."
"Ah, yes, your voice sounds familiar. You’re dog poop girl."
She bursts out laughing.
"What are you talking about?" Preston asks with a frown.
"Nothing that you would want to hear about," Hunter says with a grin. For a few seconds, I’m confused.
Enid is now touching the side of Hunter's back, and Preston is staring at him with an adoring expression on his face.
My heart beats rapidly, and I feel like I'm turning a pale white.
Have I gotten this wrong? I suddenly feel faint.
"Hunter," Enid says. "They're making the most delicious meal for you tonight."
"We are? What?" I say softly, glancing at Enid.
"You're making a delicious meal for Hunter, for his celebration."
"Hunter's celebration?" I repeat stupidly. Time feels like it has gone into slow motion, and the earth feels unsteady beneath my feet.
"Why yes, dear. This is our beloved grandson." I lick my lips nervously, and Hunter just nods slowly. The look of amusement on his face makes me want to sink into the floor.
"Yes," he says, holding his hand out. "Nice to make your acquaintance officially. I am Hunter Waverly."
"You're Hunter Waverly." I blink and think back to the conversation from this afternoon.
I think back to every conversation we've ever had, and I want to fall to the ground and die because I'm more embarrassed than I've been in my life, and that's saying a lot because every time I have an interaction with Hunter, I always seem to make a fool of myself.
"Nice to see that your short-term memory is recovering." He smiles and turns to Emma. "Food looks good. Salad looks tasty, and those steaks look tender. I like mine rare."
"Don't worry," she grins. "Rare it will be."
"Thank you. Now, Grandma, Grandpa, everyone's waiting for us in the dining room.
Shall we?" They beam at him and head out of the kitchen.
I watch as they leave, and then he stops, turns around, and stares at me.
“Back to work, Gina.” He winks and then walks out, and I want to scream.
Instead, I turn to Emma. She looks as shocked as I feel.
"Fuck," I say loudly as she just shakes her head.
"Fuckity fuck, fuck, fuck."