Chapter Four
LAUREN LOVED FARMER’S markets. There was something about the combination of fresh air and interacting with people who were proud of the produce they had brought to sell that never failed to make her smile.
It was difficult, however, for her to find any enjoyment in this particular trip.
She did not like confrontation, but she found herself almost wishing for it as Grey continued to avoid her.
At least then she would know what it was about her that irked the brunette so.
She had given up trying to draw Grey into conversation after her eighth failed attempt, and they had ended up wandering the market in a tense silence that set Lauren on edge.
She double-checked her list and glanced up at Grey, who was standing a good four feet away from her and looking like she would like nothing more than to drop the cooler full of fish she was carrying and run away. “I just need to pick up a few herbs, and then I’ll be done.”
Grey nodded and looked around the bustling stalls around them, and Lauren sighed as she made her way over to a small table that was covered with different herbs.
She set the bags of fruits and vegetables that she was carrying onto the ground, and began quickly sorting through the bundles of aromatics that were piled in small wooden crates on the long rectangular table.
Everything looked to be at the peak of freshness, and it did not take her long to find what she needed.
She stowed the herbs she had chosen on top of their other purchases in her bags as Grey paid, and she forced herself to smile when Grey turned toward her.
Grey pocketed her change and looked at a spot that was just over Lauren’s right shoulder, grateful that the mirrored lenses of her sunglasses hid the fact that she was not looking her in the eye. “What’s next?”
Lauren looked at her list again, even though she had checked it only moments before. “We have everything but the meats from the butcher.”
Grey glanced at her watch. The polished steel hands stood out easily against the orange face, telling her that it was just after eight o’clock, and she nodded.
“It all should be ready and waiting for us.” She had called the butcher and placed Lauren’s order while she drove to the market.
The call served two purposes: first, the food would be ready when they arrived; and second, it gave her a few minutes respite from the tension that surrounded her and Lauren.
She really was trying to behave as normally as possible, but she knew by the cautious glances Lauren kept shooting her way that she was failing miserably at it.
Of all the chefs in the world… she lamented silently.
She cleared her throat and waved a hand toward her car.
“The butcher is on the way back to the marina.”
Lauren nodded, picked up her bags, and headed toward the half of the parking lot that was actually being used for its intended purpose.
She wandered toward the back row of the lot to where they had parked, and stopped behind Grey’s red Mini Cooper.
She remained quiet as she stowed her bags in the back of the car, and glanced only once at Grey as she slipped into the passenger’s seat.
More of the modern classical music Grey had been listening to earlier poured from the speakers as Grey started the car, and Lauren sighed as she looked out the window.
At least now there was some music to fill the tense silence between them.
Despite her growing frustration, Lauren could not help stealing quick glances at Grey, who was staring purposefully out the windshield.
Grey’s jaw was clenched tight, the corded muscles of her forearms visible as she gripped the steering wheel much harder than was necessary.
It was obvious that she wanted to be anywhere else at that moment, and Lauren pursed her lips as she looked away again.
Though she was doing her best to not look at Lauren, Grey did not miss the hurt that had flashed across Lauren’s face before she turned toward her window.
Guilt swept through her, and she gave herself a sound mental head-slap.
It was not Lauren’s fault that her mere presence was driving her insane.
And, like it or not, she also knew that the two of them needed to be at least passably friendly with each other once the Mueller family arrived later that morning. “So, um…you’re a chef in New York?”
“I am,” Lauren said softly. Her eyes flicked over toward Grey, whose grip on the steering wheel seemed to have somehow managed to become even tighter, and sighed as she looked back out her window.
“What made you decide to do this?” Grey kept her eyes on the road ahead as she waved a hand to indicate the whole Virgin Islands, working-on-a-boat thing.
Lauren shrugged. “I haven’t had a proper vacation in ten years and, well, I had a bunch of time saved up because the restaurant kept letting me rollover the days I didn’t take.
The idea of doing nothing was not at all appealing because I’m one of those people who need to always have something to do.
A good friend of mine had rented a yacht and cruised around the Caribbean last summer for her honeymoon, and I figured that signing-on as a private chef was a good way to get out of New York for a bit and still keep busy. ”
Grey chuckled. “So, you’re spending your first vacation in a decade working.”
“On a beautiful yacht, sailing around the Caribbean, yes,” Lauren replied. “Kelly Kipling, the woman I interviewed with, said that I would have time to snorkel and explore whatever islands we make port at, and I actually love cooking, so it seemed like a win-win kind of deal.”
“You will have plenty of time for all of that,” Grey said, daring to glance at Lauren as she pulled to a stop in front of the butcher’s.
A small smile was tweaking Lauren’s lips, like she was pleased they had just managed to have an actual conversation that was halfway-normal.
Grey’s heart clenched as she drank in Lauren’s profile, her eyes lingering on the rogue curl tickling the side of Lauren’s cheek, but she forced herself to ignore it as she quickly climbed out of the car.
Now was not the time for her to worry about anything other than getting ready to sail later that afternoon.
Grey nodded in response to the small, grateful smile Lauren gave her when she held the door to the butcher shop open for her, and turned her attention to the man who was standing behind the counter.
Eddie Jones was wearing one of his typically gaudy Hawaiian shirts covered in big-breasted women wearing coconut bras and grass skirts, and Grey smiled when she recognized it as the one she had given him for his birthday the year before.
“Grey!” Eddie hollered, a wide smile lighting up his face as Grey slapped his hand in greeting. “I have everything you wanted right here. You wanna have a look?”
Grey glanced at Lauren and arched a brow questioningly. If it were up to her, she would just grab the stuff and go, but she knew from the way Lauren had dug through the produce stands earlier that she would want to see what he had pulled for them.
“Yes, please,” Lauren said as she stepped up to the counter. She smiled at the appraising look the butcher gave her. “Hi. I’m Lauren Murphy.”
“Eddie Jones.” He shook her hand. “You’re not from around here, are you?”
Lauren shook her head. “New York, actually. I’m just down here for a few weeks.”
“And you chose to work for this one?” Eddie teased, smirking at Grey.
“Shut up,” Grey grumbled as she shot him a playful glare.
Lauren glanced over at Grey. “I did,” she said, though the words sounded less assured than she would have preferred.
“Smart girl.” Eddie winked and turned his attention to the pile of wrapped meats that were stacked beside him.
“So, here’s what I have for ya…” He showed Lauren the steaks, sausages, ground beef, and chicken he had prepared according to Grey’s order.
He carefully rewrapped each bundle after Lauren nodded her approval and set them into a large brown paper bag.
When the last white-paper package was placed inside the bag, he folded the top over and slid it across the counter beside the register.
“I’ll put it on your tab,” Eddie told Grey.
“Sounds good, man. Thanks,” Grey said as she reached for the bag. She grunted softly as she hefted it off of the counter, and forced herself to smile as she glanced at Lauren. “You ready?”
“Of course,” Lauren murmured. She looked back at Eddie and added, “It was nice to meet you.”
Eddie nodded. “You too, Lauren Murphy. Good luck.”
Lauren flashed him a small smile and nodded. “Thanks.” I have a feeling I’m going to need it, she added silently to herself as she looked back at Grey, who was already halfway out the door.