Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75770 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75770 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“I’m not making light of her injury,” Marc says. “All I meant was that you two did a bang-up job on the shrimp and slaw, and it won’t make any difference if I remake the marinade and prepare the shrimp.”
Sebastian scowls at him as he helps Ariel up. “Let’s get you bandaged.” He turns to Evangeline. “Evie, where are the medical supplies?”
“Follow me,” she says.
Once Evangeline, Sebastian, and Ariel leave the kitchen, Marc and I are left at the table.
“This is all my fault,” I say. “Please let me help you remake the shrimp.”
“That’s a kind offer”—he smiles—“but I think Katie needs you at your own station.”
I shake my head. “Misty has it under control. I’d feel much better if I could do something.”
“We still have plenty of time. We weren’t going to sauté the shrimp until right before we eat, and Desi still has to grill his jerk chicken, which will take some time.”
“I should at least do something to make up for such a glaring faux pas.”
“I’d love to work with you.” There’s a flirtatious edge to his tone. “But I’ll have this done in no time. I can peel and devein shrimp in my sleep.”
“All right,” I concede. “I’m just going to check on Ariel then.”
I whisk out of the kitchen without making eye contact with Katie or Misty.
But I have no intention of checking on Ariel. I’m concerned, but I have no doubt that Sebastian and Evangeline have things under control. Besides, why would Ariel want to see me?
I walk to the front door of the mansion and step outside into the sunny late afternoon.
Now what?
If anything, I’ve probably helped Ariel and Sebastian’s chances. The others will feel sorry for them and vote for them. Maybe.
Bloody hell, I don’t know.
I take a few deep breaths and attempt to relax. No, that’s not going to happen. One more deep breath and then I enter the mansion and head to the kitchen. Sebastian has returned, but Marc is now gone.
Not my problem.
“Sorry,” I say to Katie.
“It’s okay.” She smiles. “I’m sure you needed a breather. But things happen in a kitchen. I’ve lost count of how many bowls I’ve broken over the years.”
Misty is seeding a small orange pepper.
“What do you need me to do?” I ask Katie.
“I’ve taken the aromatics off the burner,” she says. “Marc says we need to give him about fifteen minutes to redo the shrimp that was lost, and then we’ll add the pepper that Misty’s chopping to the pan, adjust the heat, and add the greens.”
I nod. “So for now?”
“For now, relax. Watch the others. Would you like another Island Mirage?”
“No, thank you.” More alcohol would not be a good thing in my current state of mind.
“Okay, then.” She looks over at Misty. “Nice job, Misty. You can discard the small seeds and chop the pepper finely. Don’t take off your gloves and don’t touch your face. The capsaicin in the oil will bring you to tears. If you ladies will excuse me for a minute, I need to hit the little girls’ room.”
Once Katie is gone, Misty motions me toward her.
Now what?
“Impressive,” she says under her breath.
“Are you kidding me?”
“Breaking that bowl? Taking out Ariel? And to think I wasn’t sure you had it in you.”
Anger curls at the back of my neck. “Wait just a minute. Ariel’s fine, and what happened was an accident.”
“Oh, Emily, there are no accidents.” She gives me a sly smile. “Maybe I’m not the biggest threat here after all.”
EPISODE 99
BANDAGE AND FLIRT
Ariel
Sebastian and Evangeline usher me to one of the large bathrooms on the first floor, where Sebastian sets me down on the toilet. I let out a tiny shriek as my thighs hit the cold porcelain.
“You doing okay, sugar?” he asks.
“Yes, it’s just cold. I’m fine. I told you, this is nothing. I’ve been hurt way worse while helping Mama around the house. There’s no need to make such a fuss.”
Sebastian smiles. My God, he’s gorgeous.
“Of course we’ll make a fuss,” he says. “What was Emily thinking?”
“It was an accident,” I tell him. “I’m sure of it.”
Although…Heather and I did catch Emily coming out of Misty’s room earlier, and she said things had gotten more interesting.
What did she mean by that? I didn’t ask. Part of me didn’t want to know, so I didn’t pry. Besides, we were called down to the kitchen soon afterward and I didn’t have another chance to ask her. Emily was the first friend I made here, and I believe in her—even if her smile was somewhat off when she came out of Misty’s suite.
Sebastian wraps a towel around my wound while Evangeline runs some water. I can’t help but notice how much paler she is than usual, and the look on her face… I’ve seen it before, on my own face—just as I’m about to hurl.