Chapter 7

At five o’clock on Thursday afternoon, Cameron was ready to call it a day. She and Anna had worked double-time to complete the inventory and order the latest items. They were both drained, and Cameron made the executive decision to close the store a bit early.

Cameron was putting the trash into a nearby Dumpster when she heard a door opening. She glanced down the alley to see Julie Kensington emerge from her office halfway down the block.

Julie smiled and lifted her own trash bag. “Great minds think alike.”

Cameron laughed and went to greet her. “How are you doing?”

“Well,” she said, dumping her trash into the bin, “I have a light workday tomorrow, which is good, because I’m sure that after tonight, I’ll be exhausted.”

“What’s going on tonight?”

“Cole and his brothers are getting together to help Seb get his new restaurant ready in time for Saturday’s grand opening.”

“Really? Are all his brothers going to be there?”

“I think so. From what Cole told me, the place needs a lot of work—work that Seb hasn’t had the time to put in because he’s been dealing with the taping for his new television show.” She shook her head. “Anyway, the guys asked us to join in—Lexie, Avery, and I are all heading over there later.”

“I see.” Cameron knew the other Grayson men, and liked them—mostly because they made her friends happy—but she wasn’t truly sure how they viewed her. They’d always been polite, but now that she’d gotten involved with Val—well, as involved as one kiss made them, anyway—she’d begun to wonder what they really thought of her. Did they think she was a hardworking shop owner or some pampered princess? For the first time, she realized their opinions of her actually mattered.

“Cole’s coming to get me in a few minutes, and then we’re going back to our place to change.”

“How are you settling in there together?”

“Nicely, thanks,” Julie said. “I’m glad he decided to move in with me instead of insisting that we purchase a place of our own. Or worse, asking me to join him on Val’s houseboat. Not that Val wasn’t generous with Cole when he let him live on the boat while Cole got situated in Star Harbor—he was,” she said quickly. “In fact, Val wasn’t even there all the time, given that he works out of Boston. But the boat isn’t huge, and it was a tight squeeze when all of us were on it together.” She smiled. “So, what are your plans for tonight?”

“First a walk,” she said, realizing the second the words came out of her mouth that it would be a good thing if she relaxed before she met up with Val. If she met up with Val. “Then dinner. Maybe.”

“Have fun!”

Cameron said goodbye, then headed back inside. Anna had finished at the register and was packing up her bag.

“No one’s coming in between now and six. Let’s close up.”

Anna gave a nod and did as she asked. Cameron took one more glance at the front room, then gave Anna the all-clear. “Everything looks set. Have a great night, Anna.”

“You, too!” Anna grabbed her tote bag and slipped out the front door.

After locking up, Cameron drove five minutes back to her cottage to change. Going up the well-groomed gravel driveway of the Alcott estate gave her ample time to admire the grounds, but she always looked forward to that first glimpse of her own little place. The shingled cottage was set apart from the main house by several thousand feet and a wooded copse. Boughs of wisteria wound around a trellis over the front door. In the back, there was a small porch overlooking the water, and best of all, it had a private beach.

The estate itself was gorgeous. Originally built in the 1920s, Hermione Alcott and her husband had purchased it from the original owners several decades ago. When she had time, Cameron enjoyed exploring the beautiful landscaping. In fact, it was at one of Hermione’s parties at the estate that she began to consider Star Harbor as a prime place to open her second shop. The town was making a comeback in a big way, and she was savvy enough to realize she might be at the front end of it. Now that more and more celebrities were visiting the Cape, and famous chef Seb Grayson was opening a restaurant in town, she was beginning to think her choice had been inspired.

And speaking of the Graysons, why hadn’t Val told her he had another obligation that evening? She couldn’t imagine that he’d want to be anywhere but helping Sebastian get ready to open up his new restaurant. Guilt flashed through her at the thought that she might be keeping him from something more important. The thought of him blowing her off never crossed her mind. He was a man of honor, someone whose moral compass pointed due north. And though she didn’t have much experience, she knew that what she felt with him was real—and deep. Every time she remembered the touch of his lips, strong and firm, she grew warm all over again.

Why did that man affect her so much? The one kiss they’d shared had shaken her to her core, and not just because it had felt good. It was because she’d wanted it, with every fiber of her being. Wanted to feel his rough hands on her. Wanted to feel that devastatingly physical attraction again. That was what made her feel more alive than she’d ever felt before.

She didn’t have his cell phone number; he hadn’t given it to her—just kissed her and walked off, as if they already knew each other intimately. Nor did he have hers. Or her address. But somehow, she knew he was going to find her. And when he did, she’d be ready.

“Did I do it right?” Val asked, examining the tall reception desk he’d just assembled. He turned his head sideways and checked it out in the late-day sunlight. “It looks right.”

He was just outside the old schoolhouse, the place where Seb planned to open his new restaurant in two short nights. Classic rock blared from an open car window. All around Val were various pieces of half-finished furniture and both closed and empty cans of paint. He’d taken a look inside the building before starting on this project, and the joint was a wreck. The walls were painted, but they apparently still had to be stenciled in a different color. Packing material covered the floor. Nothing was hung on the walls. And he didn’t even want to get started on the state of the kitchen.

His younger brothers and their women had all stepped up to the task. Lexie was leading the charge with the stenciling, Julie and Avery assisting her. Cole was planning to paint the signage out front and Theo was starting in on the tables. Seb was in the kitchen with Jorge, his sous-chef from Helena, Seb’s famous New York City restaurant, along with some other line chefs and new hires, doing a rundown with them for opening night. Val shook his head. If this place came together on time, it would be a miracle.

Just then, Seb came out of the building and draped an arm around his shoulder. Seb was Theo’s identical twin and had the same black-as-night hair and green eyes. Seb stood a couple of inches taller than Val, and though his work wasn’t heavily physical, he was in good shape. As usual, he wore dark clothes—a black T-shirt and pants. “Well done. Thank God you and Theo know how to put together furniture.”

“Don’t tell me you can’t,” Val asked, incredulity in his voice.

“It would have taken me twice as long,” Seb admitted. “But Professor’s the fastest. He always reads the instructions. You don’t.”

“Yeah, well, there’s that. I usually just go by intuition.”

“Thanks for coming out tonight. There’s no way I could be ready to open up on Saturday without your help.” Seb glanced over at Theo, who was peering at a piece of wrinkled paper—the instructions, no doubt.

“Do you think you’re going to be ready?”

Seb nodded. “I have the staff squared away, so I sent them home. They’ll be back tomorrow for prep work after we get the whole space cleaned up. And Saturday night’s for friends and family only, so it’ll be a kinder, gentler crowd.”

Val laughed. Seb’s friends were all foodies or chefs, and he had no doubt they’d be as tough as any critics—in the nicest possible way, of course. “I’ll be kind, that’s for sure. I’m just happy to get fed.”

“I owe you more than a meal for all you’ve done here tonight. Thanks, man.”

“Don’t thank me too much,” Val said. “I have to cut out of here in a bit.”

Seb removed his arm and looked at him speculatively. “Really? Where’re you going?”

Just then, Cole came by with a closed paint can. “Seb, could you help me with this?”

Seb grabbed the can. “Sure thing. We’ll need a screwdriver. Let me go get one.” His brother walked away, and Val gave Cole a short nod to thank him for getting Seb off his back.

Despite the sling, Cole still looked fierce, his black hair swept off his face, his scar white against the tan of his skin. “Where are you taking her tonight?”

“Don’t know.”

“You could always bring her back here. We’re taking out pizza later, just to get through this.”

Val pressed his lips together. Subjecting Cameron Stahl to his family wasn’t something he’d planned to do tonight. Sure, she knew the whole family, but seeing them like this might be overwhelming for her.

Julie came up to them, her sandy-blond hair held back in a ponytail. She was wearing jeans, which were splattered with a bit of paint. As soon as Cole saw her, his eyes warmed. “Hey,” she said, slipping her arm around Cole’s waist. “How’s the shoulder?”

“Okay.”

“Not hurting too badly?”

“No, Doc.” Then he bent his head down and kissed her. When he lifted his head, Julie’s eyes were slightly glazed.

“You sure you want to be here?” Val muttered.

“We have to help Seb get this place ready,” Cole said, determination in his voice. “Hey, Seb!” he called out across the yard. “What are you planning to name the place?”

“Ah, hell, I don’t know,” Seb said, wedging a screwdriver under the top of the paint can and popping it off. “It’s been in the back of my mind, but I just haven’t had the bandwidth to think about it.”

Lexie poked her head out of the schoolhouse. “Are we doing names?”

“Yeah, Spice,” Seb said. “Any suggestions?”

Theo picked his head up. “Summer School?” he offered, and Avery, who’d come out of the building right behind Lexie, laughed.

Cole gave him a look. “No.”

Theo just shrugged and stood, enveloping Avery in his arms and kissing the top of her shimmering red hair.

“How about Summer Shack?” Julie suggested.

Lexie shook her head. “Another famous chef took that one. Maybe Grayson’s School of Cooking?”

“That sounds like I’m running a culinary institute. We need a school theme. I like Schooled,” Seb mused. “It sounds kind of naughty. Or Hot for Grayson.”

Avery’s cheeks turned bright red, even as Theo and Cole burst out laughing. “Yeah, man,” Cole said. “That’ll draw the crowds for sure.”

“Absolutely not,” Lexie said in a stern tone of voice.

Seb’s mouth turned up in the hint of a wicked smile before he wiped it away and tried to look grave. “I’m going to withdraw those last two suggestions.” Seemingly mollified, Lexie tilted her head up and kissed him on the lips.

Val cleared his throat. “Why don’t you call it what it is? The Schoolhouse. Everyone’s going to know it’s your place, anyway.”

Seb thought for a moment. “That could work. I can always change it later.” He clapped his hands together. “The Schoolhouse it is! Cole, can you make up the sign?”

“I’ll do my best,” he said.

“I’ll help you,” Julie stated, grabbing the open paint can. “Lexie, can you spare me for a little bit?”

“Of course. Come on, Avery. We have some stenciling to do,” Lexie said, heading back inside, Avery hot on her heels.

After the women had gone, Val put together one of the numerous tables sitting in pieces on the lawn. After hauling the table inside and clearing away a bunch of packing material, he glanced at his watch. Seven-thirty. Just enough time to get back to the boat, take a quick shower, and pick up Cameron.

But then he looked around and almost laughed at the absurdity of it all. There was such a ridiculous amount of work to get through, there was no way, even with all seven of them working nonstop, they were going to manage it. God, he’d really wanted to see Cameron. To know that for just that one evening, she was his. He shook his head. His brothers always came first, and he knew what he had to do.

Unfortunately, he had to tell the woman of his dreams that he would not be taking her out for dinner tonight. Subconsciously, he’d known it was going to come to this—him choosing between his brothers and a woman he wanted but barely knew. He hadn’t even made a dinner reservation, and the one place where he didn’t need one—Lexie’s restaurant—was closed.

How would she take it? He couldn’t imagine she’d ever been stood up before. Not Cameron. There was a first time for everything, and he was sorry he’d be the one to do it. Feeling more than a twinge of guilt that he hadn’t pulled the plug on their dinner date before now, he focused on a game plan for going forward.

He pulled out his cell and dialed her number—the one he’d gotten from Lexie. She picked up after the second ring.

“Hello?” she said. Even her greeting sounded cultured.

“Hi, Cameron. It’s Val. I’m really sorry to do this, but something’s come up.”

“Are you still at Seb’s?”

“Who told you I was here?”

“Julie.”

“Ah. The setup is taking a lot longer than expected.” Maybe she would be okay hanging out with the Grayson clan tonight. After all, she was friends with their women. “If you’re still up for dinner, we can do takeout here, but afterwards, I’ll have to get back to work.”

“Takeout sounds … nice.”

“Okay. I’ll come by your place in a few minutes.”

“I’m staying in the guest cottage at the Alcott estate. Do you need the address?”

“I know where it is.” Though he drove past the estate’s wrought-iron entryway gates on Beach Street frequently enough, he hadn’t been inside in years.

“See you soon, then.”

He clicked off his cell and shoved it back into his pocket. “Gotta head out,” he told those in the yard. “I’ll be back in twenty.”

Without waiting for a response, he hopped into his truck, a vintage Ford he’d restored himself, and drove off. First he got the pizzas, and then went to pick up Cameron.

The gates were open when he arrived, so he drove up, slowly navigating his vehicle down the gravel driveway to the cottage. Parking his truck in front next to a fine-looking Jaguar, he got out and went to the door, then rapped twice. In a few moments, the door opened.

And his jaw dropped.