Page 30 of Best Laid Plans
She rolled her eyes, and he couldn’t blame her. He was being a dick. But these docks, specifically, brought back a lot of memories he didn’t like to revisit.
But Elle wasn’t going to be deterred. “I was raised in Rock Harbor, grew up in a seafood restaurant, and spent three years consulting with businesses in the food and beverage space to streamline their supply chain logistics. Plus, I’m not a fucking idiot,” she finished, shooting him a glare.
Cam looked at her thoughtfully. “And I didn’t know about the restaurant thing–not that it changes anything.”
“Well, you haven’t exactly been chomping at the bit to get to know me,” she batted back, folding her arms across her chest.
He wasn’t going to admit that was entirely intentional on his part. And he definitely wasn’t going to give in and glance down to where her arms had pushed up her chest, soft skin begging to be touched. “Your dad and I will work out squaring up on the backend,” he said gruffly, changing the subject. And he wasn’t going to explain that he had no intention for Mr. Pierce to pay him back.
Elle scoffed. “Well, far be it from me to get in the way of ‘man business.’”
It wasn’t fair to be assaulted by Elle so early in the morning. In her scent, that same damn perfume she always wore. In how kissable her lips looked, almost wet from the gloss, like she’d just licked them. His warring body and brain made his words easy. “Good. Then don’t.”
Elle looked over, trying to catch his stare. “Wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?”
He avoided eye contact and focused on the man who’d helped them, now walking back toward where Cam and Elle still stood.
He handed Cam a piece of paper. “Let’s settle up the invoice and then my guys can start loading your truck.”
Elle plucked it from his hands so fast he’d barely read the first line. “I don’t see Pierce’s bulk discount here. Can we get that added? I can have my dad call you later today to confirm ifyou need,” she said, already handing the invoice back to the man.
“No shit,” he said, his stoic demeanor shifting into something far more congenial as he accepted the invoice. “You’re one of Jim’s kids?”
“Guilty.” Elle flashed him a smile that bordered on flirty. Cam could see the man being wrapped around Elle’s finger. Worse, heknewthe feeling.
“I’m Will.” He extended his hand, which Elle took when offered. “Jim talks about you all the time, but I’m glad to put a face to the name. Elle, right? What are you doing back in town? Move home?” he hedged, clearly angling for something.
Elle smiled back, and Cam tried to see what she saw. The guy was burly, with a broad chest that looked like it could stop a semi-truck, and his close-cropped dark beard hid his slightly weathered face, his skin a deep tan. Maybe Elle was into that sort of thing, not that it mattered to him one way or another.
But then Elle laughed. Cam had missed whatever conversation was transpiring between them as he’d been sizing the guy up. The jealousy hit him squarely in his chest, pushing against his ribcage. He gritted his teeth and took a deep breath. There was no way in hell that he was going to cause a scene about it, and more importantly, there was no reason for him to be jealous. He and Elle were nothing more to one another than two people sharing the same apartment for a few weeks.
Still, he didn’t need to stay and watch this play out. “I need to get the seafood back to the restaurant if I’m going to have time to prep.”
Two sets of eyes shifted to him then, and Elle, to her credit, looked apologetic. “You’re right.”
Will turned his attention back to Elle, smiling broadly. “I’ll get that invoice fixed for you.” He walked a few feet and called out to a lump that Cam hadn’t noticed before. A person, half-laying on one of the benches next to what it looked like themarket used as an office. “Shrimp. Load this order. And grab Gabe to help you.”
Elle was saying something to him, but he couldn’t make out the words with the buzz in his ears. It felt like the world was molasses, the frenetic energy of the market slowing down until it seemed like everyone was standing still.
Of all the gin joints. Though, besides a bar, this was probably the least surprising place to run into his father.
“Can you get the van loaded and bring it to the restaurant?” He was already handing her the keys. “I’m going to pay the invoice and walk back. God knows how long this will take.”
He couldn’t do this. Couldn’t deal with the possibility that his father would recognize him after over a decade.
Or worse, that he wouldn’t.
The surprise on Elle’s face was evident, mixed with something that looked a lot like sympathy. He hated it. “Sure. Are you okay?” She tried to touch his forearm, but he twisted his body to the side, her hand only finding air.
He took a step back. “I’m fine. We just don’t have time to fuck around while this half-assed excuse for a market loads our shit.” Cam started walking away in the direction that Will had disappeared, his dad barely in an upright position as Cam turned around the corner.
About thirty minutes after Cam made it back to Pierce’s Lobster Co., Elle walked through the back door with boxes of seafood on a dolly.
“Can you help me unload the van?” She pointed toward the door she’d just come through. “There’s another dolly in the corner.”
Cam abandoned the parsley he’d been chopping and wiped his hands on his apron. He grabbed the second dolly and walkedoutside. Elle joined him about a minute later, just as he’d completed stacking half-a-dozen boxes.
“I can load this next one up if you want to take the dolly inside. You can leave it there and I’ll unload it.” He was trying, in his own way, to make penance for his behavior at the docks. And so that Elle wouldn’t ask him any questions.
