Page 12 of Hargrave Health Kick
“Ouch. Is that a big problem?”
“Yes.” She could hear his shoes slapping the sand. “She’s a celebrity chef with a huge following.” Veronica closed her eyes. “Celebrity isn’t the point. If any guest is this unhappy, we need to figure it out.”
“I’m turning around,” Brayden said. “How can I help?”
“Oh, that’s not necessary. Celeste is taking the lead with the guests?—”
“Sounds about right,” he grumbled.
It shouldn’t surprise her that he automatically assumed her sister jumping in would irritate her. “I’m cool with it,” she assured him. “She can build a better rapport with this particular guest.”
“Okay.” He sounded surprised. “And?”
“Did you notice anything weird last night? Were you even there?”
“I was,” he said. “But it was a calm night. I’ll catch up with Jess and see what we can sort out.”
“Thanks, Brayden.”
“It’s what I’m here for.”
She didn’t quite know how to end the call. Because her sisters had messed with her head. Should she ask about dinner plans? Take him up on that offer for a run?
“Take care and don’t stress,” he added. “You’re in good hands.”
The window of opportunity closed with a resounding thud as he ended the call.
Setting her phone aside, she went to her room and changed into running gear. It was past time to get her head on straight about everything—especially Brayden.
Chapter Five
When Veronica returnedfrom her run about an hour later, Celeste and Nat were in a giddy mood. She eyed the half-empty mimosa pitcher. “Are you drowning sorrows or celebrating?”
“She did it!” Nat declared, pumping her fists in the air. “Chef, zero. Celeste, one hundred. She gets the win with a perfect score!”
Veronica stared at Nat, then asked Celeste, “Did I run into an alternate universe? What did I miss?”
“Only a bit of everything,” Nat replied. “Celeste and Marley were poetry in motion. Although technically, I was the only witness.”
“Stop,” Celeste protested, her cheeks pink from the praise. “We got lucky as much as anything.”
Nat handed Veronica a big glass of water. “She’s being modest. Celeste is my new public relations hero. She and Marley coordinated behind the scenes and with a few precise questions and comments, they steered the chatter. In themiddleof a live feed.” Nat did a pirouette. “I’m telling you, our sister is a genius.”
“You did your part too,” Celeste said.
Nat shrugged it off. “I just made a few speedy comments when you told me to.”
Veronica felt a niggle of guilt between her shoulder blades. “Should I have stayed to help?”
“No. You can’t text as fast as me,” Nat teased. “Although we couldn’t get the credit for the food y’all made for her.”
“No biggie.” Both of her sisters gaped at her. “The run cleared my head,” she explained. “Staying mad about it only hurts me.”
Nat turned to Celeste. “I thought it would take her the rest of the week to get there.”
“Same.” Celeste’s smile faded. “Did Nash have any insights? What did Jess say?”
“Nothing profound from Nash. We’re doing all the right things. Jess is taking a closer look.” She didn’t mention Brayden. “She’ll call when she has something.”
