More silence followed by a nervous laugh was her response. Before she could say anything he added what he’d held in for a better part of their conversation. “You made the whole thing up didn’t you?” His words were harsher with every breath he took. “You made me think I slept with you, so I’d break things off with Grace and when I didn’t you made the pregnancy thing up too, didn’t you?”

“You’re crazy!” Her attempt to sound offended fell flat.

“No you’re the crazy one.” His heart nearly slammed through his chest as the reality of it really set in and he was yelling now. “Anyone that would go to these lengths has got to be a f**king crazy as shit mental case! And that’s what you are!”

The line clicked and for the first time in all the times he’d talked to her over the phone she actually hung up first. He sat there trying to catch his breath, the rage burning through him at how stupid he’d been to fall for her shit. Not even what should have been delight at knowing he hadn’t actually betrayed Grace did anything to calm him. Out of nowhere he heard a growl and he realized it had come from deep inside him.

Images of Grace’s agonized face and thoughts of all the pain she’d gone through and for what? For nothing. Deep inside he’d known it all along. He could never do anything to hurt Grace. Not even in a drunken stupor. But even now this wasn’t proof and that’s what he’d need if he even had a prayer of Grace believing him because he knew Melissa sure as hell would never admit the truth.

After taking a few minutes to calm himself he did the only thing he could think of—called Romero.

~*~

Between her mother, Rose, then Joey and Taylor, Grace had been talked into letting her hair down and dressing up for her night out. She now sat nursing her drink in the bar area with all of them except Rose at The Voodoo Lounge, the neat nightclub her mother had told her about, in a tight little black dress and three inch heels.

Taylor and Joey had done a number on her hair and makeup and though she’d argued she was overdone, they’d been right. She fit right in with all the other sexy-as-hell, single women at the bar who were there to find a man. Only in her case that was the last thing on her mind. And though she might look the part she certainly wasn’t feeling it.

Frank had yet to arrive and Grace hoped he’d be a no show. Of course her mother had made sure the chair next to Grace was the only one available for when he did arrive.

She took tiny sips, careful not to stir up any bad vibes in her stomach like she had earlier and had to rush to the ladies room, but it’d turned out to be a false alarm. As the music around her blared and the flashing lights bounced all over the walls, Grace was still trying to get over the annoying fact that she was at her first night club with her mom and Ruben.

Doing a double take she turned to see Frank walking toward their table. It was almost as he’d had a makeover as well. Instead of the usual drab colored suits he wore he was in black jeans with a dark long sleeved, firm fitting cotton shirt. He’d cut his hair to shorter, much more stylish ‘do. It was amazing how a few changes could make someone look so different. He even looked younger.

As he got closer, Grace noticed he carried two red roses. He handed her one as he reached her then gave the other to her mom. “You look fantastic, Grace,” he said, taking the seat next to her. Even his cologne was alluring although he wore a bit too much.

“Thank you,” she said softly then introduced him to Taylor and Joey. They shook his hand. Joey bobbed his eyebrows at Grace when Frank turned away to say hello to Ruben.

She smiled but he had to know any interest in a romantic relationship with anybody would be the furthest thing from her mind for a long, long time.

Frank leaned into her and whispered. “I hope the rose didn’t make you uncomfortable. I just couldn’t help myself when the guy outside selling them hit me up.”

“No, not at all,” she said bringing it to her nose, and smelled it with a smile. “That was sweet of you.”

The waitress came by to take their orders though Grace’s drink was still nearly full. While Frank was distracted putting in his order in, Taylor leaned into her and whispered in her ear. “Don’t look now but there’s this girl who’s been looking at you all night over by the rail to my left. It’s almost as if she’d trying to get your attention. At first, I thought she might be looking at me or Joey but her eyebrows nearly hit the ceiling when Frank arrived and sat next to you. She’s still looking now, so be casual about it.”

Grace nodded, smiling as if he’d just said something funny. She stirred her drink, glancing in the opposite direction Taylor said, then casually brought her eyes back to the area Taylor meant. Her heart sank and she felt her chest constrict when she saw her. Sofia smiled and waved. The last thing she needed was a reminder of that family. Immediately she felt the tension in her throat, but she smiled and waved back.

When she saw Sofia start toward her Grace stood up alarmed that Sofia would come over and talk about something that might upset her in front of Joey and Taylor. She was trying so hard to convince them that she was better now, but just seeing Sofia was added proof that nothing could be further from the truth. “I’ll be back.” She touched Taylor’s shoulder as she stood up. “I know her.”

Knowing that as soon as Joey saw Sofia, he’d remember her as Sal’s sister, she smiled big at him to squash any possible indication of what she was really feeling. She met Sofia halfway and they hugged but Grace pulled away quickly afraid anything longer might make for a more emotional reunion.