She thought about it for a moment then it seemed to come to her. “Oh that.”

“You did?” Sal stood up straight, no longer feeling the ease to just lean against the car anymore.

“No!” Her hand slipping into his had an amazing way of calming him. “I was feeling dizzy. Of course I didn’t know it at the time but it’s all pregnancy related. The dizzy spells and horrible nausea I’ve had for weeks have completely drained me and Rose has been really worried. So I’d waited for Rose to walk away before leaning against him for support.”

Sal stared at her remembering Vince mentioning she’d been sick. As much as he felt the urge to pick her up and take her home to start taking care of her, one nagging thought still occupied his mind. Even feeling completely drained she’d still gone out dancing Friday night—with Frank—looking hotter than ever. But before he could put it aside for now, and focus on her health instead she added, “but we do need to talk about me and Frank.”

Me and Frank. Never had three little words have such a nauseating effect on him.

CHAPTER 36

The ride to pick up Rose and bring her back to Sal’s with them had been somewhat quiet and a bit uncomfortable. Grace noticed Sal attempted to hide his change in mood after she let him know they did need to talk about her and Frank but the change was significant enough. His eyebrow lifted and stayed firmly that way the entire time.

“She’s mad at me you know.”

Sal finally glanced at her. He’d been staring straight ahead most of the way. “Who Rose?”

Grace nodded.

“Why?”

“Because of Vincent.”

She didn’t think he lift that eyebrow any higher but higher it went. “Why? Did he do something?”

“No. It just makes me nervous that they’re spending so much time together. She says they’re just friends but she’s not fooling me. I see it in her eyes. She’s falling for him.” Grace lifted a shoulder. “She’s too young and I worry about how she’s going to feel once he leaves. I don’t think she’s thought that far ahead but I’m afraid she’ll be heartbroken. Especially with the distance between them, how likely is it that things could work out for them? It’s inevitable that she’ll get hurt.”

Sal reached his hand over to her and she took it, lacing her fingers through his big strong fingers. God how she’d missed this—missed him.

“Gracie, I know what it’s like to want to protect your loved ones. Growing up, nobody and I mean nobody messed with my sister without paying dearly. But there are some things you’re going to have to let her experience for herself so she can learn to deal with them. You’re not always going to be there to take that bullet for her you know. Her whole life you’ve been absorbing all the pain for her. The pain of your father and grandmother’s passing, even trying to hide the fact that you’re not feeling well just so she won’t worry.” He shook his head.

Grace was surprised he’d picked up on that. If he only knew how sick she’d made herself, trying to hide the fact that she’d been so devastated from his supposed betrayal.

“I’m just saying. I get that you don’t want to expose her to any kind of danger and you have my word that I’ll make sure Vincent doesn’t get her into any. Turns out he’s not such a bad kid after all and he’s been duly warned let me tell you. But if the worst thing that will come from this is her being a little sad when he leaves than I think that’s a fairly painless way to start. It’s not like it’ll come as a shocker. She knows he’s leaving at the end of the summer.”

She knew he had a point but he didn’t just have a sister. He had two brothers and loving parents who he spread his love out for and who in return showered him with that same love. All Grace had was Rose. It was so hard to think of her being hurt.

“I was gonna have Vin pick her up from my place and maybe take her to grab a bite or something so it would give us some privacy but if you don’t want to I won’t.”

Taking a deep breath as they drove up to the front of her apartment building she smiled weakly. “No. You’re right. I can’t shelter her forever. And her hanging out with him a few times a week really is harmless.”

She texted Rose to ask her to come with her to Sal’s place for a while. Knowing Rose would wonder what was going on, she told her she’d explain everything later. At first Rose declined, saying didn’t really feel like it. Then Grace textwd her that Vincent would be there and Rose texted back immediately.

I’m on my way down.

Grace smiled at Sal after reading it, trying to hide her concern. “She’s on her way.”

While Grace texted with Rose, Sal texted Vincent to let him know what was going on. Not only did he agree, he was already at Sal’s house when they got there. Rose didn’t even go in the house, jumping straight into Vincent’s car. They were going to eat and Sal spotted Vince some money to take her to a show, too. Apparently he had a long talk in mind.

Sal offered her something to eat or drink but as was the case lately, she had no appetite.

Grace pulled a tea bag out of her purse. “I’ll take a cup of hot water.”

She’d never been much of a tea drinker but lately it seemed to be the only thing that soothed her stomach. After fixing her mug of tea they walked out into his yard and sat at his patio table. Just being in his house again did things to her but taking in the view. A view she never thought she’d be seeing again, brought a lump to her throat. She took a sip of her tea trying to swallow it back.