For the following fifteen minutes, Grace did her best to stay busy and keep her mind off of Sal’s last comment. It didn’t mean anything. She had to stop reading into everything he said, but even if it did mean just what he said, and nothing else, that alone was enough to make her heart pound. Sal had been impressed. So what if it was just with her cooking? Her heart inflated anyway.

She saw him hang up and make another call and then walk back toward her with the smile that had begun to haunt her dreams. “He’s meeting her and her dad at the hospital. Unless the doctors can stop the contractions Alex just may be a daddy tonight.” Sal chuckled. “And he’s nervous as shit.”

Grace remembered the look on Alex’s face just before he left. She thought he might be sick. “I can only imagine; he’s been so nervous all these past weeks.”

“It should be okay. I’ll swing by the hospital tonight after we close up. See if I can’t calm him down a little. My parents are already on their way.”

Oscar approached the bar, wiping the smile right off of Sal’s face. Before Oscar even said anything, someone from the kitchen called Sal. He excused himself and Grace started on the order Oscar rattled off. “So how come you didn’t tell me?”

“Tell you what?”

“You know.” He motioned toward the kitchen. “About who you’re talking to?”

Grace glanced back at the kitchen then met Oscar’s eyes again. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, I get it.” He smiled, wickedly. “You two are keeping it on the down low.” He picked up the tray with the drinks Grace just put on them. “Makes sense, him being the boss and all.” He took the tray and walked away in a rush.

Grace froze, feeling the mortification sink in as Oscar walked away. Was she that obvious? She turned to see Sal walk out of the kitchen and into the office. What if it got back to him? What if Oscar mentioned it to Sal? Melanie had told her that Oscar and Sal went way back to Sal’s early college days. She felt her face warm. This was a nightmare.

Oscar was on his way back to the bar and Grace made sure to get his attention. He walked over to her side of the bar. “What’s up?”

“Where uh… ” She wiped off the counter, avoiding eye contact and cleared her throat. “Where would you get the idea that me and Sal are…?”

Oscar laughed. “He told me.” Grace stopped wiping and looked at him. “But don’t sweat it. I won’t say anything to anyone. I need a pitcher of Bud and two mugs.”

“What do you mean he told you?” She took a step back to grab a pitcher out of the freezer but never once took her eyes off Oscar.

Oscar shrugged. “Look, I’m sorry. He didn’t say it was a secret; maybe I wasn’t supposed to tell you he said anything.”

Grace began pouring the beer into the pitcher. “What exactly did he say?”

“He just asked about me taking you home the other day.” Oscar looked away from her, scratching his head. “He got a little pissy and just made it clear that you were off limits.”

She finally had to take her eyes off him when she felt the cold beer on her hand from the overflowing pitcher. “Damn it.”

“Here he comes. Don’t tell him I told you.”

Grace glanced back at Sal, her stomach completely in knots now. Pissy? She cleaned up the pitcher and put it on Oscar’s tray along with two chilled mugs. She caught the exchanged glance between Oscar and Sal just as Sal reached the bar.

“Any word on them babies?” Oscar asked, picking up the tray.

“Looks like they’ll be here tonight. The doctors can’t seem to stop the contractions. The whole crew is down there except Angel who said he might close down early and head to the hospital. I might do the same, so you guys may get to leave early tonight.”

“I’m off in ten minutes anyway,” Oscar said.

Sal glanced at Grace. “You’re closing right?”

“Yeah.” Suddenly she couldn’t look him in the eyes.

“I’ll let you know.” He glanced around the restaurant. “Looks like it’s slowing down.” He checked his watch. “Yeah, more than likely I will.” He headed to the front and Oscar walked away, leaving Grace there to try to make sense of what Oscar had said. Off limits?

She hoped to catch Oscar before he left but she got caught up by a sudden rush and before she knew it, he was gone.

Sal began closing up as soon as the last of customers were out just after seven so she at least wouldn’t have to stand at the bus stop after eight.

Melanie rushed out and Grace was pretty sure there was no one else left in the restaurant besides her and Sal. Oscar’s words still rang in her ears as she pulled the apron off over her head. He got a little pissy and just made it clear that you were off limits.

“Your ride isn’t here yet?” Grace nearly jumped, hearing Sal’s voice as he walked into the back room.

She placed the apron in the cabinet and pulled out her purse. “No. They’re not coming tonight.”

Sal stopped what he was doing at the desk and turned to her. “So how you getting home?”

“The bus.” She smiled but saw the look on his face. “I take it all the time.”

He shook his head. “I’ll take you home.”

“No, really it’s okay.” Her heart sped up at the very thought of being alone with him in a car. “I don’t know why everyone acts like it’s such a terrible thing. You have to go be with Alex, remember? Poor guy’s probably falling apart over there.” She laughed nervously making her way to the door.