Sal didn’t even know why he tried arguing and turned back to Alex. His dad had joined them at the table.

“You’ve had enough.” His mother scolded his dad.

“I didn’t say anything!” His dad protested.

“But I know you. And then your heartburn will keep you up all night.”

Sal told both his dad and Alex about the conference call.

“So what do you think?” Alex asked him.

Sal shrugged. “I dunno. I’m beginning to think maybe we should just move slower. Do one restaurant at a time.” Thoughts of opening up another restaurant and taking Grace with him as the head cook had been on his mind all week. But he didn’t dare tell Alex that.

“Up to you, man,” Alex said. “But you know with school and the babies I’m gonna have my hands full for a while.”

Sal bit into the giant burrito his mother made him and nodded. After swallowing he said, “I let Grace work the kitchen today.”

“Yeah? How’d she do?”

“She took over. The girl’s incredible.”

Alex stared at him, the smile increasing as he chewed his own food.

“Stop.” Sal knew exactly what he was thinking.

“What?” Alex chuckled.

Both his parents were staring at him. “Stop what?”

“Nothing, mom.” Sal gave Alex a warning glare.

“What are you two talking about?” his father demanded.

“Nothing.” Sal repeated.

“Just tell ‘em. He’s got a thing for Grace.”

Sal let his head drop back. Damn Alex.

“The one you brought to the hospital?” His mother eyed him.

Sal stood up, wrapping his burrito in a napkin. “I gotta go.”

“No. I asked you a question.” His mother put her hand on her waist.

Alex laughed, sticking what was left of his burrito in his mouth also standing up. Sal pushed him. “Ass!”

Sal walked over to his mom and kissed her forehead. “Yes, mom, the one I brought to the hospital.”

“You got a thing for her? What does that mean?”

Sal shook his head, glaring at Alex. “Means she’s driving me crazy, but she’s on a date right now so don’t start planning any parties yet.”

“She is?” Alex asked. “How do you know?”

Sal bitterly took a bite of his burrito and felt like flinging the rest in the trash but his mother would have a fit. After a hard swallow, he turned to Alex before heading out. “The guy picked her up at the restaurant. Roses and all.” He turned back to his mom and hugged her. “I gotta go mom.” Then walked over to his dad and clapped him on the shoulder. “I’ll keep you updated about the investors. I still gotta meet with them a couple more times.”

Just before he walked out Alex got his attention. “Hey, Sal.”Sal turned back to a very serious looking Alex. “Remember what you told me when I thought it was too late for me and Valerie? Doesn’t mean anything, bro.” He shrugged. “Just ‘cause she’s on a date doesn’t mean it’s hopeless. But you gotta make a move, dude, before it is.”

Sal nodded, knowing it was true. Making a move wouldn’t be the hardest part. Her shooting him down or things not working out and having to be around her after would be the worst. So was it worth the risk? The answer to that screamed in his head… absolutely.

CHAPTER 13

For the first time in since Grace had been attending school, she fumbled through her final, barely able to finish in time. The good thing was she still managed to get a decent meal out and now this class would be out of the way. Just a few more weeks and she’d be done with all her classes and have her degree.

Joey skipped his next class to drop her off at work. “You don’t have to, Joey. I have plenty of time to take the bus.”

He waved her off. “I wasn’t going to my next class anyway. The professor is not even going to be there today. It’ll be a waste of time.”

They stopped to grab an iced coffee then headed to his car. “Taylor totally agrees with the straight up approach. People waste way too much time trying to figure out all the signs. Just go for it and ask him already.”

Grace was so nervous about this, her stomach was in knots. “I’m gonna try but I’m not promising I won’t chicken out.”

Joey groaned. “You can’t chicken out! It’s a simple question. If he can ask you then you can ask him.”

Grace asked to change the subject on the way to the restaurant. She was already one big ball of nerves. When they got there, she saw Barbie leaning against her Mercedes laughing it up with Sal. Sal was in a suit again and looked amazing. Unlike the first two times Barbie wasn’t wearing a power suit. Instead, she wore a short frilly sundress with the highest, sexiest heels. Grace probably wouldn’t be able to even stand in those shoes, let alone walk in them. Just like the last time, she kept touching him.

Grace instantly felt the lump in her throat. “Oh my God. What is the matter with me?” She turned to Joey. “I gotta get a grip.”

“Grace, the guy is hotter than shit. You have to expect women to be falling all over him. The key is to find out if he is into the relationship thing, because obviously you won’t be able to handle anything less. If he is, then these women will have to go. We’ll make sure of it. But one step at a time, sweetie. Just ‘cause this skank is all over him doesn’t mean he’s into her.” Joey parked across from Barbie and Sal and eyed them. “Look at her body language. She is so obvious and look at his. I’m telling you, he’s not into her, Grace. He looks bored.”