“Good.” Jason smiled, getting in the cart. “We’re all flying out Friday and coming back Monday.”

Hell no. Sal climbed in on the passenger side of the cart. “I can’t do all that. But I’ll meet you guys up there Saturday, then I gotta get back Sunday.”

Jason’s shook his head. “You work too much, man. You need a vacation.”

“Partying all weekend is not my idea of a vacation. I’m only doing this because it’s for you.”

“Well you can’t show up and be a dud either. This is Vegas we’re talking about remember? What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”

Sal took a drink of his coffee and glared at Jason. “Dude, you’re getting married.”

“I’m not talking about me, I’m talking ‘bout you.”

“I’ll have a few drinks with you. I’m not flying out there for nothing. But I’m not doing anything crazy either.” He had Grace to think about now. Jason was lucky he was even going.

Turned out what Jason wanted to talk about was the cold feet he was beginning to feel. Sal did his best to assure him it was normal. The guy had been living with his girlfriend for years now. What difference would it make if he got married?

Talking about marriage inevitably made him think of Grace. Though in the last couple of days everything made him think of her. Even the phone that continued to buzz in his pocket made him think of her. He was really going to have to do something about Melissa before she did anything stupid.

CHAPTER 16

Grace tried not to let the disappointment of knowing Sal wouldn’t be there all morning take from the excitement of adding her new dish to the Sunday brunch. She knew this was huge. There were many waiting to be seated already and her newest dish would be out there. Sofia had tried it and loved it. Alex was coming in just to try it. Her dream was slowly being realized.

She was showing the cooks the basics on how to make it just like her grandmother had always taught her. A quick but informal lesson, and they had it. Unlike Sal, she believed in their ability to make it work. The recipe wasn’t that complicated and she hadn’t even written it down.

Sofia walked into the kitchen after a couple of hours. “Grace. They’re loving it. It can’t be replaced fast enough. Mexican shrimp fried rice is the bomb! Angel is gonna be so pissed!” She laughed.

Grace didn’t think her week could get any better. “Are they really?”

“Would I lie?” Sofia walked over and hugged her. “Sal is gonna flip!”

After Sofia walked out she was still walking on air then Alex walked in with a plate in his hands. “Are you shitting me with this?”

Sofia looked up from the stove she’d been cleaning off. “You don’t like it?”

“Hell yeah, I like it! It’s delicious!”

Just as she was allowing the awesomeness of this day to sink in, there was a commotion out in the restaurant. Someone was complaining a little too loudly. Alex turned around and put his plate down. “I’ll be back.”

Grace walked slowly to the door and watched as Alex charged out into the dining room.

“I need to see Sal.” She heard a woman demand.

“He’s not here,” Alex said. “What can I do for you?”

Grace reached the door in time to see it was Melissa smirking at Alex. “Oh, you could do plenty I’m sure, but I need Sal.”

Alex glanced around the restaurant. “Like I said, he’s not here.”

Melissa didn’t look like her usual power chick self. She wore denim shorts and a tank top. But her hair and make up were still flawless.

“Your brother’s blowing me off, Alex. I don’t get blown off. He tried throwing the ‘I’m seeing someone else now,’ crap on me. I don’t buy that.”

Grace’s days of going nose to nose with bullies came back to her in a flash. She’d kicked some ass back in her day. She had to. Being new to the states with an accent had made the kids tease her endlessly. When the words didn’t come fast enough to defend herself, the fists went flying.

If Sal actually did tell this bitch he was seeing someone, then he was serious.

“I don’t know anything about it, and he’s not here,” Alex insisted.

“When will he be? Because he if he thinks he can just blow me off, he’s sadly mistaken.”

Before Alex could respond, Grace walked up from behind him, pulling off her earrings off one by one. “He’s seeing me now. Do you have a problem with that?”

Melissa seemed stunned for a second then she smirked. “No way. I knew he probably did the help but to tell them he’s seeing them?” She turned to Alex and scoffed. “That’s just low.”

Grace almost jumped at her but she felt Alex’s hand around her waist and before she knew it, he was in front of her and spoke through his teeth. “Get the f**k out of here, Melissa.”

“I’m not going anywhere until I talk to Sal.”

Sofia got in front of Alex and he pulled her back too. “No, Sof.” Melissa had the attention of everyone in the restaurant. Alex turned to Oscar, who stood by the bar. He still held both Grace and Sofia back. “Help me out here. Walk her out, man.”

“Tell your brother he owes me.” Melissa glared at Alex. Then she looked at Grace. “You’re a joke. What on earth could your wetback ass have to offer Sal, besides an easy lay?”

Grace tried but there was no getting around Alex. Sofia almost did though. “Get her out!” She screamed, surprising Grace. “Before I throw her ass out!”