“What time? I have class in the morning.”

He sucked her neck now, feeling the tightening of his pants, but he couldn’t stop. Julie walked in the room and Grace pulled away, annoying the hell out of him.

“Uh… your ride is here, Grace.”

Grace was visibly embarrassed; her face even flushed a little. “Thanks. Can you let him know I’ll be out in a minute please?” Julie walked out and Grace turned to Sal, who reached for her hand. “I get off at noon. I can meet you there. I’ll just have to figure out the bus route.”

Sal hated thinking about her on the bus. No matter what she said, it was dangerous. He’d have to come up with a way to get her off it. As much as he wanted to he knew he wouldn’t always be able to pick her up and drop her off. He didn’t like her relying on anyone else either. “No, I’ll pick you up at school.”

“You sure?”

“Of course, I’m sure.”

She smiled. “Okay. C’mon. Lets go introduce you to Taylor.”

“Oh yeah, that.”

She looked at him weird. “What does that mean?”

“Nothing I just forgot about it.”

They walked out of the office and took the dreaded walk to the front where Taylor stood near the front door. Sal hadn’t noticed the green eyes that first day he picked her up but now he noticed every detail, including the smoldering way he looked at Grace as they approached him. “You ready, beautiful?”

Sal didn’t want to hate this guy but he was really starting to. Hell, he hated him the first time he saw him leave with Grace. “Yeah, I’m ready, but I wanted you to meet Sal.” She turned to Sal, letting go of his hand to stand by Taylor. “Sal this is one half of my two best friends, Taylor.”

Taylor reached his hand out to shake Sal’s. “Nice to meet you. The other half is with his mommy.” Taylor sounded annoyed and that made Sal feel a little better. The guy was mad that his boyfriend flaked on their shopping date. Although, it didn’t help that his arm was now draped over Grace’s shoulder.

“Good to meet you, too. I’ve heard a lot about you and Joey.”

“Likewise,” Taylor smiled. “She’s talked our ear off about you as well.”

Grace seemed embarrassed by that. Sal took a step forward, reaching out for her hand. “Well, hopefully you’ll be hearing a lot more.”

“I’m sure we will.” Taylor turned to Grace. “Your sister’s waiting. Are we out?”

Grace laughed. “Yes! She’s already texted me twice.” She started to take her hand out of Sal’s. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

Taylor took his arm off her and pushed the door open. She turned to walk out.

Hell no. Sal pulled her back toward him before she could take a step. “Aren’t you gonna say goodbye?”

Her eyes went wide. Yes, he knew they were in the restaurant and everyone was around but after what happened today, he felt compelled to make a statement. So he brought his hand behind her neck and kissed her softly. Not too long but long enough. He would’ve kissed her even longer if he didn’t think it would make her completely uncomfortable. Everyone would know now and that’s exactly how he wanted it.

CHAPTER 17

To say Taylor was livid when Grace told him about the Melissa incident was putting it lightly. He did, however, love that both Alex and Sofia had backed her up the way they did. And he was more than ecstatic about the way things were turning out with her and Sal. “My God, Grace. I don’t know how you ever had a doubt this guy was hot for you.”

“Well, I’m not a mind reader,” she said, texting her sister that they were outside waiting for her.

“You don’t have to be with this guy. He does realize I’m g*y right?”

Grace looked at him. “Yeah, he knows all about you and Joey.”

“Did you not see the way his eyes nearly flamed up when I put my arm around you?”

“They did not.”

Taylor opened his mouth wide in amazement. “Grace, I almost jerked my arm back, afraid he was gonna kick my ass. I can’t believe you didn’t notice.”

Grace laughed. “You’re such a liar.”

“Ah, shit. This guy has probably been hot for you since day one and you didn’t even notice.”

Grace thought about Alex’s comment, Oh that, when she reminded him she wanted him to meet Taylor. But it was total nonsense, he knew Taylor was harmless.

“I know now. That’s all that matters.” She smiled, feeling giddy. “He wants me to meet his entire family.”

“Wow. But I’m not surprised. I’m telling you, Grace. This guy’s body language is so obvious it’s ridiculous. You gotta be blind if you don’t see it. Just wait ‘til Joey sees him around you. I’m surprised he hasn’t said he loves you yet.”

That made Grace’s heart pound. “No way. We haven’t known each other long enough.” But she had cried for him already—several times.

“You don’t need to know much more than how he makes you feel.” He reached out and cupped her chin with his thumb and finger. “Brace yourself, Gracie. I saw the way you looked at him when he kissed you. If I hadn’t seen the way he looked at you, I’d be worried.”

Rose got in the back seat.

“Hey, Rosie.” Taylor reached in the back and squeezed her knee. “Ready to shop ‘til you drop?”