“It’s not La Jolla is it?”

“I didn’t say anything.” The last thing he wanted was for her to think he was judging. He was just being careful—nothing wrong with that.

Joey greeted them at the door, hugging and kissing Grace. “I finally get to formally meet you, Sal.” He held his hand out. “I’m Joey.”

Sal shook his hand. “Nice to finally meet you too, Joey”

They walked in. Taylor was in the tiny kitchen, working on something on the counter. “Hey you guys. Just in time. Grace isn’t the only one with some bartending skills. Don’t worry, Rosie. I made something special for you, too.”

“Grace, I told you not to bring anything,” Joey scolded as he took the beer from Sal and the chips from Grace.

Sal glanced around the colorful apartment. Admittedly, he’d expected something more flamboyant. But it was tastefully decorated with pictures and paintings of bakeries and coffee shops. As small as the apartment was they’d used every inch of it quite stylishly without making look overcrowded and their furniture matched their polished wood flooring, giving the whole place an aura of elegance.

Taylor came around the small counter separating the kitchen from the front room. He wore camouflage carpenter shorts that had a few strategically placed rips in them. They hung just off his waist and the muscle shirt he wore looked a size too small. The pitcher he held was very big and Sal knew just by the color, the orange slices and different berries floating around just what it was. “You have to try my Sangria. It’s the best.” He glanced at Rose. “I made pink lemonade for you, sweetie.”

Sal noticed how comfortable Rose was and how she made herself at home, immediately, walking into the kitchen to grab a glass.

Taylor poured everyone but Rose a tall glass of Sangria. It was damn good. Sal nodded and gave Taylor the praise he was obviously waiting for. “Good stuff.”

“Hors d’oeurves!” Joey called from the kitchen.

He brought a great looking spread of different appetizers. “Wow, that looks delicious.” Sal had to admit.

Joey set it down on the coffee table in front of Grace and Sal then put his hand over his mouth. “I gotta tell you, Sal. I don’t know how Grace does it. I’ve been a wreck all day, knowing I’d be cooking for you.”

Both Grace and Sal laughed. “Joey, I told you we could just order pizza. You didn’t have to do all this,” Grace said, reaching for an appetizer.

“Are you kidding me, Grace? And miss showin’ off for one of the owners of Moreno’s? I don’t think so. Wait ‘til you see what’s for dinner.”

“Well, I appreciate it and even though you didn’t have to, I’m already impressed.” Sal reached over and put a fork through something that looked like a cheese puff. Everyone stared at him as he bit into it. It turned out to be a crab puff and it was delicious. He lifted his other hand and connected the tips of his thumb and forefingers and held it out for Joey as he chewed; once done chewing he wiped his mouth. “God, that’s good!”

After going through most of the pitcher of Sangria and munching on all the appetizers, Grace and Joey were getting a little giggly. Since they were both just about done with school, they were reminiscing about some of the things they’d gone through.

“Remember when they teamed you up with Herman The German for that one presentation?” Grace laughed.

“Ah shit. I had to hear about that for weeks.” Taylor rolled his eyes, pouring himself another glass.

Joey didn’t laugh. He looked pissed. “He asked me, ‘What means blackened?’ Are you f**king kidding me? What third year culinary student has to ask that?”

“Joey, the poor guy’s English was limited,” Grace said taking another sip of her drink.

“Was he really German?” Sal asked.

Joey and Grace looked at each other then fell into one another laughing hysterically.

Taylor smirked, shaking his head. “Apparently the guy was short with a bad hair cut and a weird mustache, so these two decided he looked like Hitler. Hence, Herman the German, but he was as Mexican as they are. I hope you know you have a spoiled snob on your hands.”

“I am not!” Grace protested.

“She has every right to be a snob!” Joey sat up straight. “She out cooked even the professors. God, I loved it when she showed them a thing or two and left them speechless. But spoiled? Never!” He put his arm around her. “My baby girl has worked so hard to get where she is.”

Suddenly both Joey and Grace teared up. “All right that’s enough Sangria for both of you,” Taylor said.

Sal slipped his hand into Grace’s and squeezed it. She pulled out of Joey’s embrace and wiped her eyes. “We’re so stupid,” she said smiling.

“I know. I know.” Joey stood up. “Taylor get that stuff away from me—you know what it does to me. And I haven’t even finished showing off for Sal.”

“You want some water too, Gracie?” Taylor smiled at her sweetly. “Because that’s what Joey is getting for the next half hour or so, or at least until he has a full meal.”

Gracie smirked at him then glanced back at Sal. “Yeah, I better.”

Dinner was impressive—oven roasted sea bass with ginger and lime sauce. It was all very impressive and Joey had the presentation down to an art. Sal was also glad it wasn’t anything heavy. After over-helping himself to the appetizers, he couldn’t take anything too heavy and he knew Joey would be watching closely as he ate.