Joey made a heartfelt toast that nearly had Grace in tears, to which she responded with her own toast for him. He had after all graduated also. When they finished dinner and everyone got up to enjoy their drinks and the view of the sunset, Grace stood on the deck of the yacht with Sal. He stood behind her, his hands on the rail caging her in. He kissed her neck softly. “I’m so proud of you,” he whispered.

She smiled for the first time proud of herself also. “I’m just so glad I’m done.”

“The fun starts now, baby.”

Grace turned around to face him. “Really? I thought it’d already started.”

“Nope. You ain’t seen nothing yet.” He kissed her softly.

That excited her. “What does that mean?”

“Means I have big plans for you. You’ll see. The future looks bright, Grace. And everything in my future, includes you now.”

Grace was in heaven. She never thought she could ever be this happy. Leaning her head against his chest, she took a deep breath. She could hardly wait for her future to begin.

CHAPTER 27

Grace had picked up such a rhythm now at the restaurant. Being at work reminded her of being in her grandmother’s restaurant’s kitchen. It felt like her second home and she’d come to love it.

Sal was meeting with the investors to inform them about the decision he and his family had come to. They would take on another restaurant but only one at a time until they felt they could do more without being overwhelmed.

She glanced up to see a smiling Alex walk out of the office and toward the kitchen. Then he turned to the dining room and something wiped the smile right off. He turned and walked in that direction instead. Curious, Grace walked over to peek. Immediately she knew why Alex had such a change in expression. Melissa stood in the front dining room, talking to him with her hand on her hip.

Grace wiped her hands and threw the towel down. She was done putting up with this bitche’s shit. She didn’t want to make a scene in the restaurant but she wanted to make sure Melissa knew she wasn’t backing down no matter how much she persisted.

As soon as she walked out into the dining area, Melissa smirked. Alex backed up immediately making himself a barrier between her and Melissa.

“Oh I’m sorry if my presence upsets you.” Melissa glared at her. “But if I wasn’t carrying his baby I wouldn’t be here.”

Grace’s heart nearly stopped and she glanced at Alex who looked as stunned as she felt.

“We had a lot of fun in Vegas, but now he needs to own up to his responsibilities. I’m having his kid.” A slow sardonic smile spread across Melissa’s face.

Grace felt ready to pass out. She held it in, but barely. “You’re lying.” She tried taking a step forward, feeling something squeeze her windpipe. But Alex stood firmly between them.

“No I’m not. That’s why I’m here to let him know. He won’t answer my calls.” She turned to Alex who looked ready to pass out himself. “It’s not something I want to leave in a voicemail or text you know? But I’ve been patient long enough. I’m sure you’ll let him know how wonderful it feels to be a daddy.”

“I don’t believe you,” Grace said, but she could barely hear her own words over the hum that had begun in her ears.

“He never told you? That surprises me. I always thought Sal would be the come-clean type of guy. Especially since he did insist on sending those texts to you that night, practically spelling out what we were doing. You know, just to unload his conscience a little. ”

Grace wanted nothing more than to slap the smirk off Melissa’s face. The rage she’d felt when she first walked out there ready to take Melissa head on, was now replaced with something that rendered it impossible for her to speak. She swallowed hard, angry at the hot tears that blurred her vision, satisfying Melissa. She’d accomplished what she obviously come here to do.

“I’ll let Sal know you were here and why,” Alex said. His voice sounded almost robotic to Grace, as if he too were having a hard time getting the words out. “You’ll hear from him for sure. But for now I think you should go.”

Grace turned around and hurried to the back room. She refused to fall apart in front of Melissa. She wouldn’t give her the pleasure but she could barely breathe by the time she closed the door behind her. Within seconds, the door opened and she spun around, feeling ready to hyperventilate. “Do you think it’s true?” She wiped the tears away but they kept coming.

“I don’t know, sweetheart.” His phone was already in his hand and he dialed.

“Don’t call me that!” She was furious. Furious that she’d been taken in by the entire family and their charm and now she felt her heart ripping apart.

“Sal,” Alex said, looking into her eyes as she waited, taking trembling breaths. “Melissa was just here. She said she’s pregnant—and she told Gracie it happened in Vegas.”

“Is it true? Ask him if it’s true!” Grace was beginning to feel hysterical. She’d trusted him completely. Believed every word he said when he explained about the texts that night. When he said he hadn’t spent time with her the day she showed up at his place. “Ask him!”

Alex handed her the phone. “He wants to talk to you.”

She took the phone. “Tell me it’s not true. Tell me you didn’t sleep with her.” The memory of her begging her grandmother to tell her it wasn’t true that her dad was dead assaulted her and she gasped.