Sal pressed his lips together, remembering how he’d immediately noticed how comfortable she’d been around Alex that first day he hired her. Sal had always been far more guarded about showing his true feeling than either of his brothers. Those two wore their hearts on their sleeves whether they were bursting with happiness or enraged. Sal was always too worried about being professional even in his personal life.
They reached his car and he looked over the hood. “So were you surprised we were brothers?”
“No, you look so much alike.”
“I mean because I know you weren’t exactly thinking I was a sweetheart when we first met.” She stared at him from across the car and he opened the door and got in.
“Actually,” she said as she got in and put on her seatbelt. “I meant to apologize for that. I remember you saying something about first impressions and I know I made such a horrible one. I walked in there with this huge chip on my shoulder because I’d been shot down so many times already by other restaurants, you must’ve thought I was such a bitch. And then you find out I lied on my application. I don’t blame you at all for not calling me back.”
Sal drove out of the parking lot taking in what she just said. “I’m glad you came back.” He turned to look at her. “Really glad. What do you say we start over? I’ve already forgotten about that day and I understand why you lied now. If you can forget what an ass I’ve been we can start fresh.”
He was beginning to really love that sweet smile of hers. “Deal.”
The rest of the way they talked about one of her favorite topics—cooking. She told him a little bit about her school but never once mentioned seeing anyone. He hoped for an appropriate moment where he might bring it up, but there never was one. By the time they reached her place, he knew all about how she’d met her best friends Joey and Taylor. He was especially glad that they were in a happy committed relationship because he’d heard of guys that swung both ways and the way she gushed about them he would’ve had his doubts, g*y or not.
“Thank you so much for letting me tag along with you to the hospital. I can’t wait until they’re old enough so he can bring them into the restaurant and I can hold them.” She tilted her head to the side. “And thank you for the ride. You really didn’t have to.”
“Get used to it. If you don’t have a ride at night, I’ll make sure someone gets you home. I don’t care what you say. The buses are dangerous, Gracie, especially at night.” He got away with calling her Gracie earlier and he liked it. She smiled again, not correcting him. He might never go back to Grace now.
“If I have to. I will.” She opened the door and got out but leaned her head in the door. “You can’t make it your job to get me home.”
“You wanna bet?”
She shook her head but the smile escaped her. “Goodnight Sal. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Sal sat in his car until he saw her walk all the way into the apartment building. He glanced around the area. A couple of bums were lying out front by the building next to hers and some drunk looking guys walked down the sidewalk arguing. She was nuts if she thought he was going to let her take the bus home. After spending more time with her tonight, his attraction to her was irrepressible now.
~*~
The first thing Grace did when she got to work the next day was corner Oscar in the back room. After spending the evening with Sal, she was certain she felt something from him but she was terrified of getting her hopes up. It didn’t help that Melanie and Julie made him out to be the biggest ladies man they’d ever encountered. “I promise this will be the last time I ask you.”
Oscar turned to face her. She glanced out the door to make sure Sal wasn’t there yet. “He really said I was off limits? Those exact words.”
Oscar seemed a little uncomfortable. “I don’t remember the exact words but he warned me to not even think about trying to you know… get with you or anything. Said you were an employee, but I got what he meant loud and clear.”
Grace took in the new information. That made more sense now. Though she didn’t think he was so bad, Alex and Sofia said he was anal about everything. Maybe employee relationships were frowned upon. Sure, she’d begun to get a vibe from him but for someone who hadn’t made any kind of move, he sure would be taking an awful lot for granted to just blatantly tell another guy she was off limits for any other reason. But then why wouldn’t he take it for granted? Look at him and look at her. She frowned.
She saw Oscar made a face. “Why? Does that make you mad?”
“No. I’m just surprised.” She supposed if it were really what Oscar was thinking it should make her a little mad. Maybe if she wasn’t busy trying to keep from reading too much into it, it would. “Thanks, Oscar. Please don’t tell him I asked you.”
Oscar laughed. “Don’t worry. No way am I bringing that subject up again.”
She still had a few minutes before her shift started. Grabbing her phone, she went outside. She needed to talk this out with someone. Joey was out of class now. Before she could even dial, her phone rang—her mom.
Irritated that she’d probably take up the few minutes left before she started work she answered. “Hello?”
“Hi, mija.”
Her mother only called her that when she wanted something. “Yes?”
“Frank is in town. He wants to get together tonight. Nothing fancy like last time. He said just a stroll on the pier and maybe a few drinks at Finny’s.”