by T L Gray
“You’re better today,” he stated, still watching me.
“Glad to hear it.” I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful, but his skillful scrutiny was making me uncomfortable.
“But it doesn’t change the fact that you’ve been moody, short, and an all-around unpleasant person to be around. Not to mention, you almost lost your cool with Rex the other day, and you know that can’t happen. So what’s going on? No deflecting this time.”
I sighed, falling back lazily in the chair. I owed Bruce an explanation. He’d been more than patient with me. Finally I smiled. “I met a girl.”
The look on his face morphed from surprise to understanding. “Well, I guess that would do it. Who is she?”
“The new director at Hartsford.”
Bruce’s eyebrow shot up, and I didn’t like the look on his face. It was a look of recognition.
“You know her?” I didn’t know why, but that bothered me. It seemed like anytime I mentioned Grace to someone, whoever it was had either met her or heard of her. I knew she was striking, an unforgettable presence, but her growing status in the community made our pairing that much more unlikely.
“The city is kind of in a buzz about the banquet this weekend. She has Carter Fields coming, you know. The dinner sold out the first day tickets became available. A dinner that costs fifteen thousand dollars a plate, mind you.”
I knew Grace was from the elite, but she lived so simply, was so unassuming, that I found myself forgetting our class difference. Insecurity gripped me. How long could I pretend I wasn’t an ex-con and she wasn’t a New York princess?
“What else have you heard?” Bruce immediately noticed my change in tone and looked sympathetic, like a father letting his son down easy.
“Just that you aren’t the only one smitten with her. She’s charmed more than a few businesses into supporting that center, which is great. It’s about time the city rallied around something worthwhile.” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “Considering she’s the first girl to even turn your head in a long, long time, do you think that maybe you are choosing to pursue something you know will have no chance of materializing?”
The shot to my pride hurt almost as much as realizing he thought I wasn’t good enough for her. “I don’t have a crush, Bruce. We’re in a relationship. A mutual, exclusive relationship.” The surprise on his face only fanned the flame burning inside me. “And for the record, she pursued me.”
Bruce’s office suddenly felt stuffy and I was done with the informal chat.
“Matt, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“No, I know exactly what you mean. And I’m fully aware that we are from different worlds, that our chances of making it are slim at best. That edginess you mentioned, that short fuse you are so concerned about? Well, that was me trying to stay away from her, and I just can’t, okay?”
Bruce watched as I took several deep breaths to calm down. Once I was under control, he leaned back and changed the subject.
“How are you sleeping?”
“Just fine. No nightmares for a couple weeks now.” I didn’t mention that I was still waking up every two hours to prevent them, but my interest in this little heart-to-heart had ended.
Bruce was no dummy. He could tell by my defensive posture and terse answers that he wasn’t getting behind my defenses.
Sighing, he crossed his arms. “So I guess you’re going to the banquet, then. I don’t envy the pretentious dress-up part, but I must admit I’d love to meet Carter Fields.”
My stomach burned. Grace hadn’t invited me. Granted, this thing between us was new, but still, after last night shouldn’t she have at least mentioned the possibility of my going?
Feigning a smile, I stood. “You know me, Bruce. Knocking elbows with the rich and famous isn’t really my thing. Anyway, this has been fun, but you actually pay me to work.”
Before he could protest, I was out of his office and back at my desk. I doubted if my mood could get worse, until I saw Grace had texted me again.
Grace: Sam wants to go to the hotel tonight and sample all the food they are serving, so I’ll probably miss you when you come by to see Marcus. ☹
I squeezed my eyes shut until I stopped seeing red.
Me: That’s fine.
Grace: You ok?
Me: Peachy.
Grace: Do you want to come over after I get back? It may be late.
Me: Do you want me to?
Grace: Yes, of course.
Me: Then I’ll be there.
I stared at our conversation while trying to get my warring emotions under control. If Grace and I could exist in a vacuum, then there’d be no issue. We were a perfect fit. But we couldn’t, and each day I was reminded that our very new, budding relationship was just one step away from being completely torn apart.
Chapter 22
* * *
GRACE
Glancing at my watch again, I tried not to look agitated. “You about ready?”
We were still seated in the restaurant at the Hotel Mayan, even though they’d shut down the kitchen thirty minutes ago. Sam looked up from his furious scribbling and smirked. “What’s the rush? You have a hot date tonight or something?”
His comment was meant to be a joke, but when I didn’t respond he scowled. “It’s awful late to be meeting up with someone, don’t you think?”
“Sam, I’m twenty-five years old. I think I’m well past the age when I need a curfew.”
“Does your dad know you’re seeing someone?” His voice was clipped, as if he was responsible for me in some way.
I was beginning to wonder if that wasn’t the case. If maybe this entire job thing had been my father’s way of keeping tabs on me after I told him I was moving out. I pushed the ugly thought aside. I knew better. My parents weren’t controlling or manipulative, but they were protective. At first I had no doubt that Sam’s visit was at their prompting, but now I wasn’t so sure. He’d been acting strange ever since that first day. Our normally playful banter felt strained and even uncomfortable at times.
“Sam, I’m ready to go home. It’s ten o’clock, and I’ve been in these shoes since six this morning.” I glanced around the sparse dining room, taking in the soft music coming from the hidden speakers.
I wanted to see Matt, and every minute that ticked by jeopardized his coming over. I had already sensed that something was off with him today. His texts were short, snappish even. The old Matt, the guarded one, was trying to resurface.
Sam sighed, realizing that I was done working for the evening. “Gracie, you don’t know anything about this guy. You’re vulnerable right now and you’re nursing a broken heart. I just don’t want you jumping into something you’re going to regret. I can understand your wanting to forget, but this isn’t the way.”
Sam’s blue eyes pleaded and I realized the entire day had been a lame attempt to keep me away from Matt. I wanted to be angry with him, but knew he was only trying to intervene because he cared. He didn’t know Matt the way I did. He didn’t know that I wasn’t using him to forget Stewart. I had healed before Matt ever entered the picture.
“Sam, I don’t love Stewart anymore. Sometimes I wonder if I ever did, or if he was just what I always thought my next step was. Did he hurt me? Yes, of course he did. But I’m not hurting right now. I’m happy.”
Sam’s brown hair fell over one eye when he leaned in and rested his hand on mine. “I’m glad you’re happy, Gracie. That’s what I wanted when I sent you out here. I never liked Stewart anyway. He’s pretentious.”
I laughed at the way he scrunched his nose. “And you’re not, Mister ‘I’ll buy an island just to get some peace and quiet’?”
“Hey, I told you that in confidence.” He tried to pout, but doing so was impossible through our laughter.
His eyes fixed on me and suddenly that uncomfortable feeling took over again. “You really have blossomed, Gracie. You’re self-assured and witty. You took a situation that would have broken most p
eople and turned it into something special. Any guy would be lucky to have your attention, even if he is just a rebound.”
Of course he had to get one last slam in. “Matt’s not a rebound.”
He let go of my hand and raised his own hands in surrender. “Whatever you say. Just promise me you’ll be careful.”
“I will. Now please, slave driver, let me go home or I will be a walking zombie tomorrow.”
He packed up and stopped by the hotel concierge, giving me just enough time to text Matt that I was on my way and would be there in fifteen minutes. I was grateful we had taken two cars to the hotel. I had strategically avoided letting Sam see where I lived, knowing full well he’d have me relocated in less than an hour. My complex was even scarier at night, especially when groups were hanging out around the parking lot, drinking and cutting up.
Matt was waiting by my door when I pulled in. He looked incredible. A snug black T-shirt stopped just below the waistband of faded denim. His thumbs were hooked in his jeans pockets, while a foot rested casually against the wall behind him. I suddenly felt nervous, or maybe just eager. My emotions jumbled when I saw him.
Matt glanced up, and when our eyes locked, a ball of heat exploded in my gut. “Hi,” I said as I shut my car door.
He pushed off from the wall, his voice matching the scowl on his face. “You didn’t loop the parking lot before pulling in.”
Immediately the heat dissipated with his cold stare. “I saw you, Matt. I wasn’t worried.”
“So when I’m not here, you do it?”
Busted. Okay, now what was I supposed to do? Lie? No. I couldn’t lie to him even if I wanted to, which I didn’t. He was far too perceptive.
“Okay, no, I don’t, but I’ll start. I promise.”
He smiled and closed the distance between us. My heart picked up speed, anticipating his kiss. The kiss I’d missed all day. But he didn’t kiss me, just took my face in his hands, softly caressing my cheeks. “Your safety is important to me.”
Breathless and so ready for contact, I whispered, “I know.”
He stepped back so I could unlock the door to my apartment. I had to remind my feet to move. Just when I got the key in the lock, Matt was on me. The keys were gone from my fingers, and I was completely immobile against the door. His hand over my mouth muffled my shocked scream.
“Do you see how quick that was, Grace?” his harsh voice whispered in my ear. “Seconds are all it takes for someone to overpower you. Never turn your back like that.”
He let go of me and opened the door. I was shaking when he pulled me inside, slamming the door behind us.
Angry now, I glared at him. “You didn’t have to scare me like that.”
“Yes, I did.” His voice was full of exasperation. “Because telling you over and over isn’t working. I may not always be here and you have got to learn to protect yourself.”
He was doing it again. Talking as if he was about to walk away. “What do mean by you may not always be here? Are you breaking up with me already?”
He sat on the couch, head suddenly in his hands. “Grace, at some point we’re going to have to accept that we are different. A fish and a bird are separated for a reason. They can’t breathe in each other’s world.”
I took off my heels and dropped next to him, carefully tucking my feet under me. “Last I checked, we weren’t either of those things.” I ran my fingers over the short hairs above his temple. “Where is this coming from?”
He met my eyes, still defensive, but at least his hand had found mine. “Why didn’t you invite me to the banquet?”
Startled by his question, I answered honestly. “I didn’t think you’d want to go. You’ve made no secret of your dislike for the people who tour the center. The banquet will be full of those and worse . . . their spouses.”
The distaste in my voice made Matt chuckle. “Grace, if it’s important to you, then it’s important to me, even if I have to dress up in some monkey suit and play nice for a night.”
Smiling, I held his face, forcing him to look at me. “Matt Holloway, will you be my plus-one on Saturday?”
His humor turned to frustration as he stood. “Don’t patronize me.”
“I’m not,” I assured him with a laugh. Man, he was testy. “I would be thrilled to have you escort me to this thing.” I wrapped my arms around his waist, smiling up at his hardened face. “I’ll enjoy having the sexiest date there.”
Those words finally broke through his armor, and quickly his arms wrapped around me. “Sexy, huh?” He grinned, making no attempt to hide that he liked those words.
I blushed, a little embarrassed by my boldness. “You know you are. Don’t even try to act humble.”
He responded by leaning down to kiss me, embracing me tightly. Still dazed, he pulled me over to the couch and propped my aching feet on his lap, gently massaging them.
“Now tell me about your day,” he said.
I leaned back, taking in the handsome face of my new boyfriend, and did just that.
Chapter 23
* * *
MATT
I tugged at the collar of my rented tux while Naomi stood in the corner trying to hold in a laugh. It was bad enough that I had to stop by just to get the bowtie tied, but Naomi’s muffled amusement was just making the moment worse.
“I’m sorry,” she giggled when I looked at her with annoyance.
Jake wasn’t much better, enjoying my discomfort far too much. Worse, I was borrowing his car, since my bike was no chariot. Dealing with the logistics made me feel like a teenage kid getting ready for prom. A cold chill descended . . . I never went to prom. No, I was incarcerated my senior year, studying for the GED.
“What am I doing?” My strained voice was just loud enough for Jake to hear. He saw the unease in my eyes and offered a reassuring smile.
“You’re taking your very beautiful girlfriend to dinner. The rest of this stuff doesn’t matter.”
Taking a deep breath, I stopped messing with the jacket, even though I could swear the thing was going to choke me to death. Jake stepped aside and I presented myself to Naomi, waiting for her verdict.
Her smile was encouraging as she came forward and brushed some lint off the jacket. “What can I say? You’re an all-around Prince Charming.” She stood next to Jake, his arm automatically wrapping around her.
“More like the Frog Prince.” I sighed, putting my hand out for Jake’s keys.
He dropped them in my palm, but not without a few jokes at my expense.
“Oh, don’t pretend you aren’t giddy to have my Harley for the night,” I retorted over his laughter. “And if there is so much as a scratch, I swear . . .”
“Simmer down. Naomi’s driving.” Jake laughed louder when my mouth dropped open. He was enjoying my anxiety far more than he should have been. “Just kidding. We’ll be gentle. Now get out of here before Grace starts to think she’s getting stood up.”
With one more quick hug from Naomi, I was out the door and on my way to Grace’s apartment. A sixteen-year-old kid on his first date would have been less nervous than I was when my knuckles rapped on her door. Waiting, I wiped my clammy palms on my heavily pressed tux.
The door swung open to reveal Grace, looking like an angel against the soft light of her living room. My eyes wandered, drinking in every inch. The material flowed over her flawless body in an easy, seductive way. The dress was all white, except for the shiny silver strip around her slim waist.
My mouth was still open when I met her sparkling eyes, the blue a remarkable contrast to her dress. I had to work to get my breath back. “That dress is . . .”
“A little much, I know, but my mother insisted and, well, I’m a sucker for beautiful clothes.” She smiled shyly as she often did when acknowledging her family’s wealth.
I approached, careful to only lightly touch her hair. She looked too perfect to be real. “Your mother has great taste. You look unbelievable.”
Her hands found the lapels of m
y dark tux, tugging me closer. “You look pretty amazing yourself.” Her soft lips touched mine, but I hardly moved, not wanting to ruin perfection.
I may be dressed the part tonight, but Grace was in her element. She belonged in fancy gowns, going to dinners that cost half a year’s salary. I looked around her run-down apartment complex and realized that the meager accommodations were her “tux.” She was dressing the part for her job, but in reality Grace didn’t belong in this world . . . my world.
The awareness saddened me, but I pushed the feeling aside, determined to give Grace a night she would always remember. She’d put her heart and soul into the banquet.
I offered my arm the way I’d seen tuxedoed men do in movies. “Your chariot awaits, my lady.”
The door shut and locked behind us as we walked toward Jake’s fancy sports car. I glanced down at Grace’s bare shoulders and caught the slight sparkle of glitter on her skin. So subtle, one would have to be very close to notice. Smiling, I pressed my mouth to the very spot I’d seen shimmering and then opened the passenger door.
She turned with the playful look in her eye that drove me crazy. “Matt Holloway, I must say you can be very charming when you want to be.”
Serious now, I wrapped my arm around her waist, tucking her close to me. The beads on her waistband felt as delicate as she did. I kissed under her ear ever so carefully. “I want tonight to be perfect, Grace.”
Fingertips, soft as feathers, touched my cheek. “It already is. You’re here.”
Forget it, I thought, and my mouth crushed hers. She could deal with the makeup later. I needed to touch, needed to forget what a slippery slope we were on. Needed reassurance that I wasn’t crazy for traveling this path with her.
She swayed when I pulled away, boosting my ego a little. I loved that I had such an effect on her, that I was the only one who could rock her regal poise.
Grace explained the order of events while we drove. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, dinner, then Carter Fields would take the stage, followed by a strict thirty-minute book signing. The silent auction would be going on during the entire banquet, and winners would be announced at the end of the night. She apologized in advance if she ended up disappearing throughout the evening.