by Tanya Vought
A young man approaches them. “Hello, ladies.” He smiles at Mara and Kat. “How nice to see you again.” He turns to Gracelynn and gives her a sparkling smile as well. “And who might you be?”
She blushes and tells him her name. “It’s nice to meet you, Gracelynn,” the young man says. “Please follow me.”
The waiter takes them to a booth, gives them their menus and asks if they would like something to drink and if they know what they would like to eat. Mara and Kat decide on a soda except Gracelynn who asks for lemon water. They ask to wait a few minutes so they can decide on dinner. The young man leaves the table but not without winking at Gracelynn first.
Gracelynn is too distracted to look at the menu. Children laugh from the kids section, couples sit there smiling at each other, and the whole place has Gracelynn depressed. All the things she’ll never get to experience has her gripping her necklace for comfort.
* * *
Leaving work wasn’t a hard choice. After getting off the phone Gio tells Mallory, his assistant, that he’s leaving for the day.
He drives the few minutes to Sal’s place and since he’s early, decides to have a drink. Not typical for him, but he decides one won’t be that bad. As he picks up his drink, he notices movement in the corner of his eyes. Gracelynn, Mara and Kat walk past the bar following their waiter to their seats. Seeing Gracelynn again makes his insides twitch. He’s also noticed the waiter has his eyes on Gracelynn too. That makes his blood boil. He doesn’t like the young man checking her out.
Clutching his hands together, he wills himself to calm down. He doesn’t need to be jealous. He doesn’t even know this woman and he’s already being possessive, which isn’t like him at all. After finishing his drink, he thanks the bartender and decides to use the restroom, which is right near the corner booth where the ladies are seated.
As he walks toward the back of the restaurant, he notices Gracelynn staring right at him. He smiles when her cheeks flush. He can’t believe how beautiful she looks tonight. The ladies did a wonderful job, but that’s not all. Happiness shines in her eyes. Whether she’s happy to see him or just because of the girls, it doesn’t matter. It’s just good to see her looking so full of life.
* * *
“Hi, Gio,” Gracelynn speaks up as he is about to walk past their table. She still has butterflies swarming around in her stomach from when he looked at her. What is it about this man that gets her heart racing?
Gio glances at the ladies and smiles. “Hello again, Gracelynn.” He then turns toward Mara and Kat. “Ladies, I had no idea you knew Gracelynn.”
“We didn’t. I ran into her today at the café and then we got talking. We ended up at Mara’s salon and decided to get dinner,” Kat replies without taking her eyes off the menu.
Mara puts her menu down. “Would you like to join us, Gio? We’ve just arrived and have yet to order, as you can see.” She points to their empty table.
Gio’s face lights up. Gracelynn wonders what it would be like to make him smile like that every day.
“If that’s okay with everyone else, I’d love to have dinner with you all. Let me use the men’s room first though. I’ll be right back.”
* * *
Just as Gio is about to return to their table, his phone rings. He stops, noticing it’s Mallory calling and answers. “Hi, Mallory. Yes. I forgot. I was in such a hurry to leave that it totally slipped my mind. Sure, you can bring it to Sal’s. I’ll see you then.” He puts his phone back in his pocket, returns to the table and notices Gracelynn looking somber.
“Everything okay, doll? These two didn’t do anything to upset you, did they?” He can smell her wonderful, intoxicating scent and his body reacts. Thank goodness the table hides just how much. He hopes she won’t look down at him because if so, he won’t be able to hide his excitement. He looks at her, filled with embarrassment, but she smiles at him.
”I’m fine.” She leans back, relaxing in her seat.
“By the way, you look ravishing tonight. I love the new do.” Gio brushes a lock of her curled hair around her ear.
“Um, excuse us…shall we order dinner or shall we watch you both flirt with one another?” Mara says with a small smirk playing on her lips.
Gracelynn’s face reddens. She softly pushes Gio away. “Please stop whispering to me.”
He nods. ”You’re right. I’m sorry. I’ll be a good boy for the rest of dinner.”
“Yeah…I’m not feeling too well all of a sudden,” Mara says while she looks at Kat. “Would you mind taking me home?”
Kat blinks a few times, but then she nods. “Yes. Yes, I’ll take you home right away.”
“Great.” Mara starts to get up. “Whatever you order,” she tells Gracelynn, “tell Sal it’s on me, and to put it on my tab.”
Gracelynn glances at Kat and Mara. “Oh wait, guys! I came with you and my music box is still in Kat’s truck.”
Kat smiles mischievously. “Once I get Mara back to her house, I’ll bring your gift back to you.” She glances at Gio, giving him the same mischievous grin. “Gio, could you take Gracelynn back to the café when you’re done here? Her car is parked there.”
Gio turns away from Gracelynn and focuses on Kat. “That won’t be a problem.” He thanks them as they leave and then turns back to face the woman he’s attracted to.
“Interesting dinner date with those ladies, huh?” Gracelynn lets out a small laugh. “Well, yes, they’re wonderful, though it’s obvious what they’re up to. I’ll get them for this next time, they just don’t know it yet.”
Gio looks at her in wonder. She has so much passion, so much life. He wonders what she likes or dislikes, and what she’s passionate about and…what it would be like to kiss her again.
“Gio, what did you tell Kat about me?”
Her question takes him by surprise. He looks around the restaurant, coming up with a way to tell her, but before he has the chance to respond he’s saved by Kat walking back into the restaurant. She hands Gracelynn her music box and Gio orders their pizza and fries as the ladies say their goodbyes.
“Do you seriously think I forgot you didn’t answer the question?” Gracelynn asks as soon as the waiter leaves again.
Gio curses inwardly – why couldn’t she just drop it? This woman remembers everything!
“Um, what was the question again, Gracie?”
“Funny. You think cute and forgetful will get you out of these questions, huh? You’re wrong though because I have the most remarkable memory.” She smiles widely and blinks her long eyelashes at him. Her eyes captivate him until she speaks again. “So, answer it already.”
His cheeks flush. “I’m sorry, Gracie. I’m going to tell the truth and hope it doesn’t freak you out. I thought about you all day. I told my sister about you because I think you’re a wonderful woman. You took my breath away.” The confession embarrasses him but he doesn’t know why. For God’s sake, he’s been married, had several girlfriends before, but no one ever affected him the way this woman does.
He reaches for her hand, liking the feeling of her skin touching his. “Gracelynn, please look at me. I’m sorry if I offended you. I barely know you and yet I feel like I’ve known you forever. Do you know what I mean?”
* * *
Gracelynn declares “Yes” before thinking. “I feel the same way. I don’t know what it is, but I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. You make me giddy. I have butterflies and feel like a teenager all over again.”
Gio smiles at that comment. He unclutches his hand.
Gracie looks down and fidgets in her seat. “I haven’t dated in a long time.”
“Doll, I’m in the same boat as you. I haven’t been serious about anyone in years.”
Gracelynn starts laughing. This God of a man hasn’t dated in years… yeah right. “So you’re a player then?” As soon as the questi
on falls from her lips, she knows it was a mistake.
Gio moves his body closer to hers and narrows his eyes. “I’m not a player, nor will I ever be one. Yes, I went out on a few dates, but who doesn’t? I never used and abused women the way you’re implying.” His deadly tone gives her chills. He leans back in the chair and crosses his arms over his chest, tightening up his dark grey suit jacket. He looks angry.
”I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed that.” Gracelynn feels upset that she has offended him. ”You’ve been nothing but kind to me and then I go around implying things…I’m sorry. I’m just not used to feeling attracted to people, and it’s making me act all weird. I haven’t thought about anyone this way since Angelo.”
“I’m sorry, too.” Gio uncrosses his arms and smiles at her. “I shouldn’t have been so rough with you. I just didn’t know how to say I’m not the typical man you’re expecting. The pig, the player, the controller. I want to get to know you and be your friend. I want to be a good man… a family man, who adores and loves someone special.” He looks at her, desire in his eyes. It’s as if they’re on their own little cloud and can see the sparks fly when they look at one another.
“Well, friend, what would you like to talk about?” Gracelynn asks.
“How about: what’s your favorite color? That’s not too personal, but it’s a start to get to know you better.”
“Well, take a guess. What do you think is my favorite color?” She wiggles her eyebrows up and down, playing with him for a bit. “Would it be black, like my socks, orange or maybe even dark blue like the sweater I’m wearing?”
“Well doll, I don’t actually think it’s any of those colors.”
She’s about to answer, when he interrupts her. “Stop! What do I get if I answer correctly? I would love to win a prize.”
Gracelynn chuckles. “Seriously? You want a prize for getting the correct answer? Is this typical friend behavior?” She laughs at his childlike manners.
“All I wanted was a hug or a kiss on the cheek.” He shrugs. “Do you think you can handle that?”
“Alright, Casanova, but no funny business other than that, got me?” Her reply is riddled with sarcasm, but secretly she enjoys the idea of him kissing her again.
“Well, are you going to answer the question, or are you stalling on purpose?” He lifts an eyebrow.
She reaches out to jab him in the arm, but he grabs her hand before she can hit him and places it on his lap. She breathes heavily and can’t believe he’s doing this to them, to her, in public. “Um, what do you think you’re doing?”
“Nothing. I didn’t want you to hit me. I figured if I put your hand here, you wouldn’t move and I can keep hold of it.”
Gracelynn swallows hard, trying to control her naughty thoughts.
”I know what you’re thinking,” he whispers. “I feel the same way.” He lightly brushes her cheek with his pointer finger.
She looks up to into his eyes and thinks she could finally move on and maybe try to have a relationship with someone else; but just as she’s about to continue their conversation, someone nearby clears their throat. “Excuse me.”
Gracelynn takes her eyes away from Gio and stares at the beautiful woman who has interrupted them. She looks like she’s in her late twenties or early thirties, wears a provocative red dress that enhances her breasts and clings to her perfect body. Yet the look on her face is a scowl.
Gracelynn stares back at the woman. “Can I help you?”
The woman doesn’t reply.
Gracie frowns and turns to Gio, who has red flush all over his face. Just great, he knows this woman.
Gio clears his throat. “Gracelynn, this is Mallory. My assistant from work,” he states in a not-too-friendly tone.
“Nice to meet you, Mallory. I’m Gracelynn.” She wonders if Gio and Mallory had a relationship in the past, or are having one at the moment, based on the way Mallory is looking at him. She’s never been a jealous woman, but she is at this very moment.
Mallory glares at her. “I need to talk some business with Mr. Antonetti, if you don’t mind. Could you give us a few minutes?”
Gracelynn doesn’t know what to do. This was obviously the woman she heard him talking to on his phone before he got back to their table. She’s jealous of this woman, knowing she can’t ever compare to the looks of her. “I should go get a box for this pizza anyways, it’s getting late. You two talk. Nice meeting you, Mallory, and thanks for the dinner conversations, Gio.” She leaves the table to find the waiter and ask him for a box for the pizza.
* * *
The moment Gracelynn is out of sight and won’t be able to pick up on what he says, Gio clenches his teeth in anger and lowers his voice.
“What the hell are you wearing, Mallory? How many times do I have to say, I’m not interested in you? Why would you dress like that just to drop off some documents?”
He wonders what Gracelynn felt about the whole situation. She rushed off in a hurry right after Mallory appeared, so obviously she wasn’t happy of it either.
“Where I’m going before or after work is none of your concern.” Mallory pulls up her nose. “But for your information, I’m going out with friends after I’m done here. It seems though that I’m the only one who got around to do some actual work today, considering you’ve been distracted.”
He glares at her. The bold tone she used on him makes him furious. “You’ll be wise to remember that I’m your boss. You won’t speak to me in that tone again. Are we clear?”
She nods her head in agreement. “However,” he continues, “since my blunt and bold assessment didn’t help, I’ll apologize and we can go from there, sound fair?”
She nods again and grabs her briefcase, pulling out her planner, his calendar, documents and a pen. She sits at the table with him and glares at him before saying anything. “In the past I tried to make a pass at you and you declined my offer,” she says.” I get that and I’ve moved on. I’m here on official business. Let’s move forward, shall we?”
He stares at her, dumbfounded. For once, he actually believes her.
“I’m sure you didn’t remember that I’m off on Monday. That’s why I needed your signature for a few important documents you left on your desk.” She grabs the documents and places them in front of him with little sticky tabs showing him where to sign.
“Oh and by the way, I wanted to remind you of your Management Conferences you have going on Thursday and Friday at your other hotel,” she says when he’s done signing.
He can’t believe he has forgotten all of this. He was so focused on Gracelynn that he forgot all his other responsibilities. Despite her odd behavior, Mallory is an excellent assistant and he wouldn’t be able to do his job without her.
She gathers all the documents he’s signed and places them back in her briefcase. She then hands him some more documents. “You’ll need these for the rest of the week at the conference.”
“Thanks for coming, Mallory. I appreciate your dedication to the hotel, and I hope you’ll have a fabulous vacation.”
She smiles and gets up from her seat. “No problem, Gio. This is what you pay me for. Glad to help.” She leaves, bidding him a good night.
After she’s gone, he looks around the restaurant for Gracelynn. Surprisingly, she’s still around, smiling at Antonio, their waiter, tucking her hair behind her ear and giggling like a school girl. The sight of them happy together makes his blood boil.
He leaves the table abruptly.
He swiftly walks up to the counter and possessively places his hand around Gracelynn’s waist.
She turns around to face him and smiles. “Hi, Gio. This is Antonio. We’ve been discussing food and the family business, while you were busy talking with your assistant.” Her voice is laced with sarcasm.
Gio grimaces at the sarcasm, clenching his teeth together in frustrat
ion. He needs to clear up any confusion now. “She’s only my assistant. Nothing more. She’ll never be anything but my assistant.”
As he informs Gracelynn of this, he notices Antonio looking rather uncomfortable.
“Excuse me,” the waiter says. “My break is almost over, and I best get back to work. Here’s your box for the pizza. Hope to see you again sometime.” With those words, he leaves them alone standing at the counter.
Giovanni keeps his left hand on the small of Gracelynn’s back and leads her back to their table. He puts the remaining pizza in the box without talking to her.
“Why don’t we head out now, Gracelynn? It’s seven and my assistant came to remind me of my Management Conference I’ve forgotten about. I will be gone until Friday,” he states sadly. “I’m sorry for Mallory ruining our evening. Let’s gather our items and continue our conversation on the way over to your car?”
She nods and they grab her stuff and head out to his jeep.
He opens her door for her and says, “My lady”, and allows her to sit and buckle up before shutting her door.
As he starts up the jeep, he notices her looking out of the window. “You’re beautiful, you know that, right?” he whispers.
It’s now her turn to look over at him and blush, something she often does around him. “Thank you, Gio. You’re not bad looking yourself, especially in a suit.”
That makes him laugh. “If you like the suit, baby, then I’ll wear them all the time for you.”
She chuckles and then looks back out of the window, clutching her necklace.
An unexpected sadness overwhelms Gio – he doesn’t want her to be sad, and to hold that necklace as if it’s the only thing that can save her from the sadness.
“What did you do today?” he asks, curiously.