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She walked out to the parking lot where Joey said he’d be waiting. She felt bad that Joey was chauffeuring her around, but he insisted it wasn’t out of his way. The gym where he’d started working out wasn’t too far from the restaurant. Plus, he said there was no way he nor Taylor would let her take the bus home in the evening. She smiled, thinking about it. She did have guys who worried about her. Now if only she could find one who wasn’t g*y!
As she turned the corner to the parking lot, she saw Sal engaged in what appeared to be another amorous conversation with a different girl. Grace focused on Joey who sat in his car waiting for her. No way was she getting caught staring at Sal and his girl again like she had earlier. She felt so stupid. She’d just been curious. Not only was Sal completely out of her league, older, wealthy, beautiful and from what Melanie had told her, he’d just earned his master’s in business—he also didn’t like her. Grace had wanted to see what it took to impress a man like Sal. He seemed smitten at the time, but obviously not enough because here he was already, with another lovely candidate vying for his attention.
Grace opened the door and got in Joey’s car.
“I can’t believe you get to look at that papacito all day long. You lucky girl you.”
Grace shrugged. “What good is looking?”
“Hmm, do I detect something in that tone?”
“No you don’t.” She put her seatbelt on as they drove by Sal and his girl. Sal’s eyes were on Joey then he glanced her way. She waved and he waved back. “He’s my boss, Joey. And remember I told you I don’t think he likes me.”
“Still?”
“Yes, still. I’ve only worked with him two days. He wasn’t here yesterday.”
The disappointment she’d felt when she realized he wouldn’t be there at all yesterday, had come as a surprise. While she felt so much more at ease, knowing she wouldn’t have his scrutinizing eyes there, his apology Friday night had left her hopeful that she’d be a little closer to showing him what she was made of in the kitchen. Unfortunately, the vibe she’d picked up several times from him today was still a negative one.
“He’ll come around, sweetie. You’ll see. There is no way anybody can be around you for too long without falling in love.”
Grace didn’t know about all that. But she knew better than to argue with Joey.
“So you have to come over tonight, Grace. George is coming over with some old-ass movie he says we have to watch. I’m gonna be dying.”
George was Taylor’s much older ex-boyfriend. Grace had only met him once but Joey had told her all about him. She still didn’t get how Joey could be okay with his boyfriend’s ex hanging around. But according to Joey he was fine with it. George was thirty-five and into men his own age now. Taylor and George had been friends before they got together and vowed to stay friends even though their relationship hadn’t worked out.
“What movie is it?”
“Jacob’s Ladder.” Joey made a face. “He said he’s seen it many times and still doesn’t get it. We made fun of him so now he’s challenging us to watch and see if we get it. From what he described, it sounds pretty freaky.”
That sounded interesting to Grace. “Can we pick up Rosie? I’m not sure if my mom is home and I’d hate for her to be alone with that pig.”
“Of course.”
Grace texted Rose to be ready and they picked her up. After watching the movie, which Grace thought she got, until the very end, they ate some of Joey’s carrot bread. It was one of his specialties and absolutely delicious. He and Taylor planned on opening up a bakery when he was done with school. He’d made her the most fabulous cake for her twenty-first birthday. As far as Grace was concerned, baking and creating masterpieces was Joey’s calling.
They all stood around in the tiny kitchen oohing and aahing over the delicious cake. “Oh my God, Taylor. You have to check out Grace’s boss. He’s a walking wet dream.”
Taylor shot Joey a look. “Is he g*y?”
Grace laughed. “Not even close.”
“I was gonna say.” Taylor licked his finger. “Your ass better not be checking out her g*y boss.”
Joey nudged him as he walked by toward the fridge. Joey and Taylor couldn’t look more different. Joey was taller. His hair was black and he wore it very clean cut. He was the pretty boy of the two. Always perfectly ironed and matching.
Taylor had long dark blonde dreadlocks, usually pulled back in a ponytail like he had it now. Most of the time he went barefoot and he had a permanent five o’clock shadow. While Joey’s eyes were as dark as coal, Taylor had the most amazing green eyes.
One thing that Grace finally got used to, was the way Taylor would flirt with her outrageously, even in front of Joey. Obviously, he was g*y. But he had these bedroom eyes that could just melt you, male or female and he knew it too. He loved talking to her in this sensual way, always saying things with double meaning and watching her squirm.
“I’ve been to Moreno’s. Good food and yes I’ve seen the eye candy that runs the place but what’s it like working for them?” George asked, taking a seat at the small kitchen table. “The arrogance must be endless.”
Clean cut pretty boys were hands down Taylor’s type. George had clean cut and pretty boy written all over him. Taylor did his internship at a radio station where George was an executive. That’s how they met.
