“Charles Theodore,” my mother scolds me, “you need to get your tux fitted!” She smacks me on the arm, yet again, but this time with the tall menu on the table. Her lips are pressed into a thin line, but luckily I don’t have to respond.
“It’s a suit,” Ali says as she yanks the menu from Ma’s hands. “I don’t want tuxes.” She says the last line as if she’s said it a million times to our mother before and I know she has.
“I don’t understand you, girl,” Ma shakes her head, but there’s a playfulness to her tone.
“Can I get y’all anything to drink?” I hear James over my shoulder, and I turn to take him in. He shouldn’t have left the bar, but a quick look shows that it’s just the regulars. And it’s not like Maggie is going to come over here. Everyone knows Ma and Ali… and the rest of my family.
“No, no thank you,” Ma says and pushes off the table, “we’re having a late dinner down at Iron Grill.” An immediate sense of relief comes over me as I realize they’re leaving. “I just wanted to stop in and say hi to my baby boy.”
I can’t help the flaming blush rising to my cheeks. I’ll be sixty years old and she’ll still be calling me her baby boy, I know it. Ma and Ali stand first, Ali lamenting how she’s starving with all this stress and that I need to get my suit fitted. Immediately.
Thank the good Lord they’re leaving; standing up to give them both a quick farewell hug I finally feel relieved. And that’s when I see Grace walk in from the corner of my eye.
Fuck.
My heart hammers in my chest, and it beats even faster when Ali follows my line of sight and squeals.
“No way! Grace!” A wide smile accompanies Ali as she practically runs to greet a wide-eyed and surprised Grace a few feet from the entrance. Every red alarm bell goes off in my head. Ali’s got her in a hug before Grace knows what hit her.
With Ma in tow, I scold Ali, “Let the woman breathe Ali?”
“So-” my sister lets a now-catching-on Grace go when I stop beside them, feeling caught in a trap. It was a coup. I know it and I stare at both of them, my mother and my sister, letting them know as much, but neither looks at me, all of their attention is on my poor sweetheart. Shit.
“Hi there, Grace,” Ma’s voice is lower than usual as she takes Grace in. Her eyes travel down the blush-colored blouse Grace is wearing, and a smile finally ticks up on Ma’s face.
Damn right. There’s not a single reason Ma shouldn’t like Grace. She’s smart and sweet from head to toe. And looking to really settle down.
Ma should like that, even if I don’t.
“Hi,” Grace looks between the two of them, visibly swallowing as she moves the clutch in her hands back and forth and then stares at me with a pleading look.
“Just go along with it, sweetheart,” I whisper in her ear as I give her a small peck on the cheek, followed by a hug. All for show for my family. Just go along with it. Please. That little peck though. It does something to me. Something that lights up every nerve ending in me.
“Ali,” I say, looking at my sister and then Ma, “Ma, this is Grace.”
“It’s lovely to meet you.” Ma and Ali say almost at the same time before Grace can get a word out. The nervousness is coming off her in waves.
“Same to you,” Grace says in a gentle tone as she smiles shyly and bites down on her lip. “You both look lovely.”
“So like I started to say,” Ali says quickly, “I know we have to go,” she looks at Ma, giving her a look that says, ‘we saw her, she’s real, now let’s go and not scare her off,’ and then back at Grace, “but I was wondering...” Her voice gets a little higher as she sways back and forth and looks like she’s holding her breath for a minute.
Is Ali nervous? What the hell does she have up her sleeve?
“Would you like to be my bridesmaid?” Ali says quickly, and I swear all the blood drains from my face. My sister has lost her damn mind. Grace’s pouty lips drop open slightly in surprise and before she can get an answer out, the words rush out of my sister’s mouth, “It’s a small, intimate wedding. Low commitment. Really not a huge deal in terms of setting things up or anything.” Her hands wave animatedly in the air as she continues, “You don’t have to even get a dress. The girls are all wearing their own thing. I just really would love it if you would be in it. You mean something to my brother and that means the world to me.”
Grace’s expression stays completely the same with the exception of her brows raising. I’d laugh if I wasn’t mortified.
“It’s less than two weeks away-” I try to cut in and give Grace an excuse.
“Nonsense,” Ali says with a hurt look. “There’s nothing to it.” She shakes her head and gives Grace those puppy dog eyes that let her get away with murder growing up.
“I don’t have time to really…” Grace swallows thickly and tries to say no, politely. I don’t know why that makes a tinge of hurt settle in my chest. Of course she should say no. That picture we sent them was a lie.
“It would mean the world to me,” Ali repeats and reaches out and grabs Grace’s hand, which Grace holds back. “I know this seems out of the blue, but it’s just that Charlie hasn’t had anyone serious in his life in so long and I really want to welcome you into the family. The numbers are uneven, too. Michael has an extra groomsman.”
I close my eyes, completely embarrassed and mortified.
It’s quiet for a moment, but as I slowly open my eyes I see Grace slowly nodding her head. “I am honored and would love to.”
“Yay!” Ali squeals with excitement again, jumping up and down while hanging on Grace’s shoulder. Shit, I feel like an asshole for dragging Grace into this. “I have a dress appointment next week if you want to come, you have to meet all my friends; they’re dying to meet you. It’s going to work out perfectly. This was meant to be. I just know it was.”
Before I can tell my sister how ridiculous she is, she’s dragging Ma out of the bar and as much as I want to tell them how crazy this is, I’d rather have them out of here as soon as possible. Grace stands in place, holding onto the clutch like it’s going to save her life.
“Lovely to meet you both,” Grace bids them farewell tucking a strand of loose hair from her bun behind her ear.
“It was nice to meet you too, Grace,” Ma responds.
“I’ll see you soon, Grace! Charlie give her my number,” and with that last demand, called out over her shoulder, they're gone and I’m left alone with Grace.
Her mouth hangs open a moment in complete shock.
“You alright?” I ask her warily.
“I just… did I really just agree to be your sister’s bridesmaid?” Blinking rapidly, Grace looks between me and the now closed doors to the bar.
A smile forces its way onto my face as I see Grace look around her like she just got swindled.
“You did,” I tell her easily.
“Holy shit,” she says with a smile. “I need a drink… you’re buying this time.”
A chuckle leaves me, rough and low and I follow her over to the bar.
“You got it, sweetheart.”
Given how my family can be, my sweetheart handled herself pretty well, but I don’t know how we’re getting out of this one…
Grace
It’s late, definitely after five o'clock already. Darn it. Glancing into the cubicles in the office, I find them empty. I slide my headphones off and hit pause on the playlist that I listen to when I really need to focus.
I had a feeling it was getting late, but not this late. Flicking my gaze to the clock on my computer screen, I confirm it’s almost six. Yep, it’s past quitting time for most of my coworkers and now I’m here all alone. Physically separating myself from my work and letting out a long exhale, I push myself back from my desk.
I spent the day working up several new ads for a health food company who wanted the whole package. From billboards to Google ads and social media placements. I’m not going to lie; I think they’re going to love them all. Their br
anding and messaging is solid. Still, it’s always a good idea to sleep on it, and look at it with fresh eyes the next day. It’s already six anyway; I can email the files for approval tomorrow.
When I stand up I have to crack my neck and back I’m so sore. And then I try to down the rest of my coffee but I find it empty. Oh how I wish Tracey were here now with a hot cup to keep me from falling over. I probably need some water to balance out the crapload of caffeine I put in my body today.
I head to the small kitchen to the right of the elevators, where they keep a filtered water cooler and stumble on Diane, who’s talking with Elaine and Karan, two coworkers from a couple of floors up.
“Oh! Hey,” I say, tossing my coffee cup in the trash can next to them. “I didn’t realize anybody was still here.”
“I saw you at your desk, but you had your headphones on,” says Karan, a pretty girl of Middle Eastern descent. She has a bit of British in her accent, though it’s slowly fading. “I thought it would be better not to disturb you.”
“Yeah,” I admit sheepishly. “Thank you; I appreciate it. I banged out three packages today and I’m wiped.
“Elaine was just telling us about getting hit on at the bar,” Diane says. “Right, Elaine?”
Elaine is the new girl at our company. She has dark hair and porcelain skin, which turns bright red at Diane’s statement.
“Well, I wouldn’t say hit on,” she stammers. “I was just saying, a guy I’ve liked for a while talked to me for a long time last night.”
“Oooh,” I let the word drag on, moving past them and grabbing a paper cup, “That sounds like a win of a night. How did it end? You get his number?”
Before Elaine can do anything other than shake her head, Diane teases, “I hear that our Grace got asked out by that hot bartender Charlie.”
I freeze with the empty cup in my hand. Everyone who knows Diane at all has been introduced to Mac's, and by association, Charlie. I shoot Diane a look as I fill the glass with water, but she ignores it. I like to keep some things private, but nothing is private with Diane.
“He asked you out?” Elaine says. “You have to tell us all about it!” She’s far too excited, but it only makes me giddy. He did kiss me on the cheek. I nearly blurt it out, but feel a blush rise instead and take a drink of the cold water rather than speak.
“Yeah, 'cause Charlie is dreamy,” Karan says, practically drooling.
I laugh trying to shake it off, “It’s not that big of a deal.” It really isn’t. “I’m just doing him a favor really.”
“Spill!” Diane says. “We all want to know how you managed to snare him.”
My gaze narrows at the manner in which Diane just made that statement. How could a girl like me snare a man like him? Insecurity steeps through every inch of me slowly. I didn’t. I couldn’t. That’ s how. I’ll be damned if that doesn’t hurt to admit. I won’t; I take another sip instead, pretending that the truth doesn’t feel like stepping into a cold ice bath.
“Don’t say it like that,” Karan says to Diane before turning back to face me. “Jeez. She didn’t mean it like that, Grace.”
“Right,” I chuckle and sip my water again, it’s nearly gone already. With a careless shrug from Diane and a, “I’m just curious,” response from her, the hurt turns to anger. I’m pissed at Diane, but there’s no reason to start a fight over something so small. Jealous much? My inner voice snarks. I let the tension out of my shoulders as I grip the cup with both hands and lean against the counter.
“I’d still like to hear,” Elaine says, blushing. “I mean, Charlie is grade A hot.”
“So tell us,” Diane commands.
“He invited me to his sister’s wedding,” I say. “It’s not really a date—”
The girls howl appreciatively, which makes me smile. That bit of happiness coming back.
“He invited you to a wedding because he’s trying to tell you how he feels!” Elaine says, excited. Elaine’s blush is contagious, finding its way to my face. She’s so sweet and is constantly reading those romance novels with hot men on the covers during her lunch break. She’s a romantic at heart, but I like the way she thinks.
“No, he invited her because he knows that weddings are an amorous atmosphere, and he wants to get in her pants.” Karan corrects with a growing smile.
“Ohh, psshh,” I say. “He needed to get his family off his back, so he said he was bringing someone. And then he invited me. I’m telling you, it’s decidedly not amorous and if he wanted to get into my pants he didn’t have to go through all that.”
“So you wouldn’t mind if another guest put the moves on him, then?” Diane asks pointedly.
“I… It’s not like…” I say. My body stiffens. What the hell has gotten into Diane? I swear some days I wonder why she even talks to me.
“Of course she would mind!” Karan protests for me. “Have you seen Charlie? Because he’s got amazing biceps, and an ass that won’t quit. Give the girl a chance to get some, Diane!”
“I’m just asking,” Diane says, putting her hands up. “Speaking of that ass, I’m planning to go to Mac's tonight to see it in action. You in?”
“Definitely,” Karan says.
“Sure!” Elaine adds.
“Umm…” I say, unsure. “You know, I’m just not feeling it tonight, guys.” The idea of Diane anywhere around Charlie sends that spike of anger back. I don’t need to see that, not with how tired I am and all these feelings that bubble up every time I hear his name.
“Are you sure? Your man will be there,” Karan says with a twinkle in her eyes.
“She said she’s not feeling it,” Diane cuts in. “So let’s let her get back to work.”
“If you’re sure…” Karan says.
“Totally,” I say. “You guys have fun.” I don’t think I can handle being around Charlie right now. It’s definitely an uneven relationship in terms of how much we like each other, and I can already see myself getting hurt. Neither of us mentioned his mother and sister after they left. It’s like we’re pretending none of it happened and we’re just our flirty normal selves. But there was that kiss.
Charlie
Eight o’clock passes.
Nine o’clock has come and gone.
My shift is done. I told them all I was heading out early, but here I am, still waiting. I was hoping to take Grace out to dinner. Somewhere other than here to make up for my sister and her antics.
But she hasn’t showed. She didn’t come in last night either, even though some of her coworkers did. I have a sick feeling in my gut telling me something’s wrong.
I finally give in and reach into my pocket for my phone to text her.
“You alright?” Maggie asks me as the denim rubs against my fingers as I pull the phone out of my back pocket.
“Yeah, fine,” I answer as she sets an order of wings down in front of Mickey. The sound of the plate hitting the table forces me look up at her. She smiles as she scoots the plate closer to him and addresses me.
“You don’t look fine. Go home.”
I stare at her, but she doesn’t back down. “I’m going, just making sure a friend’s not on her way.”
“A friend?” Maggie’s eyes light up. “Your little Grace?”
I don’t like how she says it with that teasing tone. As if she knows something I don’t.
“Yeah, her name’s Grace.” I hold her gaze, but Maggie’s not affected in the least.
“You go on and message her then,” she says, then leaves a bit slower and a bit happier than she came. Out of habit, I take a look around and notice Mickey looking up at me with a smile. It occurs to me that word is probably getting around about the two of us. Shit.
I shift my weight and look down at the phone. This wasn’t meant to be anything. She’s just a sweet girl to flirt with. We don’t want the same things. That last statement resonates and makes me feel like an asshole. What the hell am I doing? I almost put the phone back in my pocket. If Grace wanted to see me, she’d be
here.
Almost. I almost don’t message her. But fuck that, I want to see her.
I took the first night off that I’ve had in a long damn time to see her. Maybe I didn’t text her, since I assumed she’d come in like she usually does, but I have the balls to ask her. Right fucking now.
My body heats as I type in the message.
Missing you, sweetheart. I’m getting off work and wondering where you are.
I regret sending it pretty much as soon as it goes on the screen. It’s not like she’s obligated to be here. I let out a heavy sigh, hating that all of this feels so suffocating. It’s been five years since I… I don’t even know what I’m doing. Asking her on a date, I guess. A real one, not just to be my fake date for a wedding.
Sorry Charlie, I went home tonight.
A frown tips my lips down, and that sick feeling comes back to me. I clear my throat and type back without thinking.
I was hoping I’d see you. Now I don’t have a dinner date. :( Again, I immediately regret my decision. A sad face? Really? Throwing my head back I grip my phone like I want to strangle it. What is it with this woman?
A dinner date? Or a fake dinner date?
I thought the food would be real… I’m playful in my text back, trying to keep the conversation lighthearted.
You make me smile. I can see her doing just that. Smiling as she reads the message.
Good, you should be smiling. You’re too sweet not to be smiling.
It feels easy flirting with Grace. It always has. My chest feels light as I wait for her response.
I’m sorry. Not tonight.
Another date? I question. I don’t think she’d be one to do that. She’d tell me. But I ask her without thinking. I need to quit it with that.
Nope. Just a lot of work to catch up on and I’m exhausted.
I think about asking her if she’s seeing anyone, and making this thing between us official. But then I remember all the stories she’s told me about her dates and looking for a man to settle down with. Clingy. I’m not ready for all that. I could at least ask her out to dinner though. Just to tell her thank you for putting up with my sister. Maybe sneak in another kiss.
Knocking Boots Page 8
