Grace gulped not wanting to look in their direction but she would have to walk right past them if she got off where Joey parked. “Yeah, well bored or not they’re going out this weekend. Can you pull around the back? I’d rather walk in that way.”

Joey started up the car again, getting Sal’s attention. He turned to look at them and Grace glanced in the opposite direction as they pulled around back.

She was surprised to see Alex in the back room when she got there. “Hey. What are you doing here?”

“I had a class today and I needed to get something I left here. How are you, Gracie?”

“Good. How are the babies and your wife?”

“They’re all good.” He smiled looking every bit the proud daddy. “Coming home in a few days, hopefully. Is Sal here yet?”

Grace turned around to face the cabinet. “He’s outside with his girlfriend.”

“Sal doesn’t have a girlfriend.”

Grace rolled her eyes, glad she wasn’t facing him and tied the apron around her waist. “Well, girl friend then. Whatever she is, he’s out there with her.”

When he was quiet too long she turned to see if he was still there. He was grinning and staring at her. “What?”

“Does that bother you, Gracie?”

She felt her face warm and she turned back to the cabinet, taking extra long to adjust her things in there. “Does what bother me?”

“That he’s out there with a girl.”

“Of course not. Why would it?” God, she was so freaking obvious. If Alex noticed, it was only a matter of time before Sal did too.

“I dunno, sounded a little like it did. Kind of like when Sal told me about your date last night.”

Grace spun around. “My date?”

“Yeah, the guy that picked you up with the flowers. Is that your boyfriend? Or just a boy friend?”

She ignored the last question but feeling a little thrilled, had to ask, “Why would it bother Sal?”

Before Alex could respond, Sal walked in the door. “Hey, I was wondering what your truck was doing out there.”

“I’m just in and out. I had to grab something.” Alex glanced back at Grace as she avoided looking at Sal at all costs. “Gracie thought maybe that was your girlfriend you were talking to outside.”

Grace turned back to the cabinet, squeezing her eyes shut. Where were all the California earthquakes when you needed one?

Sal was quiet for a moment and she was sure Alex was grinning from ear to ear. “Nope. Not even close.”

“You see? Told you, Gracie.”

She didn’t bother turning around. She couldn’t. She knew her face was probably bright red so she simply nodded, hoping Alex would just drop it. No such luck.

“So I was asking her about the guy last night. Is he your boyfriend?”

Damn it. It was supposed to be Sal asking her not Alex. How was she supposed to turn this around now? “No he’s not. Just a friend.”

Sal took a seat at the desk. “Do all your friends bring you roses?” he asked.

Finally, Grace turned to face him then glanced at Alex, who was still smiling. “Do you two always ask your employees about their personal lives or am I just special?”

“No and yes,” Sal responded.

Alex waved. “I’m out. I’ll let you two work this out.”

Gracie fidgeted with her apron, still trying to figure out what was going on. She watched as Sal stood up and closed the door. “I don’t mean to pry, but I will since Alex brought it up. Who was that guy last night?”

This was it. Joey would kill her if she didn’t do this. Sal was obviously calling her out. “He’s a friend of my step-dad’s.” She cleared her throat. “Are you seeing that girl you were talking to outside?”

His eyebrow lifted and he smiled. “Melissa? No. She just got me tickets for the big game this weekend.” He leaned back in his chair apparently enjoying the quid-pro-quo. “So why’s your step-dad’s friend bringing you roses?”

She shrugged. “I think my mom gave him the idea I might be interested in him.” She stared him straight in the eye, feeling her heartbeat thud against her chest and trying desperately not to read too much into what was happening here, but it was impossible. “I won’t be seeing him again, but you’re going out with Melissa right? After the game.”

His expression went tense. “I’m not sure yet. I really don’t want to. She’s... well lets just say she’s a long story.” For the first time since she met him, he looked her up and down, unnerving her even further. “Where would your mom get the idea you were interested in that guy? He’s a little old for you isn’t he?”

Grace shifted her weight. “My mom gets a lot of crazy ideas. She’s a long story, too.” She bit her bottom lip debating on whether or not she should say what she wanted to and finally did, “Melissa sounded pretty convinced you’d be willing to go.” She glanced at her feet then back at him. “It sounds like fun.”

“Actually.” He paused for a moment, staring at her. “I may not even go to the game.”

Grace had to refrain from smiling. “But she got you tickets.”

“I can give them both to Romero and he can take Isabel,” he smiled. “What are you doing this weekend?”

She feigned a pout, feeling her heart speed up. “I work all weekend.”