Making You Mine (The Moreno Brothers 5)

  Those last two words coupled with the twinkle in her eyes had a certain connotation he’d heard all too many times. Alex excused himself when he got a call. The idea wasn’t a bad one, but he doubted he could bluff the entire night. Not that he thought admitting the truth now would revoke the invitation.

  He pretended to consider it and continued to make small talk when he got the distinct feeling he was being watched. He remembered Melissa would be stopping by and he wondered if she was already there somewhere. Casually, he scanned the restaurant when he noticed Grace staring in his direction from behind the bar. She specifically stared at Tracy who was still holding his hand. The moment her eyes met his, she averted her stare and walked away from where she’d been standing.

  ~*~

  “Good job today, Gracie,” Alex smiled, putting his hand over the receiver on his phone.

  “Thank you.” She smiled back.

  She’d walked in the back office at the end of her shift to get her things, and overheard him talking to his wife. He was so sweet and forever worrying about her well-being, Grace couldn’t stand it. Why couldn’t she ever meet a guy like that?

  He winked at her and continued with his conversation. “I know, baby, but the doctor says you have to… ”

  Grace sighed. She was so glad he’d been there the day she showed up to actually talk to Sal. Knowing what she knew now, she’d still be out of a job if Alex hadn’t been there. She thought Sal had finally started warming up to her Friday night, when he apologized for his behavior, but today he was back and forth frtiland forom sweet to his ornery self. Even when he showed her around she couldn’t shake that feeling that he just wasn’t comfortable with her. He obviously still had his reservations about her.

  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 gay!

  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 heht He sa’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 gay?”

  Grace laughed. “Not even close.”

  “I was gonna say.” Taylor licked his finger. “Your ass better not be checking out her gay 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 gay. 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.

  “Actually no. Alex, not the one Joey saw, couldn’t be sweeter and he spends most his time checking up on his pregnant wife,” she smiled. “He’s like a big muscular teddy bear. He was a little smug the day I met him, but I wouldn’t call him arrogant.” She shrugged. “But then he’s the one that took a chance on me while Sal… didn’t even give me the time of day, so maybe I’m a little biased.”

  “Oh, he must be the one I saw when I was there. The guy was huge,” George said.

  “Yeah that’s Alex. I haven’t met their youngest brother, he runs the Moreno’s on the Marina with his wife, but I’ve seen pictures in the back room. He’s just as good looking as these two. He’s also happily married but holding off on theen g off o baby making because they just opened the new restaurant last year. At least that’s what the girls at work say.”

  She turned to George. “Sal on the other hand, the only one still sin
gle, is as expected—a chick magnet. Just today, he had two all over him. From what the girls tell me they’ve seen him with plenty of girls—none he ever sticks with for long. But I haven’t really picked up on any arrogance.”

  George chuckled. “Smart guy. If it were me, I’d be working my way down the line, too.”

  Grace smiled though she wasn’t feeling it.

  “Oh, but you have to see him, Taylor,” Joey gushed. “You’ll just die.”

  Taylor rolled his eyes. “I’ll have to check this guy out now.”

  They talked a while longer about the Morenos then thankfully, they moved on to another subject, deciphering the movie’s ending. After a while of that, no one agreed. Finally, they called it a night and Joey drove Grace and Rose home.

  “They’re always so much fun,” Rose said as Grace climbed in bed next to her. “Taylor is so hot, I can hardly stand it!”

  Grace smiled and even as she lay there thinking about her evening with Taylor and Joey, thoughts of work came back to her, most notably, Sal. She didn’t care if he didn’t like her so much as she disliked the tension she felt when he was around. Alex had asked if it was okay if he scheduled her a full forty hours this week. She could definitely use the money but it would be cutting into her schoolwork time. Still, she agreed. There was no way she was passing up the extra cash. Her plans hadn’t changed. Save up and move in with Joey and Taylor as soon as possible.

  ~*~

  Sunday evening Sal had stopped by his parents’ on his way home. He hadn’t had a chance to tell his dad about the meeting until then. As expected, he wasn’t happy about it. “I don’t want them changing shit.”

  Sal assured him he wouldn’t sign or even think about signing anything with anyone without checking with him and his mom first. His mother hadn’t been in the best of moods either. Her plans to throw Alex and Valerie a huge baby shower were spoiled with the news that Valerie would be confined to her bed from now until the babies came. She was carrying the babies too low now and at this point, the doctors didn’t think it was wise that she be walking around if she expected to carry to term. Alex had his hands full, trying to keep his energetic wife following doctor’s orders.

  Sal’s younger and only sister, Sofia, walked in from the back door. She was in her running gear and pulled her earphones out when she saw Sal.

  “Hey, big brother.” She smiled, hugging him at arm’s length. “I’m all sweaty.”

  Sal leaned over and kissed her on the forehead anyway. “How’s it been over there?”

  Sofia had been helping out at Angel’s restaurant for the past week. They’d been short-staffed but she’d be back at Alex’s this week. Not a moment too soon either, since Sal could tell already, Alex’s dt., Alexays were numbered. It would only be so long before Alex couldn’t stand not being home with Valerie to monitor her every move. As it was, he was on the phone with her every ten minutes.

  “Busy,” she said, grabbing a water out of the fridge. “They’re gonna have to hire more help. I heard we got a new bartender. Is he any good?”

  Sal almost frowned. He’d managed to squash any thoughts of Grace at least for a few hours. “He’s a she,” he said. “And yeah, she’s good—fast.”

  After draining nearly half the bottle of water, Sofia wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “Really? Good, that’s what we needed.”

  He was at his parents’ house until well after nine. So many things crowded his mind. Another meeting with the investors was on the agenda this week. Sal had to decide if he was going to go forward with this or go a different route. In Valerie’s delicate state, he wouldn’t be able to count on Alex for much, soon. He was looking at taking the restaurant on full time at least until Valerie had the babies. There was no way he could commit to anything that would take him away from the restaurant until after the babies were born. Even then, he couldn’t imagine Alex wanting to leave Valerie and his babies too soon.

  Then there was the matter of getting more qualified help as soon as possible. He’d want to be there if Angel was going to do any hiring. That guy was worse than Alex when it came to being soft. It amazed Sal how two hard asses like his brothers could be so soft when it came to their families and employees.

  Most annoyingly on his mind? Grace. He still didn’t get it. He was a grown ass man with too many plans to be thinking about this. How was it that this little twenty-one year old culinary student trying to prove herself to him was beginning to get under his skin?

  CHAPTER 6

  Every day Grace went into the restaurant, she prepared herself for the unease she felt being around Sal. She wondered how long it would be, before she was comfortable around him. She’d been off Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday had been fairly painless. Sal had spent a lot of time out of the restaurant. He’d had a meeting and Thursday he spent at Angel’s restaurant on the Marina interviewing potential hires.

  Friday she came in and again, was overcome with the same disappointment of not seeing him. Something she refused to admit to anyone, not her sister, not even Joey or Taylor. She felt like a silly schoolgirl waiting for the cute guy to show up to class. This was her boss for heaven’s sake. A boss that hadn’t even wanted to hire her. A man she’d labeled a jerk.

  They’d since hired another bartender and a new cook. She watched the cook, who was not yet head chef, as he prepared his dishes. He didn’t seem very confidquocent, at times it even seemed that his nerves got the best of him and he’d begin to panic. Really? She’d been passed up for this?

  Grace was busy making three margaritas when she glanced up and nearly spilled what she was pouring. Sal walked in wearing a black on black business suit—everything black including his tie. He looked amazing—more than amazing. Jesus, she felt like those shallow girls in her pastry class. She didn’t even realize she was gawking until Melanie nudged her. “Take a number,” she giggled, handing her a towel to clean what she’d splattered.

  Feeling her face flush she took the towel and tried sounding genuinely confused. “What do you mean?”

  “Are you kidding me? Sal gets that same reaction from all women. Isn’t he mesmerizing though? If I wasn’t already engaged, I swear I’d be all over that.”

  Grace chewed on the inside of her cheek. Something about that second statement made her feel so ridiculously insignificant. She didn’t want to get lumped in as one his groupies. So he was good looking. Big deal. She’d been around plenty of good looking guys. This was the man she worked for. It was completely inappropriate to be gaping at him that way, not to mention embarrassing as hell.

  Trying not to show her agitation about having been so obvious, she wiped her hands on a wet towel. “I don’t look at him like that.”

  “Oh really? Could’ve fooled me.”

  Grace felt her face flush again but refused to concede. “He just looks different today. That’s all.”

  “He must have a date or something.”

  A sudden heat now accompanied Grace’s flushed face. She placed the margaritas on the tray Julie had left on the counter. “Damn,” Julie said, as she walked up to take the tray. She was staring in Sal’s direction. Grace busied herself with the next order of drinks. “I wonder who the lucky girl is tonight.” Julie stood there for a moment blatantly staring his way. “Oh, here he comes. Back to work.”

  She grabbed the tray and walked away. Melanie had walked over to the other side of the bar to take someone’s order, leaving Grace alone. The discomfort she normally felt around Sal had spiked to a new height.

  He was still a few feet away and she could already smell him. He wore the most alluring cologne she’d ever smelled and she closed her eyes for a second, taking it in.

  “Hey, Grace. Has it been busy?”

  Unwilling to take him in, in this close proximity, she pretended to be engrossed in the drink she was preparing, even bent over to grab something out of the refrigerator just to avoid looking at him. “Off and on.” She indulged herself with a quick glance, regretting it almost instan
tly. As good looking as he’d been even on her first day when he arrived suited up from his meeting, today just wasn’t fair. Something about the all black suit brought out his amazing eyes out and those heavy lashes taunted her. “You know,” she cleared her throat annoyed that her stupid voice that nearly gave out on her, “…how it is. They come in herds.”

  “Let me go tell Alex I’m here so he can take off. I’ll be back, I have something for you.”

  He finally had her full attention. lu attentNot that he hadn’t from the moment he walked in but she allowed herself now to really look at him. He smiled that beautiful smile of his and began to walk away. “I’ll be back.”

  Panicked and not having a clue what he might have for her, she rushed over to the bowl with the peppermint candies. She stuck one in her mouth then glanced at herself in the mirror behind the bar. Of course, she had one strand of hair sticking straight up like a cockatoo. Damn it. Why hadn’t anybody told her?

  Grace was still fixing her hair when she heard Alex’s voice coming from the hallway to the back. Sal was with him when they turned the corner and walked toward her. She grabbed a towel and began cleaning off the bar area diligently. “I’m outta here, Gracie. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Alex waved at Melanie and said his goodbyes to a few of the other servers before walking out. Sal walked over to her, holding a baseball cap. He handed it to her as soon as he was close enough. “This is yours.”

  She took it, examining it. It had the restaurant’s logo embroidered on it and the phrase, Slam-dunking for over 30 years, around the back. She glanced up at him confused.

  “March Madness is going on right now. We get a lot of people in here, watching the games. So on game days all the bartenders wear these. I’m ordering jerseys with the logos as well.” He flashed that killer smile. “Team Moreno’s.”