Chapter FortyGrace
Chapter Forty
Grace
“ E mail me and I’ll give you a tour and demonstration when you come to town,” Dr. Harlowe, the winner of the big science award, told me, holding up her phone.
“That sounds wonderful, thank you. Congratulations again on the award.” I held up mine to receive her information. She was with PIIP, a large particle physics research organization. We had a fascinating conversation.
I went to find Spencer. The awards and dinner had finished, but dessert had yet to be served, and people mingled and danced.
The food was delicious, the entire evening entertaining and joyous.
Not to mention Marcos’ papi, the actor, Antonio, had been the host, and led us through a luscious romp of science and whimsy.
This wasn’t some rubber-chicken, stuffy academic affair.
“Are you enjoying yourself, my good doctor?” Spencer stood at my elbow, a vision in a perfectly fitting tux–his tie and pocket square matching the red of my dress.
“I am. This is wonderful. Thank you for bringing me.” I hummed a little. My whole day had been amazing. Wes made me breakfast. Evan and I spent the afternoon at a fancy spa. Now I was here. I felt like a princess. This dress. The shoes. The necklace.
All hail Grace, Princess of Math.
When I’d taken the long, tight, sparkly gown and matching wrap out, I’d been afraid I’d be overdressed. This was a science dinner, not prom. But I fit in perfectly.
Throughout the entire evening, Spencer had been doting and attentive, lavishing me with compliments and introducing me to so many incredible people. Not to mention hearing all the amazing things people were accomplishing across the sciences here was inspiring.
“Dr. Harlowe wants me to come visit and see her particle cutter.” I grinned at the thought, hoping that one day I’d have the chance.
“I attend conferences out there, so perhaps you can accompany me. Just think, one day soon you might be speaking at conferences or at dinners like this. There are no limits as to what you can accomplish,” he told me, taking my arm, like he’d been doing all night.
My breath hitched as his leather scent washed over me. If he kept saying things like that to me, I was going to accept the job at his company simply because I was going to believe that I could actually do it.
I eyed the couples on the dance floor. The dancing here wasn’t what I was used to. It was a cross between ballroom and something from a Regency movie. Different songs had different dances, and everyone seemed to know them. It was exquisite to behold.
“Would you care to dance?” Spencer held out his hand.
“I… I don’t know how.” I shook my head.
“Follow my lead.” His hand remained outstretched.
“Don’t hate me if I step on your foot?” I took his hand in mine.
He led me onto the floor in the center of the sumptuously decorated ballroom. “I could never, my good doctor. It’s simple counting for this one. One-two-three-four. ”
We glided across the dance floor, turning and whirling, four-four time, and almost a fox-trot.
I stepped on his foot. My cheeks warmed. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine, just relax and follow me. Now, leap.” He picked me up, turned, and put me down. With one of his hands lingering on my hip as the other hand took mine, we were swept back up in the movements, the music.
After a couple of passes on the floor, I’d mostly figured it out.
“You might not know it at first, but with some basic instruction you can do anything, my good doctor.” He beamed as if I’d made a scientific breakthrough.
His words made me breathless. Or perhaps it was the dancing.
When the song finished, he led me over to the well-decorated and fully-appointed beverage table and got me something to drink.
“You looked like you were having fun out there.” Jett joined us, getting a drink of his own. His long, dark hair was tied back, but not like he wore it when he went to work. He looked very handsome in his tux.
It had been nice spending time with him yesterday when we’d been moving Rose’s things.
Antonio Caruso approached us, looking dapper in a red tux and a black pocket square. He wasn’t alone, the rest of Marcos’ dads were with him, including the big growly alpha–the one that looked familiar, but I couldn’t quite place.
They were all dressed smartly in dark tuxes with red ties. The ex-military looking one with the beard looked like he needed some sunglasses and a big gun.
“I don’t mean to be forward, but we have met, haven’t we?” Antonio asked me, oozing charm, taking my fingertips and giving the back of my hand the barest of kisses like we were in an old-timey movie.
It was an odd gesture since I hadn’t quite figured out handshaking in this world.
Antonio’s amber eyes met mine. “I feel like I could never forget someone as breathtaking as you, Bonita. Every time I looked at your table, I nearly forgot my lines.”
“We have,” I replied, resisting the urge to giggle. “I’m Grace. We met at the movie theater over the weekend. I was with Marcos’ friend Riley.”
His alphas looked amused, like it wasn’t uncommon for him to be silly like this. I motioned Brennan over. He gave me a confused look but joined us.
“Um, these are Marcos’ dads,” I introduced.
“Oh. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Brennan Morris,” Brennan said. “This is my husband, Jett Morris.”
“I’m Spencer Thanukos. We’re part of Riley’s family,” Spencer added. “Let me introduce you to the one and only Dr. Grace Ellington.”
My heart skipped a beat every time he said things like that. Like I was some exceptional person and not some woman who’d barely gotten her PhD and couldn’t even remember how she’d ended up in another world.
“Of course.” Antonio smiled. “It is so nice to meet Riley’s family. I’m Antonio, this is Carl,” who was the unassuming one I’d first met as dad , “and my alphas, Ivan,” the large military looking one, dado , “and Darnell,” the big growly one, pops .
“Thank you so much for helping Marcos study for the math test,” Carl added.
I’d talked to him when he’d dropped Marcos off on Saturday at Wes’ party.
“Anytime. Marcos is such a wonderful young man,” I told them. It had been interesting looking through their textbook.
“Would you honor me with a dance, Grace?” the growly alpha, Darnell, asked.
Was it okay to dance with some random alpha?
“Go dance with Sergeant Hawthorne, he outranks me. I’ll dance with you next, promise,” Jett told me, giving me a little push.
Sergeant Hawthorn. Of course. From the police station. No wonder he looked familiar. Just out of place, because he’d been in uniform, and I’d had a fresh concussion and had been trying to figure out what was going on.
He didn’t touch my hand, but my wrap-covered shoulder, and we went back out to the dance floor, where he put his other hand on my hip. This was a different dance, and we were close to each other. Like before, he smelled relaxing.
“Sergeant, it’s nice to see you again. Thank you, for being so kind to me at the station,” I said, glad to have finally placed him.
“So, you are my Jane Doe. I’d been wondering.
Detective Lawson said that they’d found your alpha, and your case had been moved to another detective.
Which one is he? I’m guessing Fade is a nickname?
” He maneuvered me through the crowd of people, a few nodding and murmuring Sergeant, as we whirled by.
“It is. Wes isn’t here. But you met him at the theater. He and Evan, Riley’s brother, are at home tonight,” I replied. Sergeant Hawthorne was an excellent dancer. This was a different type of dance, more akin to a quick waltz, the steps easy to follow if I paid attention.
Sergeant Hawthorne nodded. “You’re all right? You got your memories back?”
“Mostly. And I’m fine. Thank you.” It was nice that he worried about me, however, his interest also made me nervous because the case was still open. The last thing I needed was for Wes to get in more trouble.
While I was still so curious about how I got to the park, I wasn’t sure I wanted the police to figure that out either.
Finishing our dance, we returned to the punch table, where Antonio, Jett, and Ivan discussed boxing, and Spencer and Carl chatted about investments.
The moment they left, Brennan was at my side, expression somewhere between concern and a scowl. “What did he say to you? You had quite the conversation.”
“I’m sorry, but I do believe Jett owes me a dance.” Grabbing Jett’s hand, I pulled him onto the floor. I was having too nice of an evening to deal with Brennan’s obstinate bullshit.
Jett seamlessly maneuvered us onto the dance floor. This one was a little more complicated.
“Don’t worry, I know all of these. Hazard of being Brennan’s permanent date,” he assured.
“Sergeant Hawthorne remembered me from when I was brought into the station. He wanted to make sure I was safe, and I assured him I was. That’s all,” I told Jett as we clapped hands and turned.
“He’s a good guy. He was Lexi’s first boss. I had no idea he was one of Marcos’ dads. Thanks for updating me. Should I return you, or do you want to finish?” Jett spun me.
“We can finish, but after this, I’m going to need a break.” Sweat dripped down my back. I’d kept the wrap on all night over my backless dress, to hide my scars.
When the dance finished, Jett returned me to the table. Brennan hovered, a glass in his hand, looking like he wanted to say something.
“Excuse me, I’m going to find the ladies' room.” I darted out of the ballroom and down the hall. I used the restroom and took a moment to cool down.
A woman, maybe a little younger than me, was applying her lipstick. She’d been at a nearby table and had been staring at me on and off all evening.
“I don’t mean to be weird, but is your dad a chemistry professor at Briar University?” she asked.
“No, he has a hardware store,” I replied.
“Oh, okay. It’s just that you look a lot like my favorite professor from undergrad.” She smiled at me.
Well, at least he was a favorite and not the hated one who tanked everyone’s grades.
“Grace, I heard back from the chapter president, and she said there was no issue with considering you for membership. Apparently, there are gammas in other chapters. I’ll text you about our next meeting; at least come and check us out?
” an omega who was an astrophysicist asked as she washed her hands.
“Thanks, I’d love that.” I fished my lipstick out of my purse and touched it up. She and Rami belonged to a professional organization that was all omegas in the sciences. It sounded fun.
I left the bathroom and went back into the ballroom and found Spencer.
Spencer put an arm around my waist. “Shall we get dessert and sit?”
“Please.” I liked that gesture as he pulled me close.
The display of desserts was resplendent, filled with flowers and all sorts of tasty morsels. Coffee and desserts in hand, we returned to our table, which was right in front; the only better table was the one with Brennan and his family.
Spencer held out my chair for me, and we sat. His manners were like something out of a fairytale.
“You’re enjoying yourself?” he murmured as he took a sip of coffee. “We can leave whenever you wish. I don’t want you to overexert yourself on my account.”
“I’m getting a little tired, but this has been great, thank you.” I tried a little dessert. No, not my style.
“The pleasure is all mine.” He picked up a tiny chocolate pastry. “Here, try.”
I realized he meant to feed it to me, and I opened my mouth and took a bite. Normally, I’d be embarrassed, but this dinner had shown me public affection, including feeding people bites of things, was perfectly normal here. As well as reiterating that love came in all forms.
The dark chocolate oozed over my tongue and exploded with a hint of orange. I closed my eyes and groaned. “That’s amazing.”
“They’re one of my favorites,” he told me, taking a bite of another.
A few people came and chatted with us as we finished dessert, and Brennan’s mom made some closing remarks, thanking everyone for coming.
“She’s quite formidable, isn’t she?” I whispered to Spencer. I’d watched her all evening. Everyone deferred to her.
“She is. Brennan’s unhappy when she meddles, and she’s been meddling quite a bit lately,” he told me.
“Because of me.” My head bowed.
Spencer put a finger under my chin and lifted my head. “None of that, my good doctor. I think it’s time to leave. Shall we?”
“That sounds great.”