Chapter Forty-ThreeGrace #2
Jett nodded. “There’s one in the Bay Area themed like a Greek temple.”
“It sounds amazing,” I agreed. A rotating restaurant? That sounded fun.
“We’re good company, promise,” Spencer added. “They also have delicious mashed potatoes.”
Evan nodded. “I can work with that. Don’t worry, Peaches, I have a whole romantic weekend planned, and a change in dinner plans isn’t disastrous.”
“You do?” My heart fluttered. I knew they were planning something. But I hadn’t realized that it was more than dinner.
“We’ll make it special, even if we’re forced to eat at Supressa.” Evan laughed.
“I suppose.” I actually didn’t mind a change in plans, or not picking where I ate on my birthday, or that we were being made to go by Brennan’s mom, as long as the food was good and the company decent.
“Last thing. If a guy named Luc from the integration team at the Omega Center calls you, I’d appreciate your cooperation,” Brennan added. “Just like I appreciate everyone’s cooperation with Mrs. Beekman and Dependent Services. Thank you.”
Riley raised her hand. “Is this a paid opportunity?”
“You get paid in ice cream and pizza.” Brennan took another sip.
Her head lolled back and forth. “Fair.”
“How was everyone’s day?” Brennan asked, and we went around the table. Spencer and Wes talked about work, and Riley had gotten an A on her math test.
“I made cookies for dessert,” I offered, wanting to contribute.
“I can’t wait,” Jett told me, eyes gleaming. “There are none missing, promise. Certainly, I’m not taking any to work.”
Riley snorted.
“Please, take some to work,” I laughed. “Did anyone get in trouble?” I added.
Riley froze.
“Grace means it figuratively,” Wes told her. “It’s how she always got answers out of me when we were kids.”
Riley relaxed. “Oh, okay. I didn’t get detention, but once again, my art teacher failed to understand my artistic brilliance. Kilroy got detention, though.”
“Doesn’t Kilroy always get detention?” Evan laughed.
“I didn’t get in trouble, but my job is sort of the opposite,” Jett laughed. “I get paid to get people in trouble.”
“I did not get in trouble today nor did anyone make my shit list. Does anyone have anything going on in the next few weeks? Besides the gala and Grace’s birthday?
” Brennan asked. “I have a quick business trip, but I’ll be back late Thursday night.
It is calendared. Everyone please remember to calendar everything. ”
“Grace is mine for the weekend. I’m letting Wes come with us,” Evan said.
“Good, because Bren’s mine. I’m making him go with me to the boxing tournament,” Jett teased.
I sat back, watching the byplay.
“On Saturday, I have the school dance. I also have a skate smash clinic,” Riley added. “Is the gala anywhere good?”
“No. It’s at the Gladiola.” Brennan made a face. “My brother always chooses the same three places for all the foundation functions.”
Brennan had a brother?
“This is why you should buy that venue. Same party, different place,” Evan joked.
“I’m running the numbers. While I think people will drive that far for weekend affairs, I don’t know about things during the week, which is when most galas and dinners are held,” he replied.
“I’m sure you’ll figure something out,” Evan told him.
“I’ve got a bunch of meetings this week and next, but I will be where you need me to be when you need me to be there.” Spencer patted his lips with the cloth napkin. “Jett, dinner was delicious.”
“All I have is a doctor's appointment, where I can hopefully get rid of this,” I held up my wrist. “Well, and the billion videos Evan’s assigned to me.” I grinned at him. There were hours and hours of them.
“Hey, watch the videos or I’m hauling your ass to work with me and making you take actual classes,” Evan teased back.
We finished dinner and had coffee and cookies in the living room.
“Those were so good,” Jett told me, as he turned on some music.
Riley made a face. “Do we have to practice dancing?”
Jett moved the coffee table and shook his head. “You? No. Grace? Yes.”
“Please?” If we were going to elegant dinners, I should learn this world’s fancy dancing.
Brennan looked at Jett as he cleared off the cups and plates from the table Jett had just moved. “Teach her the one Rami always makes us do.”
“Okay, we’ll start with that. There are a few songs that you can do this dance to, but this is the one Rami always wants.” He changed the music on the sound system.
Jett took my hand and led me through the dance, breaking it down. It wasn’t that difficult, just unfamiliar. Ri followed along, Spencer acting as her partner. Evan and Wes sat on the couch snuggling.
“You know, you could practice, too.” Jett rolled his eyes at them as he restarted the music.
“I’m enjoying the view.” Wes shrugged.
We ran through the dance a few more times and then a few others, including the one I’d danced with him at the science dinner.
Jett was a kind and patient partner, taking care to explain the steps to me.
I still wasn’t precisely sure what he smelled like, but it smelled nice.
He was also good looking and while I did like my tall guys, Jett was a little more of a comfortable height to dance.
Riley was having fun, and Spencer… Mmmm, he was nice to watch. Wes had disappeared. Evan sat there, texting.
“See, you’re getting it. They’re not that hard,” Jett told me.
“Thanks. You’re an excellent teacher,” I replied.
“This is fun, but I should do homework.” Riley looked at Jett. “Will you take me back to school on your motorcycle?”
“My motorcycle? Not my convertible? You’re trying to make someone jealous or something?” Jett laughed, pausing the music.
Riley blinked innocently. “What, me?”
Jett looked at Evan. “Is that okay?”
“It’s fine. I have drama to solve anyway,” Evan replied, still texting.
Riley gave her brother a kiss on the cheek and hugged Spencer, then me, and scampered off.
Spencer looked at me and offered a hand. “Partner change, my good doctor? Just one more. We haven’t done my favorite yet.”
“Of course.” I put my hand in his and felt a little… giddy. Which was silly. But, something about him did it for me, and if in this world I could catch them all…
He changed the music, and then we set off, twirling around the living room floor. No breakdown, just him whispering the steps to me as we moved in three-four time. This was harder than the ones I’d done with Jett, and much more like something out of a Regency movie than the others.
“That’s it, you’re doing great, my good doctor,” he cooed, as we repeated the pattern, my shorter legs trying to keep up.
I gulped at his praise because the way he said it made me believe that I could. Or it could be that his oiled leather scent got stronger with exertion, and that hand on my back…
Down, girl.
But we were only dancing.
Of course, in Regency movies that was where the magic happened.
Evan grinned as Spencer and I made another lap around the room. I ducked my head. Caught.
“You are doing so well,” Spencer praised as we kept moving. “Last time. You are the most perfect partner, Grace.”
“Perfect, hardly.” I looked up into his eyes. Something between us sizzled as he picked me up by the waist and spun me around, which was possibly my favorite part of the dance.
Oh boy.
Spencer flashed me a knowing grin, setting me down and not missing a beat. We finished the dance, and he bowed. “Thank you, my good doctor. We’ll do this again soon?”
“Please?” I was a bit breathless since this dance practice was the most cardio I’d done since I’d gotten here.
His hand smoothed my hair, his thumb lingering on my face as his eyes met mine. “Oh, I’d love that so much.”
For a moment, all thoughts left me.
Spencer kissed the top of my head. “Good night, Grace. Good night, Evan and Wes.”
Turning off the music, he left the room.
“He has it so fucking bad.” Wes laughed as he picked me up and spun me around.
“It’s so funny seeing him down bad for our girl.” Evan held out his arms.
Wes tossed me into Evan’s arms, and then jumped onto the couch with us, making a big cuddle party.
“Is that okay?” I bit my lower lip as I looked at Wes.
“Of course. I mean, it’s Spence.” Wes shrugged.
“Mmmm, that’s what I need.” Evan snuggled into us.
“Will you be seeing Rose tomorrow? I have some cookies for her.” I leaned my head on his shoulder.
“That’s nice of you. I’m going to see her tomorrow. Her first day at her new school went okay,” Evan told me.
“I really feel for her. What happened to her sister?” I curled up on their laps.
“Someone undid the compulsion, and they sent her home. Charges weren’t pressed. I’m a little worried about the uncle, but Iris isn’t my client, Rose is. This job’s hard sometimes.” He sighed as he played with my hair.
“Yeah, math doesn’t make you cry. Well, sometimes it does, like when you accidentally ruin your friend’s research, so you stay late for weeks trying to fix it so they’ll stop being pissed at you.” I frowned. There was something there, but that memory bubble just wouldn’t pop.
“Watch the videos. They’re going to help you understand,” Evan told me. “I’m trying to make things easier for you, not harder.”
“I know. I started Module One. While I’m feeling better, I just can’t concentrate for more than an hour.” Some of the modules did look interesting.
“Take your time. You’re fine.”
I nodded. “I also have to finish deciding whether I want to work for Spence. Though I’m not ready to go back to work.”
“Work for Spence. That means you get to ride with Wes to and from work–and you have a lunch buddy,” he said.
That sounded like a nice perk.
“What got into Brennan? Tonight was… nice,” I said softly.
“That’s what he’s usually like, well, with us. I’m glad he’s coming around,” Wes pointed out.
“Yeah, he’s an asshole, but he’s our asshole,” Evan added.
“This… this is sort of what I always imagined being an adult would be like.” I looked into Wes’ eyes.
“We’re adults, and this is your life now.” Wes kissed me. “Yours, too.” He kissed Evan.
This was my life now. That made me so happy.