The Boyfriend of the Month Club (20 page)

“Felix, I think it all worked out for the best between us.”

He frowned, like he hadn’t expected that.

“Can you please show me to my table?”

He scanned the ledger in front of him. “I’m sorry, Grace, but Charlie doesn’t have a reservation and we’re—”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. You’re booked.” Grace thought back to their conversation this morning. She could have sworn Charlie said Chez Louis. They were meeting to discuss Charlie’s big idea to save the store. Grace had thought about asking him to change up the location, but why should she avoid Daytona Beach’s hottest new restaurant just because Felix was the manager? Especially now that she’d put their history in a new perspective.

“Can you try Mark Lockett or Andrea Jones? They’re the partners at Charlie’s law firm. Sometimes the secretary makes a reservation under their name.”

Felix rechecked the ledger. “Actually, there
is
a reservation under Mark Lockett’s name, but it’s for three.”

Charlie had mentioned there was someone he’d been conferring with about the store, someone who wanted to help, but he hadn’t given Grace a name.

“That’s us. We’re supposed to be meeting a third party.”

Felix snapped his fingers at a hostess. “Please seat Ms. O’Bryan right away. There will be two more guests as well.” He leaned over and whispered in Grace’s ear, “Call me. We have a lot to talk about.”

Felix couldn’t seriously believe Grace would actually call him. She pretended she didn’t hear him. She followed the hostess to her table, then sat back in her chair to admire the view. The tables were covered with crisply starched linen cloths. Lit tapers surrounded by freshly cut flowers made up the centerpieces. The sweet but sad sound of violin music played in the background. The atmosphere was beautifully elegant and she couldn’t help but wonder how her date with Brandon might have ended if they’d started out here instead of the Wobbly Duck.

She was perusing the wine list when the hostess seated a man in the chair across from her. Grace did a double take. “You’ve got the wrong table.”

Brandon Farrell smiled apologetically. “There’s no mistake, Grace. I’m sorry. I thought Charlie told you.”

“Told me what?”

“That I’d be meeting you for dinner tonight.”

“Charlie told me we were meeting with someone who wanted to
help
the store.”

“I
do
want to help. Look, the least you can do is hear me out.” Brandon hailed a server and ordered the most expensive bottle of wine on the menu, along with a Seven and Seven. “But first I want to explain something. That night at the Wobbly Duck, I had an epiphany.”

Grace struggled not to roll her eyes.

“Doug and I have known each other since prep school and I knew he could be a jerk, but I didn’t realize until that night what an asshole he is. Which makes me an even bigger asshole because I’ve sucked up to him all my life. I’ve always been that guy who wants everyone to like him. The guy who doesn’t want to make waves. Dumping that pitcher of beer on my lap is the best thing anyone’s ever done for me, so thank you for that, Grace.”

“You’re welcome.” Any second now, Ashton Kutcher was going to jump out of the potted fern to her left and tell her she’d just been Punk’d.

“You don’t believe me.”

Brandon’s drink and the bottle of wine arrived. Grace waited till they were alone again before saying, “It’s not that I don’t believe you, Brandon. You’ve already apologized and I’ve already accepted it. I
get
all that. I just don’t get what you want from me now.”

“I thought I just made it clear. I want another chance.”

“Brandon—”

“I know what you’re thinking. Poor little spoiled rich boy who works for his daddy. But it’s not like that. My parents are good people. They didn’t raise me to be a conceited moron. I achieved that all on my own. My mother would scalp me alive if she knew how I’d treated you that night at the Duck.”

She had to admit, Brandon sounded sincere. And there were the roses and the champagne to consider. If this was some sort of scam, it bordered on the Machiavellian.

“You want another chance? Okay. You probably have about ten minutes before my brother shows up, so go ahead, Brandon. Wow me.”

“You mean . . . now? Here?” He glanced around the restaurant.

“Sure. Dazzle me. Tell me in fifty words or less why I should go out with you again.”

“All right. I accept the challenge.” He threw back his drink. “I know this is going to sound corny, but I’ve thought of nothing but you since that night at the Wobbly Duck. You practically saved my life! I could have choked to death, but you were willing to do the Heimlich on me even though I was behaving like a total ass. Grace,” he said, reaching out to take her hand, “you make me want to be a better man.”

Grace pressed her lips together.

“What? Was that more than fifty words?”

“Brandon, you do know that last line is from the movie
As Good As It Gets
, right?”

“
Damn
. I was hoping you hadn’t seen it.” Then he smiled and Grace had to admit, it had the desired effect he was going for. She couldn’t help but laugh.

“What’s so funny?”

“A week ago, I would never have believed it if you’d told me I was going to be sitting in Chez Louis eating dinner with you. I could resist the roses and even the Dom Perignon, but quoting Jack Nicholson is the final straw. I give up!”

“Does this mean you’ll go out with me again?”

“Maybe. I don’t know. Why don’t we start back at square one and see how it goes.”

“Fair enough.” He picked up his drink and held it in the air, waiting. Grace raised her wine and they clinked glasses. “I’m glad we’re friends again. You have no idea how much I’ve missed Zumba class these past few weeks.”

When had Brandon become so funny?

“You pretty much sucked.”

“The strange thing is, even though the reason I joined was because of you, I actually ended up liking it.”

“Really? You joined because of me and you couldn’t even remember my name?”

“I knew your name. But I was upset, and I admit . . . more than a little drunk on cheap beer and my own self-importance that night.”

“Darlene will be thrilled to have you back in class. She misses you terribly. You were her one great challenge.”

He laughed and Grace was reminded of how handsome he was. They spent the next few minutes talking about food. Brandon had an opinion on every dish on the menu, so Grace decided to let him order for her. She’d just taken a bite of their appetizer, a heavenly garlic-laden, butter-soaked escargot, when her cell phone buzzed. “Charlie, where are you?”

“Something came up at work and I’m going to have to ditch the meeting. Sorry, I feel bad about this. Is Farrell there yet?”

“He’s here.”

“Then he can fill you in on what we’ve talked about. Be nice to him, Grace. Farrell’s on our side.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Grace snapped her phone shut. “Charlie can’t make it,” she told Brandon. She narrowed her eyes at him. “The two of you didn’t plan this, did you?”

“You think I convinced your brother to lure you here to Chez Louis, then had him bail just so I could have you alone for dinner? That’s a lot of work, don’t you think? You’re cute, but you’re not . . .” He paused, then smiled. “
Yeah
, you’re that cute.”

Once upon a time she would have been flattered by his flirtation. But he seemed more friendly than serious, and she had to admit, she was beginning to like Brandon. She thought about how Joe had called Brandon an asshole. Brandon had called himself that too. But he’d also apologized for his bad behavior and all that appeared to be behind them now. Grace was a big girl. She didn’t need Joe Rosenblum telling her how to think. She could make up her own mind where Brandon Farrell was concerned.

“I had no idea Charlie was your brother until he approached me last week about the store,” Brandon said.

“How do you two know each other?”

“Our bank does business with his firm. He’s a sharp guy.”

“I agree. So let’s cut to the chase. What’s the deal? And make it simple.”

Brandon looked impressed by her bluntness. “I’m part of a group of private investors who are interested in highway real estate. But we’re not looking to turn around the land any time soon, so my proposition is this: Let my investment group buy Florida Charlie’s. The store can stay as is for a guaranteed minimum of three years, with you as manager, if you’d like. We’ll take responsibility for everything. At the end of the three-year term we’ll either put the land up for sale or reconsider extending the time frame.”

Grace felt her jaw drop.
This
was her brother’s big idea to “save” Florida Charlie’s?

“So what do you say, Grace? Everyone wins here. Your parents get a payout right away, and Florida Charlie’s and your job stay intact for three years with no worries about making payroll or repairs on a building that, quite frankly—according to what Charlie tells me—is falling apart.”

What did she say?

She had a lot to say.

But she’d promised Charlie she’d play nice tonight. On the other hand, Charlie wasn’t here, so screw him.

Grace tried to rally
Mal Genio
to do something. Say something. Anything at all.

But the truth was . . . she wasn’t angry. Because the more she thought about it, the more Brandon made sense, and once she was able to process that, all she could feel was sadness. Sadness that Charlie could be so cavalier about the whole deal that he couldn’t even bother showing up to tell her about it himself. Sadness that the store her parents loved so much wouldn’t be around for Grace’s children to see. And most of all, strangely enough, sadness for herself.

“I appreciate you meeting with me,” she told Brandon. “But I honestly don’t think my father will go for that.”

“That’s what Charlie said, but if the two of you together convince him it’s for the best, maybe you can get him to consider it.” He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “If the business continues on the downward trend it’s on, eventually your father will have to sell. The options might not be so good then.”

17

I Haven’t the Least Idea of Loving Him, Or Anyone Else for That Matter

It was the Wednesday before Christmas and Luigi’s was packed. Grace was the last one out of the four of them to arrive. “Did you order breadsticks?” she asked Sarah.

“Of course we did,” Sarah said. “Don’t worry, they should be here any minute so you can get your carb fix.”

“How was the mall?” Penny asked.

Grace and Penny were splitting managerial duties at the shop today. Grace had taken the morning off to do some last-minute Christmas shopping and the afternoon would be Penny’s turn.

“Ghastly. But I’m done shopping, so I can now officially enjoy the holidays.”

“I have finals to grade,
then
I’ll start my shopping, and I have absolutely no idea what to get my mother this year. I’ve never been so behind before,” Ellen grumbled.

The waiter took their orders and left a basket of hot breadsticks.

“There’s a kiosk near the food court where they’re selling silk scarves. I bought Abuela two of them. You should check it out,” she advised Ellen.

“What did you get Charlie?” Sarah asked.

“From me? He’s getting a lump of coal.”

She told them about Charlie’s idea to sell the store and about her dinner with Brandon and how Charlie had been a no-show.

Sarah tossed her napkin across the table in disgust. “I can’t believe Charlie could be so cold about this.”

“Do you think your dad will go for it?” Penny asked.

“No, but . . .” Grace shrugged. “Charlie seems pretty confident. I convinced him to wait until after the holidays to approach Pop with the offer.”

No one said anything for a minute.

“I finally finished the Dragon’s house,” Sarah said, trying to sound upbeat. “There’s a couple of pieces on back order that won’t come in until after the first of the year, but otherwise, it’s pretty much done.”

“Is it horrible looking?” Ellen asked.

“
Nothing
I decorate is horrible. The house is a real stunner, despite the floral couch in the living room. She’s throwing a big housewarming party after the holidays to show it off.” She paused. “She found out my divorce is almost final and she wants me to meet her
doctor son
. Which reminds me, in celebration of my upcoming divorce and spending the rest of my life being fixed up with men that no one else wants to date, I’m throwing a New Year’s Eve divorce party. My place. Just the four of us.”

“Her son’s a doctor? You should go for it,” Ellen said.

Sarah took a sip of her water. “What do you think, Grace?”

“Definitely!” Grace urged.

Sarah smiled brightly. “You’re right. Maybe he won’t be so bad after all.”

“That’s the spirit! So what are we going to do at this New Year’s Eve party?” Grace asked. “Should I bring something?”

“Just your sweet self. We’re going to eat chocolate fondue and drink cold champagne and watch chick flicks.”

“Sounds good,” said Ellen. “I’m in.”

“Me too,” said Penny.

“How was it being forced to have dinner with Brandon Farrell?” Sarah asked. “Did you want to stab him with a fork?” Her face got a funny look on it. “Grace, you
didn’t
stab him with a fork, did you?”

“
Mal Genio
behaved beautifully. And . . . actually, we had a good time.” This was met by a stunned silence that made Grace laugh. “I know, hard to believe.” She went into more detail about the dinner, including Brandon’s explanation of how he’d let himself be led by evil Doug, aka Iago.

“That’s such a weird coincidence how both Brandon and his friend Doug were reviewed in our boyfriend club. Don’t you think?” Sarah asked.

“It just goes to show how few eligible men there are in this town,” Grace said. “Oh, and Felix wants me to call him.”

“You’re not, are you?” Ellen asked.

“He’s
got
to be on drugs,” Penny muttered.

“The only reason I’d ever call Felix Barberi is to make a reservation at Chez Louis. Which, by the way, you totally need if you ever plan to go there. Despite the ridiculous prices, the place has really taken off.”