Page 159 of The Bonus

“Yes,” I snap as I answer it.

“Hello. Umm…Mr. Ferrara.”

“What is it?”

“I just called to let you know that Grace is having lunch with a man,” he says nervously. “He met her at her work and he had his arm around her as they walked into the restaurant.”

What?

“Who is it?” I growl.

“I believe it’s the man that you told me to watch, Jack Spalding.”

The hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention as a fury like never before runs through my blood. “Go inside and sit at the table next to them.”

“Inside the restaurant?”

I begin to hear my heartbeat in my ears.

“Do not leave them alone for one fucking second.”

20

Grace

“You look so beautiful today, do you know that?” Jack smiles over the table. “I love you wearing blue.”

“You said that already.” I give him a lopsided smile. “Thank you, though.”

Jack is the nicest man I know, and, damn it, I really want to like him. He’s fair-haired, blue-eyed and handsome, he’s athletic and has every attribute any woman would want, quite the catch really. We’ve been friends for years and recently started to go out occasionally. I know he likes me in a romantic way…I mean, he doesn’t hide it.

I keep waiting for the zing to hit me, for something to happen that will magically make me see him in a different light.

So far, no such luck.

But I’m not a quitter, I know he would be a great partner, I just have to get my body to catch up with my head. I’m pushing through this until the attraction comes…and surely it has to soon, this is our fifth date.

“What are you having?” I ask as I open the menu.

“Hmm.” He looks over the choices. “I’ll have whatever you’re having.”

I glance up. “You don’t want to choose your own?”

“I’m happy to do whatever you do.” He smiles dreamily over me as he leans on his hand.

Ugh…don’t.

“Okay, I’m having a salad.” I slam the menu shut. “And a glass of wine.”

“Sounds good.”

We fall into an awkward silence, I’m silent and he’s awkward, but honestly who the hell knows anymore, I’ve lost all sphere of reference as to how I’m supposed to feel on a date anymore.

I look out over the people in the restaurant that are all chatting and laughing, excited to be seeing each other. I feel an overwhelming sense of failure.

What the hell is wrong with me?

For once, can’t I just want someone who is good for me? It’s not all about butterflies and chemistry, and damn it, where is the waitress?

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