Page 94 of Fish out of Water
“I’m sorry I couldn’t come get you.” He seemed genuinely sorry.
Probably was, considering the dress I ended up in was significantly worse than the one I wore last night.
“Don’t be.” I unsuccessfully tried to smother out the smile working onto my lips. “I had fun.”
“That’s what I’m sorry about.” Grant ran one hand through the loose waves of his hair. “You need to be careful, Jules. I don’t want you getting into trouble because of them.”
I nodded my head. “Okay. I don’t want anyone to kick in my door and steal all my underwear or something.”
Grant frowned at me.
“I’m kidding.” I bumped him. “It’s fine.”
It was better than fine actually.
Sure, someone broke into my apartment. And yes, I’d been involved in an altercation that might have included a stiletto stabbing.
But I also got to spend time with two women who owned their fair share of power, and that was priceless to me.
A way to balance the scales in my life. Tip them in a direction that settled my soul.
“Did your mother find Uncle Vito?” Somewhere along the line Mr. Frazier became Uncle Vito in my brain.
Hopefully he wouldn’t mind.
“She will.” Grant leaned closer my way, draping one arm across the back of my chair. “Then what?”
“Then he’ll probably have to buy another fish.” Chances were good that poor Penelope went to the great pond in the sky.
“I forgot about the damn fish.” Grant raked his hand through his hair again. “He’s going to be heartbroken.”
“Maybe she’s okay.” I didn’t hold out much hope, all things considered. “I’m sure she’s fine.”
Or possibly de-tailed and packed into a box in a freezer.
“Why do you think Vito had all those fish tails in his freezer?” It was so bizarre. Something you couldn’t make up if you tried.
“Who knows. Vito’s never done things that made sense outside of his own mind.” Grant leaned away as the waiter showed up, cutting off any more discussion about Vito or the various fish parts that had to mean something.
If they didn’t, then Vito might have more problems than just being missing.
We all ordered our dinners and spent the evening eating, drinking, and dancing.
It might have been the most fun I’d ever had.
By the end of the night my face hurt from laughing. My feet hurt from all the time I spent on them, being twirled around the dance floor by the man who was proving to be so much more interesting than he appeared.
It was freaking wonderful.
Until Sylvia climbed up onto the table, kicking over wine glasses and empty White Claw cans before she started dancing like no one was watching.
Andeveryonewas watching.
Thank God, or Grant would have missed when she started to tip to one side. He was already moving as she started to fall, managing to catch her before she hit the ground.
“It’s time to go.” He got her on her feet before turning to me. “Where’s my mother?”
“I don’t know.” Elaine wasn’t the type of woman who needed someone to keep tabs on her, so when I saw her duck behind the curtains I didn’t think twice about it.
