Granted Wishes (The Granted Series Book 1) (10 page)

GRACELYNN STRETCHES
HER ARMS
above her head and feels heat beside her. She smiles, reaches out and rubs Holly’s stomach. Holly stretches, licks Gracelynn’s hand and wags her tail.

Since it’s three pm, Gracelynn decides to take Holly outside for a walk and see what else this beautiful town has to show her.

She gets out of bed, grabs her keys, phone and Holly’s leash. As soon as she sees the leash, Holly acts all excited, and runs to the door. When Gracelynn applies the collar, Holly grabs the front part of the leash and puts it in her mouth, happy to go. It makes Gracelynn laugh.

They leave the motel without any issues. Holly walks right beside her, acting all normal until she starts barking when they’re outside. Gracelynn notices a park off to the right. “What’s the matter, girl? You want us to go to the park?” Holly barks again and Gracelynn knows her answer. For the next hour they both walk through the park, enjoying the scenery and nature. Gracelynn wishes she had her camera to capture all the beauty. They start walking back and head towards the sign that shows the café and a few other places to dine.

* * *

Giovanni makes it to his hotel, completely exhausted. He kept thinking about Gracelynn and wishing he could get out of this trip somehow. Something doesn’t feel right. He senses something bad will happen while he’s away. He keeps rubbing his bracelet and it makes him smile knowing that Gracelynn has one too. He wonders when he should let her know that Anne is his grandmother and hopes she won’t be mad he kept it from her.

He looks out of the window of his office, wishing he knew what Gracelynn and Holly were doing. He’s never been a worrisome man before; but with Gracelynn he doesn’t like having her away from him, especially since Angelo asked him in the letter to watch over her and protect her.

He decides to text Gracelynn while he waits for his managers to come into the boardroom.

Gio: Hey! I made it to my hotel safely. I hope Holly is doing her job.

Only a few seconds later, a message comes in.

Gracelynn: I’m so glad you made it to your hotel. Holly & I are great. Went to the park & I loved it. I wish Ben and Cassie packed my camera. The scenery was magnificent.

He smiles, deciding he’ll buy her a camera and gift it to her when he returns. He knows exactly what park she went to and wants to take her there again himself. She’ll definitely need a camera to capture her memories from her vacation.

Gio: I believe I know the park you’re referring to. I’d love to take you when I get back.

He wipes his brow, suddenly nervous. He hopes that he didn’t push himself on her and hopes she understands what he meant.

A few minutes go by and he finally gets another message.

Gracelynn: I’d love for you to take us. Holly & I didn’t stay long. I forgot to say thank you for my carnation. Thank you so much. Xxx’s

Gio: You’re welcome. I look forward to seeing you soon, doll. Xxx’s

Talking with Gracelynn has him in a good mood, smiling even. He sets down his phone and waits for his staff to enter.

The rest of the evening is spent with them going over corporate lingo, sales, issues, complaints, you name it. It’s boring, and he misses Gracelynn more than he thought possible.

His staff starts to get hungry and he offers to take them to the bar downstairs since he owns the hotel and offers free food and drinks on the house.

As his staff heads out without him, he gathers all his paperwork and decides to text Gracelynn.

Gio: Just checking in and hoping all is going well.

He gets a text back almost right away.

Gracelynn: All is well. Holly & I are charming like always and were getting hit on all day.

Now, that makes him furious. He doesn’t know if she is serious or not but doesn’t like knowing people are checking her out.

Gio: Who checked you out? Care to elaborate?

Gracelynn: Chuckles, no. But don’t worry your irresistible little head over it. I’m teasing & am glad to see I can get your boxers in a bunch.

Man he loves her feisty, crazy personality. She makes him laugh and love life more than anyone else he’s ever met.

Gio: Well, who says I wear boxers?

Gracelynn: Who says I’m wearing any underwear at all?

What? Whoa. Calm down boy. Don’t think bad thoughts. Don’t think bad thoughts.

Gio: Lucky Holly. Bet she just loves all that.

Gracelynn: Why yes she is. She loves it and told me to walk out of the motel this way.

Gio: Don’t you ever got out of the motel looking like that. That’s not for everyone to see.

Gracelynn: What do you mean not for everyone to see? You saying they wouldn’t like what I would show them?

Oh my God. This conversation can’t keep happening over text. He has to call her.

“Hello, Mr. Irresistible,” she says, answering the phone right away. It’s in a sexy seductive manner that instantly has him worked up more than before.

He clears his throat. “You know you shouldn’t be naked or running around naked in that nasty infested motel.” He hates that she’s staying there, but loves her independence and wanting to do something on her own.

“Well, Gio, I thank you for giving me your take on this situation. I’m sure that you’ve seen way better bodies than mine anyways, so what’s it to ya?” she says rather sarcastically.

Oh really. What game does she think she’s playing here?
He runs his left hand through his hair and decides he can play dirty too.

“How about if I said I was going to go outside my hotel and streak people? Would you like other women seeing this irresistible handsome body?” He hopes she’ll become jealous and even though he’s never liked jealous women, he wants her to be that way.

“Um, I guess if you’d like to be arrested, by all means go for it. I’m sure there’s nothing there for the
gals
to see anyways.”

He laughs and quickly abandons the crazy topic of either of them streaking. “I have to go,” he tells her. “We’ll talk tomorrow, alright?”

He gathers his paperwork, smiling because he knows Gracelynn and Holly are all right. He’s thrilled to go downstairs and hang loose with the fellas for the night.

GRACELYNN WAKES
UP TO HOLLY
licking her face and whining for her to take her outside. She grumbles but gathers her shoes and takes Holly out. When she comes back in, she crawls right back into bed and sleeps some more, with Holly right by her side.

Gracelynn wakes up at ten am, feeling refreshed. She glances down to see Holly holding her paw on her leg. This dog and Giovanni give her such peace that she had the best sleep in years. They offer a calming embrace in her goal of finding her inner peace.

She gets up off the bed. “Come on Holly. Let’s call Kat and see what she’s up to today. Maybe she can go shopping with us? What do you say, girl?”

Holly starts wagging her tail, which Gracelynn takes as an approval.

Gracelynn calls Kat and finds out Kat is off work today and would love to go shopping with them. They arrange to meet at the café at noon.

Several hours later, Gracelynn pulls up to the café and after parking the car, walks over to Kat, who is standing outside the café.

Kat suggests they walk downtown so Gracelynn can visit all the shops she missed the other day. After walking for a while, they come across a boutique with stylish dresses on the mannequins. Kat insists Gracelynn needs to try on a green, backless dress they spot on one of the mannequins. Gracelynn agrees and the two girls and Holly enter the store.

They look for the dress and Gracelynn goes to try it on. When she comes out of the dressing room, Kat is speechless. “You totally need to buy that dress. It looks amazing on you.”

“Do you think?” Gracelynn turns to look at herself in the mirror. She looks stunning. She never thought she could look like that!

“Yes,” Kat says. “I’ll go find you some matching shoes.” Seconds later, she finds some amazing, black high-heeled shoes. Gracelynn purchases both the dress and shoes and thanks the lady behind the counter before leaving the store.

Gracelynn’s stomach rumbles as they continue to walk down the street.

Kat chuckles at the noise. “Hungry much?”

”I guess so!”

Kat leads them to a small diner where they order a BLT, chicken noodle soup and raspberry tea. Gracelynn also orders a little something for Holly.

They go through some small talk while they eat. “I still need to do my laundry,” Gracelynn complains, thinking about the heaps of unwashed clothes she’s already collected.

Kat smiles at her. “Girl, you’re in luck. Why don’t you bring all your items and your laundry, stay at my place and you can do it there if you’d like.”

Gracelynn beams at Kat. “Thank you.” She pushes her plate away after finishing lunch. “Let’s go get the laundry started and then maybe we could have a girl’s night and rent a movie or something? It’s been a long time since I’ve done something like that.” Her smile fades and she realizes that she hasn’t thought about her beloved Angelo in a few days. She holds her necklace, worried that she’s starting to forget all about him.

“Is everything okay?” Kat asks.

Holly looks up and licks Gracelynn’s hand, trying to comfort her.

Gracelynn nods. “I’m fine.” Because she is. She’s having a great time, but is saddened by not thinking of Angelo so much.

They go back to the motel, gather Gracelynn’s items, pays at the front desk for her stay, and then head to Kat’s home.

When Kat pulls up to the driveway of her home, Gracelynn is floored, her mouth gaping open. “Whoa! This is your home?”

Kat laughs. “Yes, this is my home. I share it with my grandmother. Let’s get you settled, the laundry started and then we can do our nails and talk about girl things.” She winks at her.

Gracelynn knows she means talk about her and Gio. She starts to wonder if it was such a good idea to be spending time with Gio’s sister.

* * *

Giovanni stumbles out of bed, grabs a cup of coffee and gets himself ready for the day. He looks at himself in the mirror and laughs. He would bet a ton of money that Gracelynn wouldn’t want anyone to see him naked like they discussed last night. He has no intention of anyone seeing him or her naked, unless they’re naked together of course. That would make him a very happy man.

Why did she have to crash into the tree in front of the house and be my dead brother’s wife? What are the chances?
He wonders about the odds while he gets dressed in a black, pin-striped suit, white shirt and silver tie with shiny black loafers.

He decides to go downtown before his meeting to the little shopping area and purchase an up-to-date camera for Gracelynn. He hopes she’ll enjoy his little gift.

After purchasing the camera, he goes back to the office, gathers his paperwork, grabs his laptop and heads into the conference room again. He still has a few more meetings he needs to go over. He’s early, so he takes out his phone and messages Gracelynn, hoping she’s doing well.

Gio: I hope all is going well. I’ll return to town tomorrow evening. Can I take you to dinner?

He twirls his pen in his fingers nervously. He’s never nervous but for some reason when he’s around her or thinks about her, his heart flutters and his palms sweat. How can he have it this bad already, and for his dead brother’s wife?

A text comes in immediately.

Gracelynn: Hello, Gio! We’re all doing well. Holly & I are at Kat’s place doing laundry. Dinner would be nice.

He smiles and immediately responds back.

Gio: You didn’t let Kat do your laundry, did you? I wouldn’t trust her with my clothes at all.

She responds back immediately.

Gracelynn: I just told Kat & she demands an apology. She states she’s an expert on laundry, thank you very much. LOL, teasing, I didn’t tell her. I’m doing my own laundry. When will Holly and I see you tomorrow?

Gio: How about five thirty? Then we can take Holly somewhere too. I have a surprise for you after dinner, so wear something light with reasonable shoes and a jacket, please. Can’t wait to see you both. Give my love to Kat. X G.

Gracelynn: Will do my best. Kat and Holly send their love. X Gracie

Giovanni smiles at their texts. Never did he think that he’d be interested in another woman until this beauty got placed right in front of his feet.

His staff enters and they begin to discuss a possible merger with another small hotel, going over the pros and cons and the like. By six thirty all of them are hungry and agree to go downstairs for a few drinks.

Gio is having fun with the fellas. He doesn’t always drink but when socializing, he typically has a few. He takes a sip of his gin and tonic while he listens to the men discuss a variety of subjects. Then they get to the topic of women, and for some reason it makes him nervous.

He runs his fingers through his hair and decides to mention his dilemma to the guys and try to figure out his mind and heart. Taking another sip of his drink, he goes for it.

“Guys, I’ve met someone,” he states abruptly.

“Way to go! We thought you lost interest in women,” Ryan tells him and Kendall chimes in. “About time you got on that horse again, boss.”

He laughs at their jabs. “I still like women, smart ass. She’s smart, sexy, and sassy. And…. has a body to die for.” He opens his phone and finds the picture that Kat took of Gracelynn and shows the guys.

“Hot damn, man. I would be all over that girl too. You sure do know how to pick em.” They all high five him around the bar.

He enjoys listening to them agree his woman is hot and sexy, but doesn’t let them glare at her picture too long. He won’t let them ogle his woman.

“Dude, what’s up? I know you better than this. If you bring something up to us, it’s pretty serious. Are you serious about this woman?” Kendall asks, sipping his own drink.

“How do you know me so well?” He laughs and rubs his beard.

“Gio, tell us. Don’t go all girly and shit, but lay out whatever is going on. We’ve not been out in a while and we know what you went through with Liz. Just give it to us.”

“I’m just afraid this is too good to be true. You know what Liz did to me. And how I’ve dealt with it over the last few years.”

“Dude, your heart was hurt in the past. That doesn’t mean this new hot chick will be the same. Give her the benefit of the doubt.”

Gio nods his head in agreement with Kendall. Just as he is about to continue on with his conversation, he notices the men have all stopped looking at him and at something behind him.

Mallory walks behind him, wearing another form-fitting, low-cut dress that hangs to her body seductively. She stops behind Gio. The men are all drooling over her, everyone but Kendall and Gio.

Gio finds her behavior repulsive. Not one ounce of him is attracted to this woman.
Besides, why is she here?
She told him she was going on vacation.

Clearing his throat, he tries to sound professional despite his inner anger towards her. “Excuse me, Mallory, but what are you doing here? I thought you were on vacation?” He glares at her, not once taking his eyes off her face. Her eyes move all over his body though, checking him out. “A friend of mine is staying at the hotel,” she says, sounding only slightly irritated. “Don’t get all defensive. It’s a coincidence we ran into each other, that’s all.” After saying that, she leaves again, ignoring the others.

Seconds later, the other men start chatting again about sports, and then they go play darts and a round of pool at the side area of the bar.

After a few rounds of pool, they bid each other good night and Gio heads to his room, alone. As he gets into the room, he loosens his tie from around his neck and throws it on the bed. Just as he’s about to unbutton his shirt, there’s a knock at the door.

He opens the door and narrows his eyes, anger boiling up inside of him. Standing in front of him is Mallory, wearing a black robe with the front open, revealing a tight corset emphasizing her breasts, black underwear, garters and black stockings. He looks away from her body. He doesn’t want to see her in that attire – not now, not ever.

“Mallory, what the hell are you doing? I’ve told you… I. Don’t. Want. You. You’re my assistant. Do you understand? My. Assistant.” He emphasizes through each word. Trying to make his point clearly made.

Her face reddens at his outburst, but she stays silent.

“I don’t buy it for one second that you’re here for a friend. Let me make myself clear. If you ever pull a stunt like this again you’ll be fired, do you understand me?” He can barely keep his voice from shaking, that’s how angry he is.

She tries to speak, but he interrupts her. “I won’t tolerate this again. You’re on leave of absence until I say otherwise. Good night, Mallory.” He slams the door in her face, completely baffled with the outrageous stunt she just pulled.

He gets undressed, lies in bed, and closes his eyes, trying to calm down. He tries to think of Gracelynn and how she’d react if she found out about this…