Back again with Tayler Holder

Chapter 13: Restaurant

I sat in front of my wardrobe as I got ready to go to the restaurant with Vinnie. I picked up my grey joggers and top before my phone went off.

Vincenzo
I'll be over in 5 to pick you up.
P.S no joggers.

Grace
The reservation isn't for ages. And what am I suppose to wear now :(

Vincenzo
Something smart. It's the grand opening.

Grace
Fine then.

I spent about 15 minutes raking through my wardrobe for something to wear. Suddenly there was a knock on my door.
"Grace hurry up!" I heard Vinnie said.
"Give me a minute! Or 20!" I said back as I heard his footsteps go down the stairs.
I finally found what I was looking for.

I walked down the stairs and saw Vinnie stood there waiting.

"Woah." We both said at the same time looking at each other.
"You scrub up well." I said looking at him.
"Ditto." He said back.
"Oooo y'all look like a couple!" Markell said.
"Nah this is part of his apology." I said as I took Vinnie's arm.
"Is that why you're wearing heels?" Bryce said as he walked in stuffing his face with chips.
"Yh you never wear heels." Noah said suspicious.
"What, am I not allowed to try something new?" I said getting defensive.
"They're only teasing you." Azra said as she gave Bryce a gentle push.
"Have fun on you're friend-date!"Tayler said from the kitchen.
"We will!" We shouted back as we left the house.

We got in Vinnie's car and he began the drive to the restaurant.
"So how did Sammy react when you told her you were taking me to the grand opening instead of her?" I teased.
"Well she wasn't too happy at first but I tried to explain and when I did she was oddly calm." He said confused.
"Weird." I said as I shook off the thought.
It wasn't long before we pulled up to the restaurant. There were loads of cameras everywhere. I guess it was a grand opening after all. We got out of the car and Vinnie grabbed my hand. I pulled away quick.
"They'll think something is going on between us." I said referring to the paparazzi.
"Who cares." He said taking my hand again. I guess he was right. It's about time we stopped caring what other people think. We walked in hand in hand and a waiter directed us to a table. He was pretty good looking. Vinnie pulled out my seat like the gentleman he is before he went and sat opposite me.
The hot waiter came back with two menu's.
"One for the gentleman and one for the absolutely stunning lady." He said as our hands touched as he gave me a menu. All Vinnie did was laugh at my stunned expression as the waiter walked away.
"What's so funny!" I said as I kicked him under the table.
"Nothing! Actually there is something." He said trying to get his breath back.
"You!" He said pointing at me as he started laughing even more. All I did was shake my head at him as I tried to hold in my laughter as well.
"Shut up!" I said holding the menu up to cover my face as I noticed the judgemental looks we were getting from the older couples in the restaurant.
"Sorry." He said as he calmed down a bit.
"Remember whatever you want. My treat."
Oh I was ready to take the absolute piss. My eyes glossed over the menu as I looked for the most expensive thing. Bingo. $500. The waiter had come back. Vinnie ordered first.
"I'll have the gnocchi." He said.
"I'll have the golden bacon carbonara." I said smugly. As soon as I said that both Vinnie's and the waiter's eyes widened.
"The $500 carbonara?" The waiter said confirming.
"Yh that one. My friend here owes me." I said looking directly at Vinnie.
"No problem." The waiter said walking away.
"Really? $500!?" Vinnie said annoyed.
"Oh do you feel annoyed? Almost like you've been made a fool of?" I asked him. Then it clicked in his head. That's exactly how I felt.
"So...we even now?" He asked as he put his hand out across the table to shake.
"Even." I said as I shook his hand.
We continued to laugh and giggle as our food arrived. This $500 carbonara was really...something. I'm not gonna lie it just wasn't the best.
"Let me get a taste of the $500." He said opening his mouth. I spun some spaghetti around the fork and lifted it up to his mouth. Vinnie took the forkful and his face twisted in disgust. It was so obvious that he was trying to pretend it was nice but it just wasn't. We both started laughing and Vinnie gave me some of his gnocchi because he felt bad.
"I'm sorry." I said taking some of the gnocchi.
"Nah I deserve it." He said as he looked back over to the $500 that had been flushed down the drain. The waiter had come back to the table.
"Did you guys enjoy your meal?" He said picking up the plates.
"Yh...it was lovely." I lied as I felt Vinnie kick me from under the table.
"I'm glad to hear it." The waiter said as he took the plates away.
Just as we were about to leave, the waiter came back to the table.
"Um...excuse me miss. Would it be ok if I got your number? It's just that you're so beautiful and I've been distracted all night." He said scratching the back of his head.
"Look I'm sure your really sweet but I'm not looking for anything right now. I'm just floating through life." I explained to him which he took really well.
"Well does the pretty girl at least have a name?" He asked.
"Grace." I said to him.
"Simon." He said back.
"It was nice to meet you Simon." I said to him as I stood up and took Vinnie's arm once more.
"Nice to meet you to mi amor." He said as he walked back to the kitchens.

"Not like you to turn down someone like that." Vinnie said nudging me as we headed for the exit. It was pretty late at night now and it was so dark outside.
"Well he seems nice but we all know my track record when it comes to guys. It's tragic. So I need to give it a rest for a while." I said to him as he opened the main restaurant door as we were met with loads of paparazzi. The cameras were so bright that what happened next took me by surprise.
"Ahhh! My leg!"

Vinnie's POV:
Grace was behind me as we left the restaurant. I'm so glad things are back to normal.
"Ahhh! My leg!" I heard from behind me. I turned around quickly to be met with Grace clutching her left leg. There were pieces of glass and metal sticking out of it. Someone had attacked her. I ran over to her before she hit the floor and wrapped my arms around her.
"Oh my gosh Grace what's happened?!" I said panicking.
"There's glass and metal in my leg genius!" She said squeezing her eyes shut.
"Someone call an ambulance!!! NOW!" I said. But no one moved. All the paparazzi continued to take photos so I took matters in my own hands. I lifted her up bridal style and took her to my car. I ripped off the arm of my shirt and used it to apply pressure to the wound by tying it around her leg. She was losing blood and I've seen them do this in movies. I put the seatbelt over her and and headed straight for the hospital.
"Grace, Grace keep talking to me. Don't stop talking!" I said getting scared as her eyes started to close.
"No need to shout you idiot." She said staying calm as tears welled up in my eyes.
"I need to call Tayler." I said wiping my eyes quickly and reaching for my phone.
"Hey, eyes on the road!" She said as she grabbed my phone from me. She knew my password so she quickly unlocked the phone and called him on speaker.
"Vinnie! I've seen the press photos! Is she ok!"
"Please relax Tay, I'm fine. Vinnie's driving me to the hospital." She said as I sped up even more.
"Alright I'll meet you guys there." He said as we heard lots of rustling from the other side of the phone before he hung up.

Grace put the phone in her lap and let out a deep breath.
"Vinnie?"
"Yeah." I said getting worried.
"Remember the day we first met. Last summer."
"Of course I remember. But why are you doing this. Stop talking like this! People say things like this before they die!" I rambled as my grip on the wheel tightened.
"Shut up and just listen." Grace said to me as I just nodded in obedience.
"Remember I was in your garden at sway and I scared you and Josh. I made you guys think I was some fan." She said laughing lightly which made me laugh too.
"Yh I remember." I said laughing too.
"Then you guys figured out I was lying. And I nearly drowned." She said as I still felt the same guilt I felt that day.
"It's ok though. Look at you now. Trying to save me." She said as her eyes began to close.
"What do you mean trying! You're gonna be fine. Look we're nearly here!" I said as tears clouded my vision once more.
"I know when I'm fighting a losing battle. I love you Vinnie. Never forget that." She said as her eyes shut completely.
"Grace wake up. Please wake up! Please!" I said in hysterics as I pulled up to the hospital. I can't lose her. I can't.