Saving Grace #Wattys2016

Chapter Twenty One

     While Ella and I were having fun in town, we were also being watched. Hayden West followed the pair without being discovered.

  "They went to the bookstore." He told his sister. "Showtime." Maria flipped her hair one last time before entering the cozy bookstore with a swirl of wind behind her. I kept the moan from coming out my mouth when I saw her; why couldn't she just leave me alone. Yes, Hardy's mine, get over it.

  "Why, Grace, what chances were to meet you here!" Maria smiled so sweetly it almost looked evil. "And with your friend. Maria West." She held out her hand like Ella was supposed to kiss it.

  "Isabella Roman-, Delgado, actually. I'm a newlywed."

  "How fabulous!" Maria gasped in excitement, which was totally faked.

  "I know. Now I'm just waiting for this one and Hardy to tie the knot." Thank God for Ella's catching on so quick because Maria's smile lowered in wattage.

  "I didn't know you two were getting so serious." She hissed out that smile.

  "Yes, we are." It was my turn to let out a smile bit this one was real.

  "And where is he? I did see the car outside."

  "He didn't drive, I did. He's at my house with his family. My mother just got engaged so we're having a celebration."

  "Engaged?" Maria almost shrieked. God, I was enjoying this. "To Parker Hathaway?" I nodded. "Well, that's something to definitely celebrate. I still have some errands to run. Nice to see the both of you." And Maria whirled out the store just as she came in. Why were things falling apart so fast? She thought. The rest of town had seen Grace with Hardy, a painful kick in the gut but her mother's ex with that boyfriend stealer's mother? That was just unacceptable. She rounded the corner where Hayden stood and relayed the new information.

  "Are you sure?" His sister nodded. "I don't believe this. Okay." Hayden ran around to the other side of the alley that was their only way home. In perfect timing, he saw the two girls walking alone. He laughed at how easy his job was going to be since they both looked and dressed good but his main focus was on one girl. "Hey, Grace." The devil called to me, blocking our only entrance back home. "Funny meeting you here."

  "Yeah, funny. I just saw your sister around the corner."

  "I was looking for her." He stopped me as we tried to swoop around him.

  "How've you been? Wait, who's this lovely lady?"

  "My friend, Ella Delgado." I answered for Ella; she knew who he was and was too afraid to speak. I wasn't too far behind her.

  "Hello." She spilled out. His eyes lit up at the sound of her voice and mine lit in anger; if he tried anything on her....

  "Carlos's sister?"

  "No, wife. We actually have to head back home. Our families are waiting for us. Nice meeting you." She pulled my hand to our escape.

  "I hope to see you again, Grace." Hayden turned around, his eyes following me

out the alley. I sincerely hoped we wouldn't.

     By time I pulled into the driveway back home, the shakes and tremors of Maria and Hayden's run-ins had died down.