| Chapter Five |
| Grace was going inside. Eventually. Just as soon as she worked up enough courage or turned into Cindy Crawford. Whichever came first. But for now, she was going to sit in the nearly deserted restaurant across the street and enjoy her glass of water. From her seat by the window, she could see the last few stragglers making their way into Justin?s party. Looking at the clock on the wall, she was shocked to see it was 11 pm; the invitations she was sure had said 9. The funny thing was that Justin had arrived only a half hour earlier with a huge entourage. She wouldn?t have even known it was him if she hadn?t seen a quick flash of Lynn?s dress as they walked in arm in arm. Justin was allowed to show up late though since it was his surprise birthday party, but apparently everyone else had mistaken the surprise part as ?surprise us with what time you show up?. She?d been the only one to arrive at 9. Like the nerd she was, she?d assumed that everyone else was as punctual as her. That was until the bouncer at the door had informed her that in his five years on the job, nobody had ever arrived on time. Apparently, everyone but Grace knew that it was customary to be fashionably late. Thoroughly embarrassed, she?d made her escape into the first place she saw. Here she was, two hours later, still trying to work up the nerve to face the same bouncer. ?More water?? Grace looked up to find her waiter peering down at her, a pitcher of water in his hand. ?Yes, thank you.? He nodded and refilled her glass. Like he had many times before, he waited a few moments to see if she was finally going to order. Grace did her best to ignore his expectant look, concentrating on her napkin until he finally gave up and left. She felt guilty about taking up a table with no intention of ordering, but she only had five dollars and a piece of gum in her purse. Sparing a quick glance at the manager behind the cash register who?d been giving her looks all night, Grace decided it was time to face the music. Grabbing Justin?s present, which she?d wrapped in wonderfully economic newspaper, Grace was digging out her five dollar bill to leave as a tip when she heard the cashier?s panicked voice. ?Oh dear God! Walter get the V.I.P. section ready! Hurry! Hurry!? There was a brief moment of silence before a gust of wind signaled the entrance of another customer. ?Welcome to Luc?s, sir,? there was a definite tone of reverence in the manager?s voice now, ?We?re preparing the V.I.P. room right this minute.? Grace didn?t pay any attention; the Queen of England could have walked through the door for all she cared. She was far too busy practicing how she would say ?Happy Birthday? to Justin. It had to be perfect. ?There?s no need for that. I?m just here for a quick drink. I?ll just have a seat at the bar.? Every muscle in Grace?s body froze. She could recognize the sound of Justin?s voice anywhere. ?Anything you wish, sir.? For a brief moment, a look of uncertainty crossed the manager?s features, but it was quickly replaced with a determined face. With the poise of a naval officer, the man?s voice was considerably deeper when he proclaimed, ?If I may say, it is a great honor to personally wish you a happy birthday, Mr. Timberlake. I speak for the entire staff of Luc?s when I say that we are ecstatic you would chose to visit us on your special day.? Justin had obviously heard the same thing or something similar because he didn?t bat an eyelash at the puffed-up birthday wish. He simply inclined his head in thanks and inquired about the specialty drinks. Grace watched in interest as Justin and the manager headed in the direction of the bar, their conversation fading. Justin looked extremely handsome tonight. But then again, when didn?t he? Half awake and in pajamas, he made her breath catch, so tonight, when he had actually worked on his appearance, Grace could barely function. Thinking about appearance drew her attention to the fact that she was severely lacking in that department. Shrinking deep into her seat, Grace silently prayed that Justin wouldn?t recognize. That is, until she remembered that Justin had no idea who she was. Was it possible to be both relieved and disappointed at the same time? ?Are you leaving, ma?am?? Still frowning from her troubling thoughts, Grace nodded and handed her tip to the waiter. ?I guess my date?s not going to show.? She hated lying, but it was better than looking completely pathetic. With a nod, he folded his tip and hurried off to see to one of his other tables. Grace grabbed all her belongs and practically ran to the front door, trying her best to not look in Justin?s direction. As long as the birthday boy was here, she had the perfect excuse for skipping the party. Lynn would understand. Halting mid-step, Grace recalled that Justin had come in alone. He?d left his own party. The party that she and Lynn had worked so hard to make perfect for him. Anger quickly replaced nervousness, and before she realized what she was doing, Grace was marching to the bar. Justin didn?t notice her approach. He was seated on a barstool, patiently awaiting his drink. Grace was careful not to let her emotions get the best of her when she called his name. Justin turned in his seat. His eyes gave her a once over before settling on her face. ?I?m not signing autographs today. Sorry.? ?Where I come from the birthday boy is usually at his party.? Justin frowned, studying her face. ?Excuse me?? With an image of Lynn?s excited face in her mind, Grace gruffly responded, ?Why aren?t you at your party?? ?Do I know you?? Seeing that they weren?t getting anywhere, Grace decided not to answer his question with another of hers. ?Grace Macgregor. I?m your mother?s-? ?Personal assistant,? he finished, ?I thought you looked familiar.? For a brief second, she was thrilled that he recognized her at all, but she would have more time for girlish mooning later. ?Your mother worked very hard to plan your party.? ?I know. She did an amazing job.? ?So why are you here?? ?Just needed to get away for a little while,? he shrugged, ?I?m going back.? He?d sounded indifferent as if it was nothing at all, but something in his voice caught Grace?s attention. Something was wrong. ?Why don?t you sit and have a drink with me? I hate to drink alone,? Justin said, motioning to his left. Tomorrow she would replay the invitation in her head and giggle like a little girl, but for now, she simply took the empty barstool next to him. ?Wanna talk about it?? Ignoring her question, his eyes turned to the gift in her hands. ?Aww?you didn?t have to buy me anything.? ?Who says it?s for you? Not every present is yours.? She regretted the words as they flew out of her mouth; she had every intention of apologizing, but Justin?s laughing stopped her. She?d made him laugh! Feeling delightfully playful and not wanting the feeling to end, she impulsively added, ?I could be on my way to another party for all you know.? ?In that case, tell Justin I said happy birthday.? ?Huh?? With that mischievous grin she loved, he pointed to his name written in bright red marker on the wrapping. Faking a disgruntled groan, Grace held out her awkwardly wrapped gift. ?Since you?ve outsmarted me, I guess you can open it now.? She?d planned on being far, far away when he opened it, but there was no way to make an escape without looking foolish. Justin eagerly took his present, looking adorably like a little boy on his first Christmas. ?Thank you. I love the wrapping.? She watched as he ripped of the wrapping, uncovering the shoe box that held his present. Grace?s heart was pounding. This was going to be embarrassing; she could feel it. Justin was going to think she was crazy when he realized she?d gotten him a?. ?A teddy bear?? |