All or Nothing at All (Stevens Book 3)

Chapter 2

The next morning Grace decided that it was business as usual, and she put on her best black pinstripe pantsuit while telling herself that her professional appearance would help her appear competent and someone worth trusting. Next, she put on her heels, which added two inches to her height, then she pulled her hair back at the nape of her neck, before placing her glasses firmly on the bridge of her nose.

Now she stood before the mirror as she once again talked herself out of putting on one of her pretty little sundresses and letting her hair down so that she would appear more feminine, but a glance at the clock told her she had no more time left, so she grabbed her satchel and purse and raced out the door.

When she entered the restaurant, which was just around the corner from where she lived, she saw Bryce sitting at a table alone, looking at his phone. He was completely unaware of the glances he was getting from the waitresses behind the counter. He must have just arrived because they were fighting over who would get to wait on his table.

Grace couldn't help but watch the drama unfold. The two older ones gave up first so that it eventually came down to the two younger ones. There was a very hushed but heated conversation that a young redhead won, and Grace watched as she walked over to the table and smiled at Bryce.

He glanced up from his phone and gave her a polite smile, motioning to his cup before glancing around the restaurant, his eyes eventually landing on Grace. His gaze slowly traveled from the top of her head to the tips of her toes, but there was nothing other than recognition on his face.

The waitress followed his gaze and frowned when she saw Grace.

Grace gave a polite smile of her own by way of a greeting as she moved towards the booth, and she tried not to shiver as his gaze never left her.

"Bryce," she greeted as she sat.

"Grace."

When the waitress offered her coffee, she declined and asked for water instead.

"I bet that happens to you all the time." Grace nodded to the retreating waitress.

"What happens to me all the time?" He pocketed his phone, waiting for her to continue.

"Waitresses fighting over you." Grace picked up a menu studying it, suddenly embarrassed that she had even mentioned it, afraid that it made her sound jealous; which she wasn't.

Bryce only shrugged in response, he wasn't easily embarrassed nor did he try to deny it. He was a man who knew his effect on women, and for some reason, Grace found the thought upsetting.  Generally, men who knew they were attractive and thought they were God's gift turned her off, but the opposite seemed to be true with Bryce.

If she was fair, he hadn't acted like he was God's gift, and he hadn't even noticed the waitresses, a little voice in Grace's head reminded her. She pushed it aside, she needed some defense against this man and tagging him with an over-inflated ego would be the easiest thing to believe.

"You look lovely this morning." Bryce smiled his most charming smile, but once again it didn't quite reach his eyes.

Grace gave a calm little smile, glad that he had made the blanket statement with no real sincerity.

"You look nice yourself." She nodded towards his suit and tie, returning the compliment, but Grace couldn't help but be sincere.  He did look very nice.

"Oh, this old thing, I just threw it on," he said, giving her a glimpse of a sense of humor that she had no interest in acknowledging afraid that he would think she was trying to flirt with him.

"Look Bryce, can I be honest?"

He was watching her, his face passive, "Please, it will make a nice change." He thanked the waitress as she delivered their drinks.