Protecting What's Mine

Chapter 5: Grace

"What would you say if I throw a small party Friday evening?"

Bringing the glass of iced tea to my lips, I take a drink while contemplating him over the rim. "Exactly how small are we talking?" Because small in my book means roughly a dozen people. More of an intimate gathering of sorts.

Even though he shrugs all casual-like, his blue eyes sparkle with humor. Yep, he knows exactly what's running through my brain. "Maybe a hundred. Somewhere in that vicinity."

I almost spit my tea across the table. "A hundred? In what universe is that considered small?"

"Two-fifty would be large."

"I don't know one hundred people."

"After Friday night, you will. Which is precisely why we're throwing this shindig. We need a way to get you back out there again. And this does the job rather nicely."

From across the table, I make a face. I don't think I was ever out there to begin with. "Who would you invite?" Total strangers? Randoms off the street?

He shrugs as if the actual guest list is a non-issue. "Oh, some work colleagues. Friends of mine. People who knew your parents."

He must catch a glimpse of the shadows still lurking in my eyes when he brings up Mom and Dad. You'd think I would be desensitized to it by now, but I'm not. The pain still has the ability to slice through me at the most unexpected of moments. Softly he says, "I thought you might enjoy reacquainting yourself with some of their old friends."

I force a smile even though it feels like my throat is closing up. I appreciate what Dominic's trying to do and don't want to appear ungrateful. "That sounds nice."

He nabs my fingers and gives them a gentle squeeze. "I'm just excited that you're here. I think a party would help you meet some new people. It's not going to be a big, fancy deal. We're talking casual."

Although I have no desire to be thrust so quickly into the Chicago social scene, I can't say no. Dominic has been wonderful to me these past two years. I'm grateful for everything he's done. Without me asking, he swooped in and took care of all the responsibilities that should have fallen on my ill-equipped shoulders.

The funeral.

The house.

The will.

The inheritance.

The insurance policies.

Everything I had been unable to wrap my head around those first few months after the accident. Almost two years later, and he's still dealing with all of it. The sale of this condo went through him. And he's already settled my fall tuition bill at Northwestern.

Deep down, I know he's right. I may not want this party, but I need it. I need someone to force me out of the self-imposed hibernation I've been stuck in. It's not like I have any friends here. The few I had, I eventually lost touch with.

Like Chloe.

My childhood best friend.

It didn't happen right away. We continued texting and FaceTiming after I moved to Seattle. And up until college, we visited one another regularly. But after my parents died, even Chloe couldn't penetrate the deep fog that sucked me under. The yawning physical distance separating us was just too much to overcome. After a while, no longer able to put up a good front, I stopped responding to her calls and texts.

I allowed our friendship to fall by the wayside.

Now, almost two years later, I regret icing her out. Once I'm settled, I have every intention of getting back in touch with her. For right now though, I'm taking things one step at a time. Slow, deliberate steps that continue to propel me forward, closer to the life I envision myself living.

Which is what this party will help achieve.

I almost groan as that thought pierces my consciousness.

"Okay," I finally grumble.

Dominic squints as if he doesn't believe that I've agreed to his party proposal. "Okay? That's it? No cajoling? No begging? You're capitulating, just like that?" His eyes narrow further.

For some odd reason, his reaction lightens my heart. I can't help but chuckle. Slowly, as if it's painful to voice the words out loud, I say, "You're right. A party is exactly what I need. Meeting some new people along with a few old ones who worked with my parents will be good for me." I suck in a deep breath before pushing out the rest. "It might even be fun."

Not looking the least bit convinced by my sudden acquiescence, he scrutinizes me for a moment before saying, "All right, Grace Elizabeth Castile, what kind of sly trickery are you trying to pull? A little reverse psychology, is it? Or are you about to hit me with some outrageous bill and you're trying to soften the blow?"

I snort at the accusation. "I promise, there's no trickery at work here." An evil smile spreads across my face. "But there is a bill I need you to pay."

Wearing a smug expression, he folds his arms across his chest. "I knew it."

I chortle in response. "Just kidding! There aren't any bills right now." My eyes travel around my new condo, which has been furnished with a few antiques from my parents' house along with some new things I've picked up since moving here. It's a mixture of traditional and modern, and I love it.

As my eyes slide over each piece, I realize how me this condo is turning out to be. I spent the last four years living in the dorms with a roommate. It's nice to have a place all to myself. "I think I've spent more than enough over the last two months." I paid for the condo in cash with money from my inheritance. Plus, the school tuition bill. And some furniture.

I feel like I should be tapped out.

Changing tones, he quickly reminds me, "You don't have to worry about money, Gracie. You're fine. Quite honestly, you won't have to worry about money for the rest of your life. You don't have to work, if you don't want to."

After I graduated from college, Dominic told me that I could simply volunteer at a museum if that's what I really wanted to do. I don't need an income. Between the inheritance from my grandparents and the insurance policy money from my parents' death, I've got more than enough to sustain me for the long run. Especially if it's invested wisely, which is what I rely on Dominic for.