Please Me Daddy (Gracie) novel Chapter 33

**Across Distant Skies Lies Hope Waiting To Be Found by Kade Rowan Flint**

**CONTENT:**

“Tell me about that hot boss of yours,” Eleanor teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Grace stepped into the bustling restaurant, instantly enveloped by the mouthwatering aroma of grilled meat mingling with the rich scent of garlic butter. A small smile crept across her face as she took in the lively atmosphere.

It warmed her heart to see this place thriving.

When Eleanor and Wyatt tied the knot, the gossip mill churned relentlessly. Friends and family alike voiced their opinions, questioning their youth, their naivety, and their impulsiveness. Whispers filled the air, speculating on how long it would take before they’d be filing for divorce. Yet, despite the naysayers, Grace had always believed in them.

Eleanor and Wyatt were polar opposites in many ways, but somehow, they complemented each other perfectly. Grace had witnessed their love firsthand—the way their eyes lit up when they saw one another, the playful banter that often escalated into passionate arguments, followed by heartfelt reconciliations.

Perhaps that was why she had invested so much of herself into her relationship with Charles. She craved a love like theirs.

But as she reflected on it, she began to wonder if Charles was truly the issue. Maybe she was the one at fault, burdening the concept of love with unrealistic expectations. Perhaps she had been trying too hard to mold something that wasn’t meant to be into a fairytale romance.

“You have three days, Eleanor,” a mocking voice echoed in her mind, sending a chill down her spine.

Grace froze mid-thought.

What the hell was that?

Why did it keep haunting her, taunting her?

She shook her head vigorously, attempting to dispel the intrusive thought. A frustrated groan escaped her lips as she rubbed her temple, willing the noise in her mind to quiet down.

Why couldn’t she just let it go?

Suddenly, a familiar voice broke through her thoughts.

“Grace!”

Startled, she looked up to see Eleanor waving excitedly from behind the counter, practically bouncing on her toes. An involuntary smile spread across Grace’s face as she made her way over.

“Hey!” she called back, her heart lifting at the sight of her friend.

Wyatt emerged from the kitchen, his broad frame clad in a large apron, his curly hair pulled back into a messy bun. He loomed behind Eleanor like a gentle giant, a comforting presence in the lively chaos.

“Eleanor?” he asked, his brow furrowing slightly. “What are you doing here? Didn’t you leave for work?”

Grace shrugged, trying to sound casual. “I wasn’t feeling too great. They told me to go home and rest.”

She conveniently omitted the fact that she had three days off. Honestly, she had no clue why Apollo had allowed it. Did he feel guilty about what had transpired at the office? She doubted it. A man like him didn’t feel remorse for anyone. He probably just wanted to give her time to mull over the deal. She hadn’t argued; she had simply grabbed her bag and left.

Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. In fact, she had even texted River to postpone their lunch plans until the next day.

Eleanor and Wyatt exchanged a knowing glance, and then Eleanor turned to Grace with a gentle smile. “You must be starving. What do you feel like eating? This beautiful friend of yours will whip it up just for you.”

Before they could protest, Grace slipped behind the counter, pulled off the blonde wig that had been hiding her natural hair, and hung it on a hook at the back. Her real hair cascaded down her shoulders in soft waves. She then removed her glasses and reached for an apron hanging nearby.

“What are you doing?” Wyatt asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise.

“Helping,” she replied simply, tying the apron snugly around her waist. “You’re busy, and I’m here to lend a hand.”

“No, no,” Eleanor interjected quickly. “You’re not helping. You need to rest, Grace. You look like you’ve got a lot on your mind.”

Rolling her eyes, Grace began washing her hands. “I’m living rent-free in your house. I should contribute somehow.”

Wyatt opened his mouth to object, but Grace cut him off.

“Besides, I need to keep myself occupied.”

Eleanor hesitated, her gaze piercing as if she could see right through Grace’s facade. She knew something was troubling her. But instead of pressing for answers, she simply nodded, offering a supportive smile.

“Fine, you can help. But only by taking orders and serving customers.”

Grace saluted playfully, a grin breaking through her earlier tension. “Yes, ma’am!”

With sleeves rolled up, she grabbed a notepad and pen from the counter, ready to dive into the rhythm of the restaurant.

As the night wore on, she wiped down tables and stacked empty plates, each movement providing a momentary distraction from her swirling thoughts. The chairs were already flipped upside down, the lights dimmed low, and the neon sign outside had been turned off.

Finally, the restaurant was closed for the night.

Sighing deeply, she stretched her arms above her head, feeling the tension in her muscles, particularly in her lower back.

Her fingers brushed against a crumpled five-dollar bill tucked into her apron pocket.

“Those people were never your real family. They used you, plain and simple. But you’re not alone in this. You have Eleanor, the twins, and me by your side. We are your family now.”

Looking at both of them, Grace felt a warmth settle in her chest, a sense of belonging that she had longed for.

They were truly a blessing in her life.

Eleanor took a swig straight from the bottle, slamming it down on the table, startling both Wyatt and Grace and breaking the heavy moment.

“Forget those assholes!” she declared fiercely. “That bastard of an ex doesn’t deserve any part of you.”

“Eleanor—” Wyatt began, blinking in surprise.

“I mean it!” she continued, her eyes blazing with determination. “You’re beautiful, smart, and you have this incredible energy about you. Any man should be lucky to even glance your way!”

“And honestly,” Eleanor added, tossing back another shot, “I never understood what you saw in that stuck-up loser anyway. Every time you talked about him, I thought, ‘Really? That guy? She could do so much better.’ He was way below your league.”

Wyatt covered his face with his hand, exasperated. “Eleanor…”

“What? Am I lying?” she shot back. “And also, screw those parents of yours. I swear, they’re going to regret treating you that way. They don’t know a damn thing. They wouldn’t recognize gold if it smacked them in the face with a frying pan.”

Unable to contain herself, Grace burst into laughter, pressing a hand to her face as she shook her head. “God, Eleanor…”

“What?” she snapped playfully.

“You’re not exactly the emotional type.”

Eleanor grinned unabashedly. “Exactly. Why waste your time crying when you can just curse them out? It releases so much more tension. Trust me, I highly recommend it.”

Grace rolled her eyes affectionately. “Therapist of the year, right here.”

With a mischievous glint in her eye, Eleanor leaned forward across the table, resting her chin on her laced fingers.

“So now that we’ve cursed out your awful ex and equally awful parents…” she said in a sing-song tone, her grin widening, “come on. Spill it.”

Grace squinted at her, a mix of curiosity and apprehension. “Spill what?”

“Tell me what’s on your mind, dear Grace.” She reached across the table, cupping Grace’s cheeks and bringing their faces close together.

“Tell me about that hot boss of yours. What happened between you two?”