1
GRACE
I cannot startmy day without an extra-large cup of coffee. And on days like today, the only coffee that will do is the stuff made by my sister-in-law, Chloe, at the bookstore next to my tattoo shop.
I crash through the door of the bookstore, expecting to see my brother’s wife behind the counter, looking nerdy and precious as she always does in her cargo pants and boots. Instead, I’m smacked with a sight I wish I could unsee.
Tucked into the back pockets of Chloe’s tan cargo pants are my brother’s hands, and his face is nuzzled into the crook of her neck.
“Shit, Franco.” I halfway cover my eyes, keeping a space between two fingers to see, and stalk to the counter. “It’s too early for that.”
My brother lifts his face from Chloe’s neck, his eyes looking love-drunk and his lips looking disgustingly puffy.
I groan again and wave a hand in front of me. “Don’t you both have jobs to do instead of groping each other?”
Franco snorts and smooths back his hair. The bastard has the nerve to look smug when I’m the one whose eyeballs are forever sullied.
“Did you see the sign on the door?” He jerks a thumb toward the entrance that I just burst through. “Store emergency. The plumbing is all jacked up. Carpet’s wet. The whole nine. Chloe had to close for the day while she waits for a plumber.”
Chloe looks at me with a sweet grin. “We’re closed to the public, Gracie, but I figured you’d come in for your coffee. That’s why I left the door unlocked. You’re right on time. I have it ready and waiting.”
“I’m going to come behind that counter and smooch your face off. I love you so much right now,” I say on a sigh.
Instead, I blow Chloe a kiss and watch as she adjusts her clothes while she runs back into the small kitchen to pour my coffee.
I slap my brother on the shoulder, then rest my elbows on the front counter. “You two are gross. Isn’t that shit supposed to end after you get married?”
Franco ruffles my hair. “Jealous much?”
I smack him a second time. He’s a jerk.
“So, what the hell happened to the plumbing?”
Franco frowns. “Don’t know. Chloe doesn’t think it happened here, though. I took a peek when I shut off the water. Might be a building-wide problem. Tree roots breaking the sewer line or maybe one of the other tenants clogged the drains. You guys okay next door?”
I shake my head. “I haven’t opened the shop yet. I came here first.” This news makes a sucky morning even suckier. “Fuck,” I sigh and rake a hand through my hair.
Franco lifts a brow at me. “You’re extra salty today. You okay?”
But my eldest brother’s right. On top of my normal snark, today, I’ve got anxiety practically oozing from my pores.
What’s going on with me is something I haven’t shared with anyone yet. I’m definitely not ready for that at this hour.
Franco has always been the most helicopter brother of the three male Bianchis, but this… If any one of them found out what was going on with me, I’d never hear the end of it.
“Earth to Gracie.” Franco cocks his head, studying my face as though he can read my mind.
Thank God that’s not a thing. I’d never have a moment’s peace if my mother or brothers could see inside my head.
“Just need my coffee,” I say dismissively. “I didn’t sleep well last night.”
“Me either. I was up half the night with Violet.” Franco leans across the counter and taps my nose with a finger. “You want to come to our place for dinner tonight? You got plans?”
I shrug. “I’m working until seven. We’ll see how I feel. If I can’t keep my eyes open, it’s better if I go home after work than come over. Or else I might end up sleeping on your couch.”
Franco stares at me with a puzzled look on his face, but then Chloe comes back with an extra-large cup of coffee in each hand.
“You looked like you could use a double today,” she says sweetly.
