Free Granted Wishes (The Granted Series Book 1) by Tanya Vought Page A

amazed by the kindness in this town. “Thanks for giving me a discount. But know that, wherever we go for dinner, it’ll be my treat.”
    “That sounds good to me. I just want to give you a head’s up that I’ll now order the most expensive dinner on the menu,” Kat says behind them.
    “Kat, grow up for once. Your crazy personality will get the best of you one of these days.” Mara lightly hits her arm while she walks around her to place garbage in the trashcan.
    Mara looks at Gracelynn. “You’ll have to excuse her. She must’ve been dropped on her head when she was a child.”
    Gracie laughs as she watches these two best friends.
    “I can certainly see that.”
    Kat laughs with a devilish look in her eyes.
    “It’ll be a few more minutes,” Mara lets them know while she continues to straighten up.
    Kat looks down at the wooden floor. “I’ll be right back. I need to use the rest room.”
    Gracelynn watches her leave and has a suspicion that Kat is up to no good.

Chapter 13
    GIO THROWS HIS PEN DOWN on his sleek glass desk top. He glares down at his scattered documents, unable to concentrate. That damn woman has taken over his entire brain. Never has he let a woman take hold of him like this. Not even Lizzie ever got to him this way.
    He turns in his smooth, black chair, looking out the large window in his office in hopes to clear his head. His phone chirps behind him, which agitates him. He grunts and swivels his chair around. Glancing at his phone, he notices it’s a photo message of Gracelynn smiling radiantly in Mara’s shop. She’s smoking hot and he can’t keep his eyes off her. Another ding from his phone, signaling a message from Kat, makes him turn away from the amazing photo.
    Kat: Hey bro! Check out Gracelynn. Doesn’t she look even hotter with the makeover? We’re going for dinner. You should stop by and say hi.
    Damn, Gracelynn looks fine. She looks better than fine and something below agrees with him. Down boy.
    Gio: Hi sis. What time and where are you going?
    His palms sweat. Goodbye Mr. Confident. He can’t believe that his sister… well, the woman he thought was his sister, is up to no good. Instantly his phone lights up again.
    Kat: We’re leaving in fifteen minutes tops and going to Sal’s Pizza Palace. Can you make it?
    Hell, can he make it? He’ll make it, no matter what it takes.
    His fingers can’t hit the keys fast enough. Not only does he want to go, but Sal’s Pizza Palace is his favorite restaurant as well.
    Gio: Yes, I can make it. Thanks for the invite!
    * * *
    “Why don’t we take Gracelynn to our fabulous Sal’s Pizza Palace, Mara? I think she’ll love Sal’s pizza.”
    Mara nods her head. “Sounds good to me. I hope you like pizza, Gracelynn, since it looks like Kat here already decided for us.”
    “Oh yes, I love it! Pizza and fries together are my favorite.” Just thinking about greasy cheese and tomato sauce makes her mouth water. “Can we go now? I’m starving for this famous Sal’s pizza.”
    * * *
    Gracelynn is shocked when they arrive at the small bistro-styled pizzeria. It was not what she pictured. A large, brick oven for pizzas immediately catches her eye. Italian music fills the air as she takes in her surroundings. Red brick fills the top portion of the walls, showcasing pictures of famous people all over the world. About twenty tables fill the room along with a small bar and kid section, which she notices right away from the cute sign, ‘Children are welcome to graffiti our walls.’ In that section there’s a chalkboard wall to allow children to draw while their food is being prepared. Gracelynn loves it and finds it a fabulous idea to keep children calm while they wait with their parents. Everything in the town is too good to be true… right out of a fairy tale.
    A young man approaches them. “Hello, ladies.” He smiles at Mara and Kat. “How nice to see you again.” He turns to Gracelynn and gives her a sparkling smile as well.