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Most of the time, anyway.
Fortunately for her, I need an excuse to get off the call with my family, so I take it. “Hey guys, it’s getting late. I’m going to hop off. Sheila, I think Ada is asleep.” I interrupt my dad’s story about the snowstorm they expect later in the week and Sheila flashes a grateful smile.
“Where are you going, Frankie?” Mom is the worst at getting off a call.
“Nowhere, Mom. I’m just tired. Love you all!” I wave and click myself out of the chat before my mom can ask any more questions.
I glance around my apartment while I wait for my game to load. I should probably do laundry before tomorrow, but there’s always that guy from the unit above me using the complex’s washer and dryer unit on Monday nights. Deciding it can wait, I scan the active player list for my friends. Besides, it’s only Emma, no need to dress up.
Famous last words.
I’d recognize that hair anywhere. Unfortunately, the scarf and leather jacket he’s wearing ruin this unexpected opportunity to study the tattoos I know peek out from under his shirt. The mystery of what it is will have to wait.
“Emma?” The gangly teen standing next to him is staring at the girl beside me. He turns his back on the group of teens he was talking with to face us. The smile on his face one of genuine surprise and delight. “Uh, hi.” He gives me an awkward wave. “How’s your face?”
“Oh gosh, Liam, I had no idea you would be here.” Emma’s fake-surprised tone doesn’t fool me. I smack the side of her leg nearest me and get a grin in response. “What movie are you seeing?” She slides past me to talk to Liam.
“Hey, Frankie.” A large hand rests on my elbow, pulling me to the side. “What are you doing here? Your face looks better than yesterday.” His ice-blue eyes stare down at me, his head tipped to one side, regarding me. He takes my chin in his hand, turning my face from side to side as he inspects it.
“Seeing a movie.” The smartass comment pops out before I know what I’m doing. I’m rewarded by the slow grin that creeps across Julian’s face, lighting up his usual scowl into something warmer. An answering smile creeps across my face before he drops his fingers from my chin and steps back.
“What a coincidence. Liam and I are too. Are Sophie and Theo here?” He looks around, tall enough to see over the heads of most of the crowd.
“Nope, they’re on a date,” Emma interrupts.
“Apparently they’re on a date, and I’m a sucker for a sixteen-year-old who loves horror movies as much as me.” I stuff my hands in my pockets, suddenly unsure of what to do with them. Cold wind whips through the open space in front of the theater. I shiver as it sneaks under the edge of my jacket, wishing I’d brought my scarf.
Julian steps to the side, blocking the wind. “You like horror movies? I never would have…” He trails off, looking me up and down.
“You never would have expected cute little Frankie Davenport to have a thing for horror movies?” I roll my eyes, bringing out the snark I usually only let out when I’m safely behind a computer screen. But Julian’s already seen my snarky side, the one I hardly ever let out at work. “You’re not the first person to say that. Just because I look like this”—I wave a hand up and down my body—“Doesn’t mean I’m not as bloodthirsty as someone who looks like you.”
I poke his chest to emphasize my words, and it’s hard and solid under my finger, just like I remember. I must imagine that his eyes drop to my chest before snapping back to my face.
“Ow.” The smile drops from his eyes and a cold look replaces it, before he grins and winks. A shiver runs up my spine. His stare turns warm as his eyes drop to my lips, and a matching warmth creeps up the back of my neck.
What is wrong with me?
“Hey, Dad?” The gangly boy talking to Emma turns around, interrupting the staring contest between us. “Can Emma sit with us?”
Emma catches my eye with a little finger wiggle before mouthing, “Please.”
She has no idea how much ammunition she’s just handed me.
I file Emma’s crush on Liam in the back of my head so I can deal with the other half of the problem. “I guess I don’t mind sitting alone. Even after you asked me to come with you.” I add as much sarcastic insincerity to my words as possible, giving Emma a long look. I’m rewarded by the bright pink of her cheeks and the way her shoulders scrunch up to her ears.
“You can sit with us too—” Liam starts, but is cut off by the man who has my mind tied up in confused knots.
“How about us old farts will sit a few rows back so you guys can”—Julian gives Liam a meaningful look—“watch the movie.”
Another shiver runs down my spine at the deep rumble in Julian’s voice. His son grins and gives him a thumbs up while Emma uncurls from her turtle-like position with a wiggle.
“Thanks, Mr. Lockwood.” Emma smiles up at him and gets a raised eyebrow in return. I look away to hide the pink in my own cheeks at how the look sends butterflies rioting through me.
What is wrong with me? It’s Julian. My work buddy. Occasional lunch date. We’ve never hung out outside of work hours, but I’d never thought of him as more than that, until now. Suddenly I’m dreaming about his growly voice and his broad shoulders. But guys like him, who exude effortless confidence, don’t date girls like me—an awkward, anxious mouse. It’s all Raj and Manesh’s fault for putting the stupid idea in my head to bring a fake date to the launch party.
It’s probably Lauren’s fault too, somehow.
“You don’t mind, do you?” Julian’s question snaps me from my thoughts. “You don’t have to sit with me if it makes you uncomfortable. I just didn’t want to…um…” He runs a hand over the back of his neck, transforming into a version of himself I’ve only ever seen once before—when he stumbled into the room where I was changing at Mr. Sutton’s house. “We should talk. Make a plan. Right?”
