I want that for Junie. A woman who can anticipate her needs, then smile adoringly at her. Mom does that, but she’s the grandma. Junie needs a mom.
Not Frankie. I’m not saying that. Way too soon to even be thinking it. I can’t find the time or money to take Frankie out on one date, let alone make wedding plans.
But maybe this afternoon could be a trial run. We’re obviously interested in each other, and I still need help with Junie. Before Frankie and I fan the spark between us into something more, she should know what she’s getting into with me as a single dad. An afternoon with Junie will open her eyes to what she’s in for with me. Or… it could scare her away.
I hope the second doesn’t happen, but it seems only fair to give Frankie a chance to run now rather than later when it would be harder on both of us.
Frankie’s fingers fly deftly over the buttons at the back of Junie’s dress. When she’s finished, she undoes one of Junie’s pigtails andredoes it.
“I can never get those straight.” I laugh.
She smiles.
My pulse picks up, and I take a breath. It’s now or never.
“Are you busy this afternoon after work?”
Frankie’s face lights up, and I realize my misstep. She thinks I’m about to ask her out...finally. I scramble to fix my mistake, and my words spill out in a jumbled mess.
“I’m in kind of a bind and could use some help with Junie. I wouldn’t ask if I had any other options…”
Her face falls, but only long enough to find her usual teasing grin. “Good to know I’m a last resort.”
“That’s not what I meant.” I shake my head, trying to put my thoughts straight. “I only…I don’t want to impose. It’s a big ask. Forget I said anything.”
“I need to go potty.” Junie holds out her arms for Frankie, which surprises Frankie almost as much as my question.
I step between them and grab Junie, grateful for an excuse to hide in the stall until I can act like a man again, not some awkward teenager who’s never talked to a girl before.
I carry Junie into the stall and lock it, expecting to hear Frankie walk out of the bathroom instead of waiting around to see if Junie’s bladder or her imagination drove us in here.
Junie, in the meantime, swings her feet back and forth, giving me the Bingo tutorial I’d offered Frankie.
“Don’t touch the seat, sweetie,” I tell her, still listening for signs of Frankie.
Junie lets go, but with her feet still swinging, her bottom slips into the toilet with a soft splash. “Oops. I stuck, Daddy.”
Frankie giggles.
I just shake my head and sit Junie back on the edge of the seat. “Quiet feet and hands on your knees, please.”
Junie sits up straight, clutches her knees, and begins singing, “Knees and toes. Knees and toes. Knees and toes.”
I shake my head, unbutton her dress and slip the second wet outfit of the day over her head. I knew I should have packed more than two extras.
When I carry naked Junie back out of the stall, to my surprise—and relief—Frankie’s still there.
“Okay,” she says.
“Okay?”
She nods then her mouth curves into a soft, untrained smile. A smile I haven’t seen on her before.
A smile that cracks open her Fran McVey persona and gives me a glimpse of the Frankie Forsythe I want to get to know.
Chapter 5
Frankie
