I see the same thing on the faces of every local in Flamingo’s.
“I don’t think so.” I curl my fingers into my palms, grasping to keep hold of my faith in Frankie’s promise to fix what Wild Coast is doing. “That doesn’t really sound like her, does it? She stopped Rancho Mirage from ruining our town. I think she’s got a soft spot for us.”
“I think she forgot all about us the minute she went back to her old life.” Gerry stabs at his eggs. The rest of the Mafia nods their agreement.
Before they sway me to their side, I take outmy phone to text Frankie, doubting she’ll reply, but I’ve still got to check on her.
You okay? Saw the stories in the Daily.
I eat slow, checking my messages every few minutes. I sip my coffee, listen to Larry, Barry, and Gerry rag each other with Flo joining in. It’s all background noise. I consider calling. I even pick up the phone to do it. Then I set it back down.
I don’t hear back.
I can’t ignore the signs anymore. Frankie’s silence means one thing. She wants distance. She’s moved on.
I have to let her go—especially since Junie has stopped asking to watch Frankie’s video every day. She talks about Frankie’s happy birthday call, but she hasn’t asked to see her. She’s stopped asking when Frankie’s coming back.
So maybe it’s time I move on too.
I push out of my seat and toss a twenty on the counter at the same time bells on the door announce someone coming in.
Everything goes quiet. I look over my shoulder, following everyone’s eyes to the door. To the woman standing there, eyes hidden behind big sunglasses and her hair tucked under my camo Barry’s Bait and Tackle hat.
No one moves. We all know who she is.
Frankie slides off the sunglasses. Her eyes are tear-streaked, but she offers a tentative smile and a soft hello.
Then her eyes go to mine.
“My dad died. I didn’t know where else to go.” Her voice breaks, and I rush to her.
With a sob, she falls into my arms, and I guide her to the back. Flo points to her office like I need direction. But I’m already headed there. I shut the door and lean against it. Silence hangs over us like aheavy curtain ready to drop. All I can do is stare across the room at Frankie, feeling guilty about how happy I am when she’s so sad. But she’s here, and I can’t stop the smile spreading across my face.
“I’m sorry, Cal. I shouldn’t have come back after I ghosted you, but I didn’t know where else to go.” She drops her eyes to the gumball machine and runs her hand over its glass globe as a tear streams down her cheek.
“I’m glad you came.” I resist the urge to move closer. I can't tell who's more skittish, Frankie or me.
She wipes away her tear. “I didn’t think Malcolm’s death would hit me this hard. Things were always so rough with him, but we loved each other in our own way, I guess.” She sniffs, then locks her eyes on mine. “You’re the only person I knew who’d understand what that feels like”
“Yeah,” I nod and tuck my hands behind my back, pressing my palms into the door, determined to stay where I am until she’s said everything she needs to. No matter how much I want to hold her.
She lets out a long, staggered breath, then paces the room, walking back and forth across the ten feet. “It’s just… it’s so complicated. All these feelings. There’s relief, but also so much sadness. Like I shouldn’t miss him. But I do. You know what I mean?”
Her eyes find mine again. They remind me of the tide pools at the cove, shining green with trapped water. They pull me closer. I want to see everything in their depths.
“Yeah. That’s how I felt when Kayla died. We shared all of this history, good and bad.”
Frankie nods. “Exactly. Why does it have to be so complicated?”
I lift my shoulders and hold out my hand. “Relationships always are.”
She takes my hand and steps into my arms, resting there with a sigh. “What do I do next?”
I kiss the top of her head, then lay my cheek there. “You stay here. Just take it a day at a time.”
She shakes her head against my chest. “I was trying not to come back, Cal. I wanted to let you go…for your own good. For Junie’s.”
“Neither of us wants to be let go, Frankie.”
