“I’m not hiding, Flo. I didn’t have anything to do with Wild Coast breaking contracts, but I’m doing everything I can to fix it.”
Her face softens enough I’m not afraid of being spooned to death, but she’s still mad. “That’s not the only thing we’re upset about.”
“There’s more?” I look to Cal to see if he knows but he shrugs and shakes his head.
“You barely said goodbye when you left, then you don’t reach out to any of us? You don’t tell us where you are or that your dad is dying? We’re supposed to be your friends, Frankie.” Her chin quivers, and she pulls in her lips.
All I can do is blink. Seconds pass before I’m able to piece together some words. “I thought I was doing the right thing. You’d already lost your cove and your seclusion because of me. Then I found out about Wild Coast and knew everyone would think I had a part in it.” I stop and shake my head. “I didn’t think you or the Mafia or Pearl or anyone else would ever want to see me again.”
Flo’s mouth twists into an angrier curve. “Don’t be ridiculous! You knew how we felt about you. You could have checked in every once in a while. You could have told us what was happening with Wild Coast. We would have believed you over some news story. We trusted you. You should have trusted us.”
I know how Flo feels about hugs, but I don’t care. I throw my arms around her and bury my head in her shoulder. “You’re right. I’m so sorry, Flo. I really thought you’d be happy to be rid of me.”
She returns my hug with a loose one of her own and a gentle pat on my back. “You ninny. We’re your family. Why would we want to get rid of you?”
I pull away to look her in the face. “We’re family?”
“Of course.” She scoffs and rolls her eyes like I’ve asked a stupid question. “Unless we’re not good enough for you now that you’re back in Hollywood.”
“Don’t be ridiculous!” I copy her scoff. “You’re too good for me. I’m lucky you want to keep me around after everything I’ve put you through.”
A smile almost slips out before she points her spoon toward the dining room. “You’d better tell the rest of them the same thing. No sneaking out the back.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Cal takes my hand and leads me into the dining room, which goes silent as we go through instead of around. Not one of the Oatmeal Mafia members tries to say hello.They stare into their coffee cups like I’m not there, although I catch a glance from Barry whose eyes go to my hat. I swear he’s fighting a smile.
When we reach the door, I turn to face the room and everyone in it. Summer season is over and tourists are gone. There are only a few people I don’t recognize, but I don’t care anymore. I’m not running from cameras. I’m not running from bad press. I’m not running, period.
“I didn’t know what they were doing,” I say loudly enough that almost everyone looks at me. Not Gerry, though. “Wild Coast. With the Sanctuary, I mean. That’s not an excuse. But I want you to know I wouldn’t do this to you.”
I glance at Cal for support. With his nod, I face the angry faces again. “I’m doing everything I can to make sure the promises we made are kept, not because it’s the right thing to do, but because…you’re my family.”
I stop and wait. Not sure what for. Applause? Maybe.
Definitely not confused looks from the strangers and silence from everyone else.
So, I turn and go.
But before I make it through the door, Gerry calls. “Whether you fix it or not...”
On his pause, I turn around. Whatever he has to say, it should be to my face, not while I’m leaving.
“We love you, Frankie,” he finishes, looking a bit flustered.
Barry and Larry nod together, and Pearl does something with her mouth that could be a smile or reflux.
“I love you, too!” And I mean it. I’d mean it if they were still casting dirty looks at me. They took me in when I needed family, and I won’t leave them again.
As soon as we’re out the door, Cal pulls me close enough to kiss my cheek. “Well done.”
“That was so much more terrifying than running.”
“But with a better outcome, right?”
“Much better.”
When we get to my car, he opens my door and asks, “What do you need now? Quiet or company?”
