Page 60 of For the Love of Art

“A rough week at work all that got you down, boo?”

“Yeah.”

“I know you probably don’t need me to say it, but there’s always a spot for you at the cheese shop.”

I smiled. “Thanks.”

Frankie was sweet– he always had been. Of course, I didn’t want my position at the cheese shop back, but knowing it would always be there felt good.

“It’s more than your job, isn't it?” Frankie asked.

“How did you know?”

“Years of being your friend. Spill.”

I took a deep breath. “I’m confused.”

“About what?”

I looked over Frankie’s head to see that Lianne had returned. She held a glass of white wine, and her eyebrows were practically at her hairline.

She handed Frankie his wine and sat down. “Well?”

“Don.”

“Cause he’s working at the gallery?”

“What?” Frankie reacted to the news so violently half his wine spilled on the table. “Why am I just hearing about this?”

“Don does not work at the gallery.”

“At, for– what’s the difference?”

“The difference is that the company Don works for was hired to do the marketing for the gallery. I work at the gallery as an employee.”

“Okay, well, that’s shitty, but why do you feel confused?” Frankie asked.

“I might be… attracted… to Nathan.”

Lianne gripped Frankie’s arm so tightly he yelped. “You’re admitting it out loud?”

“Okay, and now I’m done.”

“Oh, no, no, no!” Lianne wiggled her index finger. “You are expanding on this because when Nathan tried to kiss you, you ran.”

“Nathan tried to kiss her?”

I reached out and patted Frankie’s hand. His eyes were so wide I was worried they would pop out of his head.

“It’s not as exciting a story as you’d think.”

“I don’t care! I feel like I am out of the loop, and frankly, it hurts.”

I buried my face in my hands and groaned.

“Oh, sweetie. We’re sorry. Frankie knows this isn’t about him, and I shouldn’t tease you about all this.”

I looked up. “I don’t want to be one of Nathan’s many.”