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He let out a laugh. “Of course I’m sure. They don’t think that because it’s not true. I talked to them the night I broke up with Shelby. They both gave me advice.”
“What? They did?” I hadn’t known anything about that. Not that I would, necessarily, but I was still surprised.
“Yeah. They hated seeing me so torn up and miserable. They told me it was okay to want to end things with Shelby. That the world wouldn’t stop turning because of it, you know?”
I nodded. It felt like that awful time had happened a thousand years ago instead of about three weeks ago. It was funny how quickly things could change, how drastically your emotions could overcome the feeling of being wronged, and how easily you could let go of the things that no longer served you. I could have held on to my feelings of anger and betrayal toward Frank, but it wouldn’t have done any good. Hurting him would mean hurting myself as well, and that didn’t make sense.
Glancing at Frank, I asked, “So they’re happy that you’re happy?”
“You have no idea.” He grinned, and I admired his profile as he drove us to the restaurant.
We walked through the swinging doors holding hands, and I recognized his parents right away. Their faces practically lit up the room the moment they saw us.
His mom was naturally beautiful, with long light brown hair, and his dad was ridiculously handsome, a mix of all the boys in one. If there was any question how the three brothers had gotten so good-looking, the proof was standing right in front of me in the form of their parents.
His mom hugged me hard. “Claudia, it’s so nice to finally meet you.”
“It’s a pleasure,” his dad said before pulling me in for a hug too.
We all sat and ordered margaritas, and when they arrived, agreed how much better Ryan’s were. Dinner was easy, casual, and the conversation flowed like the all-you-could-eat chips and salsa that kept appearing at our table. Frank’s parents were accepting, kind and generous, treating us to the meal and sending us home with all the leftovers, which would keep Frank fed for a week.
I thanked them profusely, not only for the meal, but for raising such a great man. I’d thought I was lucky before meeting Frank’s parents, but now my gratitude cup was overflowing.
“I’ve never seen my son so happy.” His mom hugged me as we said our good-byes. “Thank you.”
My eyes welled up with tears. “Thank you for being so kind.”
She gripped my shoulders as she said softly, “We loved Shelby. She was a nice girl but she wasn’t right for Frank, and I always knew that. This is different. You’re different. And I know that too. I hope my son makes you half as happy as you make him.”
“Jeez.” I launched into her arms once more and hugged her tight. “He does; he really and truly does. I never knew I could be this happy.”
She pulled back and touched my cheek, her eyes shining. “I’m glad. You both deserve it.”
I watched as she and her husband walked out of the door, his arm draped around her shoulders. Frank and I followed close behind, our own hands intertwined. My heart was so full, I thought it migh
t burst.
“They’re really great,” I said once we were in the car.
“They loved you,” he said, his words pushing away any lingering doubts.
It was far too easy fitting into this family. I’d never experienced such a thing before, and honestly, had no idea that I could.
Maybe this was how fate worked. Maybe all the pieces fell together perfectly when you were with the right person.
I wasn’t sure, but a girl could hope.
Forever Frank
Claudia
We drove toward Marina del Rey, and I shouldn’t have been the least bit surprised when we pulled into one of the only high-rise buildings in the city. He drove us underground and parked in an assigned spot. The number of expensive foreign cars parked around us was a clear sign that this wasn’t affordable housing.
“This is where you live?” I asked.
“Wait till you see the view,” he said before opening my door and helping me out. He clicked the remote, and the car beeped as it locked.
Frank led us toward a small bank of elevators, and one appeared less than ten seconds after he had pushed the button. The doors opened and I stepped inside, noticing how perfectly clean the mirrored walls were. There wasn’t a single fingerprint that I could see, making me wonder idly how often they cleaned them. As the doors closed, Frank pressed the button for the twelfth floor and the elevator rose quickly.
