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“Frankie’s just worried,” Penn continues. “Mandy’s her big sister, and she loves her. She’s afraid Mandy will never find another relationship because she’s in love with you.”
Emotion roils through me. And it’s…goodemotion. Which is bizarre because I don’t do relationships.
You’re the other half of me, Mandy.
“It’s probably just a crush,” I say, trying my best to sound dismissive.
Surely I’d know if Mandy had those kinds of feelings for me. Wouldn’t I?
“Maybe it’s just a crush. Maybe you’re right.” Penn stands. “I just thought you should know. Last night, at the hospital, well, I started to wonder if Frankie was right. And maybe you should…nip it in the bud or whatever.”
“And Frankie’s okay with you telling me this?”
“She’s just worried about her wedding, I think. Mandy being her maid of honor and all. She wants Mandy to be happy. And…”
I resist an eye roll. “She doesn’t want anything to ruin the wedding.”
“Well…yeah. It’s been a long time coming for both of us.”
“Mandy is Frankie sister. She’ll be happy at the wedding. Weddings are happy occasions.”
Penn nods. His demeanor is…not exactly that of a happy groom-to-be, though. But that’s none of my business. The only part of this that’s my business is Mandy. Besides, the only reason I even give two shits about this wedding is because of Mandy. Penn and Frankie have been on-again, off-again so many times, I’m still not convinced this wedding will occur.
“Thanks for your time,” Penn says. “I just wanted you to know.”
“I appreciate your candor. Don’t tell Mandy any of this, okay?”
“Of course not. Gentlemen’s club and all. Bros before hoes.”
Bros before hoes? Did he really just say that? First of all, Penn and I are not bros. I tolerate him for Mandy’s sake. And Mandy and Frankie aredefinitelynot hoes. Penn is such an overgrown frat brat, as Mandy says. I sometimes hope they get into another fight and call off this farce. Mandy’s sister deserves better. I’m almost as close to her as I am to Mandy, although in a totally different way. I was two when she was born, and there’s a photo of Mandy and me sitting in an armchair and holding baby Frankie.
I simply nod and heave a sigh of relief when he shuts the door behind me.
Frankie thinks Mandy is in love with me.
A couple of months ago, that thought would’ve scared the hell out of me.
Now? It still scares the hell out of me.
But for a completely different reason.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Amanda
Treasure’s Chest opens at ten a.m. on Monday, and I go in. My nerves are about ready to jump out of my body. Will Mary be here? Will she remember she sold me a corset? Will I be able to look her in the eye knowing she’s been with Jackson?
My worries are for nothing, though, as Mary’s not in.
“May I help you?” a salesclerk asks.
“Yes”—I eye the name tag on the blond woman’s shirt—“Eileen. I was here a few days ago, and I understand you…have classes?”
Damn the inflection in my voice! I need to be empowered. That’s why I’m interested in the classes, after all.
I clear my throat. “I understand you have classes.”
There. That’s better.
