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“As I recall, I was explaining how we are going to run the shooting schedule next week and you were distracted by my butt.”
She was not going to let him win by distracting her with attraction again. "Agree to disagree. Look, we both want this show to succeed, right?"
"Sure…"
"I need to prove myself to Dad and not lose a hundred grand, and you need to prove yourself to the network?"
"Also true."
"I propose a truce. We are both going to need to do what we need to do to make this show a success. All this"—she waved her hand back and forth between them—"is a waste of time. I just want you to deal honestly with me."
“Where’s the fun in that?” he teased, but she could tell he was thinking about it.
“I wasn’t aware we were having fun," Frankie tossed back pointedly. "I thought this was about business. You don't have to pretend to flirt with me to get me to play along. I'm not some Hollywood actress who needs smoke blown up her ass. I'd rather you treat me just like everyone else."
He cocked his head to the side and assessed her through hooded eyes. “And how is that?"
"You know, just like one of the guys. Play it straight, Jake, and we can both succeed with a minimum of fuss."
"I don’t know. Fussing with you is damn entertaining.”
"I'm not here to entertain you. I'm here to win. Let's win together." She held out her hand and waited for a heavy moment until he took it in his and sealed the deal with a handshake.
"Deal. Here's to getting what we both want."
Frankie pulled her hand back from his and shivered. She chose to believe he hadn't meant that as a double entendre, but damn if it didn't make her think about all the things she wanted from him and couldn't have.
CHAPTER8
Jake stoodin front of a beautiful Craftsman-style home with an immaculate lawn, and shifted the flowers and wine onto one arm so he could ring the doorbell. The house was a showcase for their businesses, and the care and attention to detail was obvious in every trimmed rose bush and freshly painted shutter. The house glowed in the California sunset. It was Friday night, and he’d been invited to the Valentis' home for dinner.
He had been here for Christmas Eve, and Christmas morning as it turned out, but this was the first time he’d been invited to their weekly family meal. His stomach flip-flopped at that thought. Jake laughed under his breath and shook his head. He was being ridiculous, but being invited to this smaller dinner felt like more of a triumph than joining a huge crew of people around the Christmas tree.
He hoped this boded well for the family trusting him, and that he wasn’t walking into an ambush. Things had been quiet since he and Frankie had reached détente, but he wasn't sure how Jo was handling the demands of the new show on her family.
Still, he jolted when Frankie opened the wide wooden door instead of Jo.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” She leaned against the doorjamb with her arms crossed, a beer dangling from her fingers, dark eyes suspicious. Her feet were bare and crossed at the ankle. He caught himself staring at her toes, so small but so strong. Like everything else about her.
Jake cleared his throat and lifted the gifts in his arms. “I’m here for dinner?”
“Oh. Ma didn’t mention it."
"Do you think I'm lying?"
"No, I only thought it was odd for the doorbell to be ringing. Friday night is family night.”
“For God’s sake, let the man in!” Jo called from somewhere behind Frankie.
Frankie stepped back from the door as Jo bustled up the hallway.
“I swear I raised them all with manners. Some took better than others." Jo leaned up and bussed his cheeks before relieving him of the wine and flowers he’d brought. "Come on in, Jake. It’s good to see you again.”
“Thank you for having me. I hope it’s not too much trouble.”
“The more the merrier on a Friday night.” Jo smiled and nodded her head toward the kitchen. “Come with me while I put these in water.”
Jake followed Jo, and Frankie trailed behind him. He was sure the burning sensation he felt at the back of his neck was just his imagination and not Frankie watching him. Maybe she was checking out his ass again… He suppressed a chuckle at the memory.
