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"That's very sweet of him to help." Jo's toned shifted subtly, and suddenly Frankie realized that her mother likely didn't need the coffee she'd sent Dom to find, and that this wasn't an innocent conversation. If there was one thing that hadn't changed her entire life, it was her mom's we-need-to-have-a-talk voice.
"Ma…"
"I just want to know what's going on in your life."
"There is nothing going on except me busting my ass to make this show a success."
"So much like your father." Jo sighed and ran her hand down Frankie's still-wet hair.
Shewasa lot like her dad. Only when her mom said it, it didn't sound like a good thing. Frankie couldn't help herself. "And that's bad?"
"I know you idolize your father, and that you are trying so hard to keep your promise to Gabe. But I am your mother and I have a few things to say. Brace yourself."
Frankie took a deep, deliberate breath before turning in her chair to fully face her mother. "Hit me."
Jo smiled softly at her antics before she crossed her hands in her lap and all of the expression leached out of her face. "I married a man who is very headstrong, driven, ambitious. He poured his energy into his family business, and we've had a good life. Losing Gabe…it woke me up. I'd been going along, making everything work, to follow his plans, for years. I didn't realize how little voice I had in our marriage until I spoke up and tried to use it, only to be ignored. Over the last two years, I've seriously considered leaving."
Frankie picked her jaw up off the floor long enough to ask, "Why did you stay?"
"Because even when he's driving me insane, he's my person. I love him. And I haven't given up hope that we can find a new normal. It's also terrifying to think of starting over alone after a lifetime together."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I see the way Jake watches you when you're not looking. And I see the way a phone call makes you beam. Be careful, baby. Working with the person you love is complicated and hard. I don't want you to compromise your dreams like I did."
"Ma, you are way ahead of me. No one said anything about love or marriage. Hell, we've only shared one kiss. There's no chance of anything there."
"Just be careful. You are too much like your father to react well to someone trying to run your life."
"Like I'd ever let that happen. You don't have to worry, Ma." Frankie leaned over and pressed a kiss to her mother's cheek.
"Whatever you say, baby."
CHAPTER11
Frankie and Jowere alone again, Dom off on a dinner run, when Jake walked through the waiting room doors later that night and hovered, a gold and white gift bag dangling awkwardly from his fingertips. She replayed her mother's words, checking them for truth. They had only shared a kiss, and most of the time she wanted to throttle him. But looking at him all shy and unsure of his welcome made her want to pull him closer and indulge in a few more.
But a few kisses, no matter how hot, did not a relationship make. They were too alike, both too used to being in charge. They would burn hot and fast, going down in a blaze of mutually assured destruction. But damn, what a way to go.
Still, he looked so alone, standing there looking ready to bolt. She couldn't leave him hanging. She rose to meet him.
"Whatcha got there?" she asked.
"A little gift for mama & baby."
"And the house?"
"I left Rico and Winston with the punch list. Trina is hanging out to do a little filming."
"Fi is going to be so surprised. I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner."
Jake's excited grin drew her in. She liked sharing this secret with him. For a moment she just stood there a little too close, and watched him smile a little too long, and matched it with her own. The shared joy was palpable.
Jo cleared her throat and broke the spell. Stepping back, Frankie sat down and Jake took the seat next to her, replacing the sterile, cold, antiseptic smell with his own warm, manly scent. His thigh pressed into hers, firm and unyielding, cloaked in denim. Frankie tried to pay attention to the conversation, but her focus was consumed by the fire burning through her leg where it touched his.
"I'm just going to duck in and see how we're doing." Jo rose from her chair. "If Dom comes back with food, send him in."
"Sure, Ma."
