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Hidden in the close space again—this time outfitted with full racks of wine and the sparkling mini chandelier—Frankie let the memories engulf her. She stopped on the last stair, bringing her closer to his height, and held out her arms. He stepped into them and gave her the crushing hug she needed. She'd been an emotional wreck trying to keep it all together, and damn him, she'd missed having him to depend on.
"Missed you too," he murmured against her neck, his head resting on her shoulder. She felt the tension drain out of them both as they stood in the quiet, wrapped up in each other.
"I'm sorry."
Their voices twined through those simple words. She wasn't sure who said it first, but it didn't matter. She kept talking.
“I was angry about the manipulations and stressed from the fire, but I shouldn’t have accused you of having anything to do with it, and I’m sorry. I can kind of understand why you did what you did with the tiles and stuff now that I’ve seen how you put together an episode, but it really hurt to find out you'd been putting me through hell while we'd been…whatever it was we were doing," she finished lamely, not wanting to put names to actions just now.
He took half a step back and moved his hands to cup her face. “You don’t have to apologize. I made this job harder behind your back, because that's how these shows work. I never expected to fall for you. Once we were together, I should have told you and worked out a better solution. You were right to be mad. I was wrong, and I am sorry.”
She let his words sink in, and it helped fill in a few of the cracks he'd made on her heart. A little apology spackle went a long way.
“During the reunion, I had this epiphany that all the while I thought I was being independent, I was really just keeping people at arm's length so I wouldn't get hurt when they inevitably left me. Turns out it still hurts. I don't want you to leave me. My home doesn't feel right because you're not there. My head doesn't think straight for wondering what you'd say. And my heart… My heart tells me I'm a complete idiot daily since we've been apart.” He pulled his arm tighter around her waist, dropping his forehead to hers.
“I don’t want to lose you either, but how are we going to make this work? We are both stubborn, headstrong, and believe we know how best to get things done,” Frankie pointed out.
He hesitated a moment, and she didn’t breathe until his hands slid up into her hair.
"Figuring that out will be part of the fun. I think if we keep doing this honesty thing and the talking thing, this other thing will be just fine."
"Oh, and what's this 'other thing'?" Frankie whispered, close enough to feel her lips brush against his.
"This falling in love thing," he replied before taking her lips in a soft and quiet kiss.
Frankie tightened her arms and pulled him flush against her, needing to feel him, needing to believe this was real. “God, I love you too.”
They kissed as if it was the first time. They kissed like it was the last time. Like new lovers, and old friends. She never wanted it to end.
But there was a party happening, and they needed him too. She could share for a little while longer. She made herself pull back from the kiss, and was gratified that it took him a moment to compose himself as well.
“So where do we go from here?” she asked.
“Back up those stairs with two bottles of prosecco for your mom.”
“Ha ha. I’m serious.”
“So am I. We go up there and celebrate like crazy with your family. There will be plenty of time for us to work things out. I’m not going anywhere. Let me prove to you I’ve changed.”
“I’d like that.”
CHAPTER33
Jake popped open the prosecco,and it fizzled over as the cork flew into the yard. Everyone who’d gathered on the back deck cheered and passed around cups.
“Speech, speech, speech!”
Frankie cleared her throat and raised her glass. Jake watched her command the crowd's attention effortlessly.
“To the best damn crew in California. You took a chance on me, and we couldn’t have finished this project without your dedication and skill. You all are like family now, and I'll…” She choked up a little before pushing through it. “Thank you. For those of you who passed first inspections, your gift cards are here inside your final paychecks.”
She waved a stack of envelopes and grinned.
“Season three of MDash starts filming at the end of month. So, eat, drink, and be merry while you can! Cheers!”
Literal cheers erupted again, and Frankie started handing out envelopes and backslaps.
Jake raised his glass, and cleared his throat obnoxiously until everyone quieted down again. “What she said!” Everyone laughed. “Seriously, both crews did amazing work. Thank you."
