Page 41 of Craving Francesca

“What can I say? I bounce back quickly.”

God, she was pretty. Her hair was pulled back in a big knot at the top of her head, but little wispy pieces fell out all over, framing her face. Freckles covered her nose and the tops of her cheeks. She had brown eyes, but they weren’t dark like mine, more of a chocolate brown color with bits of green around the edges. Her mouth was wide, and when she smiled for real, it took up damn near half of her face. There wasn’t a single thing about her that was unattractive, and fuck, I really needed to stop staring at her.

“Left the keys on the counter,” I informed her, straightening. “You need anything else before I go?”

“Are you kidding?” She rose to her feet. “You’ve already done way more than enough. I owe you.”

“I’ll always accept a marker,” I joked. “Take care of yourself, yeah?”

I wasn’t expecting her to throw herself at me, and it took a moment for me to wrap my arms around her as she hugged me.

“Seriously,” she said, her face muffled against my shoulder. “That was really cool of you.”

She didn’t let go, so I didn’t either, dropping my chin to kiss the hair above her ear.

Frankie let out an uncomfortable laugh as she finally pulled away, her eyes glassy.

“I’ll let you get back to moppin’,” I said as I moved toward the door. “Lock up behind me.”

“I will.”

She stood in the kitchen until after I’d gone, but I heard the dead bolt slide into place as I stepped down the porch stairs.

Something was going on with Frankie that she didn’t want anyone to know about, and I had no idea whether it was because she was embarrassed or because she didn’t want anyone to worry. She was so close to Myla and Lou that it didn’t make any sense she hadn’t wanted me to call them. I mulled it over as I rode home, different scenarios cycling through my brain. I needed a final puzzle piece, and it would be so fucking easy to get into the clinic’s computer system and get it—but I wouldn’t.

Francesca Marino had a right to keep things private, even if I knew it was going to drive me fucking crazy. If she wanted to keep shit to herself, I’d respect it. That didn’t mean that I wouldn’t be keeping an eye on her.

Chapter 5

Frankie

“Ilove thissong,” Lou yelled over the music, shaking her hips from side to side.

“This song blows,” Brody countered. “What is this shit?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I swayed in place, letting the music soothe me.

We’d taken over Cian and Myla’s place for the night, but they didn’t seem to mind. Cian was currently playing beer pong with Rumi on the kitchen table, and Myla was pulling random shit out of the fridge in an attempt to feed everyone.

“We should just order Chinese,” I called as I made my way over to her, my steps a little unsteady. “That sounds so good.”

“How the hell are we going to order Chinese food for all these people?” she asked with a laugh, throwing her arm out.

“I’ll take up a collection!” I spun on my heel and stomped over to Rumi. “You want Chinese food?”

“Fuck yeah.”

“Pay up,” I ordered, sticking my hand out. He immediately slapped a twenty in it.

“That works,” Myla said with a shrug.

I made my way through the house, asking people for cash. Every single one of them handed me money with no argument. By the time I made it to the far end of the living room, I had more than enough to order a feast, but fair was fair, so I put out my hand when I reached Gray and Brody’s little brother Jamison.

“You guys want Chinese food?”

“Sure,” Jamison said as they both reached for their wallets. He handed me a twenty.

Gray handed me a fifty.

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